Scoutmaster Moment
Today is President’s Day, held on (or closest Monday to) George Washington’s birthday and now often celebrates Abraham Lincoln as well. Both presidents are known by all Americans, and beyond, as our first and sixteenth presidents. for founding our Presidency and restoring our Union. We see them as always successful in winning a Revolutionary War, the Civil War and winning two presidential elections. But those are the successes we see in only skimming our history, if we dig deeper we see that both of them worked hard through many setbacks to gain those successes. Washington was denied a commission as a British officer after fighting alongside them in the French and Indian Wars (our history may have been very different if he had been granted that commission), he lost many battles during the Revolution but won key ones and the heart of the people. Lincoln was defeated in his first election for state legislature, and first nomination for Congress. He was denied in his application as Commissioner of the Land Office, defeated when ran again for state legislature followed by defeat in nomination for Vice President and again when he ran for Senate. But he didn’t give up, his run for President was successful. We all have a choice when we hit setbacks, to persist on or back down. Sometimes we need a reminder that persistence can pay off, and is often found behind every success we see in others.
Announcements
Welcome New Scout Families
You are getting added to the weekly Troop News email list. We will hold an Info Session at the March 16th meeting to fill you in on how the troop functions, the Troop calendar and more – please put it on your calendars. We will also provide lots of info then about summer camp. Meanwhile, you can reach out with questions. We’ll be sure to keep you informed of any important items you need before then.
Meetings at CUMC
All Scout meetings at CUMC remain on hold for right now. More info will be shared as we hear from the church. This means that weekly meetings will be virtual until allowed to meet again.
Scouts in the (School) News
Many of you helped work on Megan’s Eagle Project at her high school, this week her school email included a nod to her project and rank advancement.
Eagle Scout
Please join me in congratulating Megan Staton who recently passed her Eagle Board and was granted the title Eagle Scout. For her project, she refurbished the Westfield Lecture Hall. In this work, she repainted walls, added black and gold striping, and reframed and mounted class photos of all of our graduated classes. She did not do this work alone. As a leader, she led 23 adolescents and adults in this work which was done over 130 collective hours.
Megan is a senior and a founding member of Boy Scouts Troop 893G. She has served in leadership positions as a patrol leader and senior patrol leader.
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week – 2/16 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
Step-by-step Painting activity – Moon Archers
This Week – Outing – 2/20 – Geocaching
Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B)
Location: Conway Robinson State Forest, Gainesville, VA 20155
Outdoor activity locating geocaches Conway Robinson State Forest park. This is a fun activity looking for hidden items using GPS clues. There is a Geocaching MB if anyone is interested as well, let Ms. Andrea know if you want the badge opened up for you.
Next Week – 2/23 – Patrol Leader’s
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
This week there is no general troop meeting, we will have a PLC with limited roles attending (noted below), however each Scout does have a responsibility to respond to their patrol leadership and provide ideas for the good of the troop. This PLC will plan for meeting activities and outings through late April, hopefully this will include some in-person meetings at the Activity Field as COVID restrictions are relieved. Prepping for the New Scout campout in April will be part of this timeframe as well.
All Scouts should be providing meeting and outing ideas to their patrol leaders. We expect to be virtual for weekly meetings through the month of January at least, but we can have weekend outings as long as we comply with state guidelines.
Ideas can be found within the Program Resources book (linked here, and will be physically present during discussion). Some upcoming meetings should include welcoming new scouts to the troop and helping them ramp up skills while polishing/advancing those of current scouts.
Purposes of Troop Meetings
• Prepare for outings.
• Learn and practice Scouting skills.
• Exercise leadership.
• Strengthen patrols.
• Promote advancement and personal growth.
• Inspire Scouts.
• Have fun.
This PLC will be a limited group focusing on planning. All participating Scouts should be in uniform, have something to take notes with. Roles expected to participate in this PLC:
SPL
ASPL
Patrol Leaders (Rascal Rabbits & Moon Archers)
Troop Guide
Scribe
JASM
Following Week – 3/2 – Troop Leadership Elections
It will soon again be time to select the troop’s Scout Leadership Team for the coming term. How will you serve the troop for the Spring/Summer 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. Patrol Quartermaster 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. Not all positions listed are needed in a troop our size (such as not all 4 ASPL), final positions are part of SPL decision with SM after elections are held.
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 attached, rank requirements for positions are currently considered as “preferred” and not “required” while the troop is growing.
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” is tentatively planned at the Activity field on 10 Apr for most of the day pending COVID restrictions.
Upcoming Activities per PLC
Patrols should plan ahead so meetings can be online (virtual) if necessary. Alternatively, activities could be planned as a weekend outing outside.
Patrols Leaders are reminded that plans for meetings should be submitted to the SPL and Scoutmaster 2 weeks in advance (at minimum).
2/16 – Step-by-Step Painting – Moon Archers
2/20 – Outing – Geocaching (park is TBD)
2/23 – PLC (limited attendance)
3/2 – Leadership Elections (all) & Organizational Skills for Scouts – Moon Archers
Service Opportunities
All ranks require service hours, Life rank also requires at least 3 hours be Conservation related