893G Troop News – 6 SEP 2020 – BSA – Troop 893

Scoutmaster Moment
A Scouting friend and former Scoutmaster shared one of her past notes and I felt it was appropriate to share with you for this week and the start of school. While this year may not be the start we are used to, I’m sure everyone will make the most of the opportunities that come up.

Back to School, Back to Scouts.

As we are getting ready to go back to school tomorrow with renewed purpose, also consider going back to Scouts with the same. The extra time you spend on your classes and in your unit will have rewards that shape the rest of your life.

Just as you build your academic resume, build your Scouting resume. Progress through the ranks, try a new merit badge, earn your religious emblem. Take on a leadership position if you don’t have one. Nowhere else in your life can you practice being a leader before you will be tasked to be one as an adult.

It’s easy to take for granted that your parents will send you to college; harder to do your part to help them get you there. Earn your academic letter and/or a place on the Honor Roll. There is a check box on many college and scholarship applications for Eagle Rank. These are things that only YOU can do.

So I would ask everyone, what will your priorities be this year? Will you give up time spent on games and social media for the future rewards of hard work? Will you go beyond homework and do extra credit? Will you find 1.5 hours on Wednesday nights for fellowship, leadership and fun? Go camping, serve others and bring a friend to the program. Move Scouting up on your list of things to do. This is the challenge!

I wish everyone a great academic and Scouting year!

– Lorraine Lince, SM Troop 63

Announcements

Activity Reminders
All who come to any Troop related activity will be asked some health screening questions, please check-in with the screener when you arrive.
Sick individuals must stay home
Individuals must take their temperature the day of the gathering and may NOT attend if their temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Face coverings are required for all individuals at any gathering and must be worn for the entire duration of the gathering.
No one with symptoms of COVID-19 or known exposure to COVID-19 in the prior 14 days is allowed to attend any gathering.

Activity Field Considerations
Camp chairs or waterproof blanket for sitting (such as Tyvek pieces) are recommended
Hand sanitizer and a face covering should be considered part of your uniform (right there with bringing your handbook)
Bring a water bottle, a flashlight may also be a good idea as it is getting dark when we dismiss and clean up
It is outdoors, and bugs can be about – bug spray is also good to have (note: be sure to apply away from other people)
We do not have access to the church restrooms, please plan ahead

Award Recognition Deadline
Our Fall (now Year Recognition) CoH is scheduled for Oct 13th, all submissions of award recognition (completed blue cards, STEM awards, rank advancement, etc) must be turned into Ms Kathy two weeks in advance so everything can be prepared. Due date: 29 Sept

For the past couple of weeks blue card status has been getting reconciled to ensure actual cards exist for badges worked over COVID lockdown, and all MBU cards have been sorted out. If you have not completed this or have outstanding blue cards, see Ms Kathy asap. Incomplete (“partial”) blue cards that you physically hold are not included in this.

Summer Camp
Refunds for Summer Camp 2020 at Summit Bechtell Reserve have been processed. Families that paid money towards camp for 2020 should have received a check this past week. If you have any questions, please contact Steve Barnett (sbarnett1066@gmail.com), Ernie Barreto (ernie_barreto@yahoo.com), or Knut Skare (kskare@kskares.com).

The Summer Camp Team will begin collecting Summer Camp money in Jan / Feb 2021 for Summer Camp 2021 (20-26 June 2021)

TROOP MEETING OUTLOOK

Fall Elections / ILST / CoH
We are coming up on the time for the next term to start. Dates for key events in new leadership term as as follows, please let me know as soon as possible if your family schedule has a conflict that may impact your ability to attend these dates in person.
Troop Leadership Elections for Fall/Winter term: Tues 9/22/2020
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST): Sun 10/11/2020 (only for scouts in positions of responsibility for Fall/Winter term)
Fall CoH (covering everything since 2019 Fall CoH): Tue 10/13/2020

This Week – 9/8 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: painting clothes
Location: CUMC Activity Field

The Moon Archers and Pandas patrol from the Boys Troop will work with both troops to Get Oriented and help new scouts learn how to orient a map, develop a pace count and follow a simple course.
This is also an opportunity for Scouts to start or work on elements of Camping and Orienteering merit badges.

Scouts should come with a compass, extras will be available if someone does not have one yet. Note that a compass is part of the 10 Essentials, also called Scouts Basic Essentials (see Hiking section of your Scout Handbook, pg 238 of 14th ed).
https://scoutingmagazine.org/2013/02/the-10-essentials/
https://boyslife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/6976/scout-outdoor-essentials-checklist/
A pocket knife and fire starting kit are also part of the 10 Essentials, as a reminder only scouts who have earned the Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit may carry these.

Eagle Project Sep 12, 19, 20, & 26: Megan Staton (893G)
Uniform: painting clothes
Location: Westfields HS

Paint the WHS lecture hall (see attached flyer). Multiple dates are planned in part due limited numbers permitted the building. If the project goes quickly, the later slots may not be needed – sign up early to get a slot (especially if you need service hours!)

Next Week – 9/15 – Patrol Night this week (no Troop Meeting)
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B)
Location: To be Determined (TBD) by each Patrol

Each Patrol will decide on a Patrol activity to occur some time during this week, day/time/location is Patrol choice.

Plans for each patrol is due to Scoutmaster by 9/12, should include details of where, when and COVID safety measures (in accordance with 893 guidance).

Following Week – 9/22 – Troop Leadership Elections
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B)
Location: To be Determined (TBD) by each Patrol

It is again time to select the troop’s Scout Leadership Team for the coming term. How will you serve the troop for the Fall/Winder term, and give back to those who have helped you advance?

We hold elections each Spring and Fall, with leadership training and Court of Honor to recognize the incoming team (and many other individual recognitions). Positions above First Class have advancement requirements that include holding a position of responsibility to demonstrate leadership. As a small “young” troop we currently also have an opportunity for all registered scouts to hold a position, regardless of their current rank.

SPL is selected by troop-wide election, Patrol Leaders are chosen from patrol election. All other positions require interested scouts to place their name on sign-up sheets on Election Day (ranking your choices is advised) for consideration by incoming SPL and Scoutmaster.

In all cases you must be present to be considered. If for some reason you are unable to attend that day, please see me ASAP.

Anyone interested in SPL or PL must talk with me prior to election.

If you are interested in a position, speak with someone in that position now to understand it better.

The 893GT Leadership Position description document is currently getting updated and will be posted soon.

Anyone holding a leadership position is expected to attend leadership training (interchangeably called Junior Leadership Training or Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops). Our “ILST” will be held at the Activity field on 11 Oct for most of the day.

Upcoming Meetings
9/22 – Leadership Elections – any Scout interested in SPL or PL should speak with me
9/29 – Knots, Fire, and Knives (Rascal Rabbits)
10/6 – Catch Up (Moon Archers)
10/11 – Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) at Activity Field – all Scouts in Position of Responsibility must attend
10/13 – Court of Honor (all requested recognition due to Ms Kathy by 9/29)
10/20 – Campout Shakedown
10/27 – Halloween event meeting

Start of School and Related Merit Badge Opportunities
Merit badges can be earned outside of summer camp and Merit Badge University (MBU) held by the troop, and this year many online opportunities. Sometimes there are merit badge related activities going on all around us, including school coursework. A Bryan on Scouting article lists some options based on school studies, while it lists 5, reality is that many of your required studies, elective courses, and outside activities such as clubs, sports, band, etc offer opportunities too. Study the list of available badges to compare against activities you currently do, then talk to me if you have a blue card you wish to open.
Link to article: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2018/08/20/top-5-merit-badges-scouts-could-earn-while-completing-assignments-for-school/
Link to Merit badges: https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/

How to Complete a Blue Card – good tutorial on how they are used and who fills out what when: http://www.scoutmasterbucky.com/documents/SMBWorkbooks/Scoutmaster%20Bucky%20-%20How%20To%20Fill%20Out%20A%20Blue%20Card.pdf

Badges based on common school coursework & activities (list is not all-inclusive)
Scholarship
Reading
Theater
Programing, Digital Technology
PE & teams: Athletics, Personal Fitness
Band: Music, Bugling
Photography
Arts: Art, Sculpture
Chemistry
Civics: Citizenship in the World / Nation / Community
Clubs: Robotics, Chess, Astronomy, Entrepreneurship…

Service Opportunities
All ranks require service hours, Star rank also requires some hours be Conservations related

Eagle Scout Projects

Megan Staton (893G): Sep 12, 19, 20, & 26
Uniform: painting clothes
Location: Westfields HS

Jonathan Lee (893B): OCT 03:
Uniform: Class B
Location: Union Mill ES

Build a butterfly garden at Union Mill Elementary School (see attachment), October 3rd, at 9am until finished, no later than 2pm
This is an excellent opportunity to earn conservation service hours.
What to bring: a shovel/rake, water bottle, work gloves, and a mask.

SCOUTING FROM HOME

NCAC Scouting at Home page

DelMarVa Council Scouting from Home Page
This page has Merit Badge info, but also has a great “Trail to First Class” Knowledge Library to help you work on rank advancement from home. These include links to videos on some of the requirements to help review.

Tread Lightly online course (free)
https://tread-lightly.teachable.com/p/tread-lightly-youth-online-course?fbclid=IwAR0D0cOBOtAUzrJbOAU4jbib93v_nlhecygX-kHktBJ0WyTHWFIqIVFbE-I

Key Dates (mark your calendar)
Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar
Sep 8 – First Day FCPS
Sep 22 – Leadership Elections
Sep 29 – CoH recognition submission deadline
Oct 11 – ILST
Oct 13 – Court of Honor
Oct 23-25 – Campout (TBD)
Nov 6-8 – Mission Impossible Campout (Izaak Walton)