Scoutmaster Moment
With apologies for the delayed note this week, I got my 2nd COVID shot Saturday and have been recuperating.
I hope everyone enjoyed Spring Break and had an opportunity to relax some.  Our family enjoyed some nice hikes and visited some new parks on the days with good weather.  This has me looking forward to our campout later this month and getting out for more outings in the nicer weather.  We have many activities coming up with ILST to hone our leadership skills and plan Troop activities, a Court of Honor to celebrate all we’ve accomplished in the last 6 months and a New Scout Campout to hone our Scout skills.  I hope for good weather, but we will all plan for whatever comes because Scouts are Prepared.
Announcements
Hammock Planning
Hammock weather is coming up soon! Did you know you can hang a hammock with no trees, even while camping?  Check out this article about using hammock stands when out camping, these range from big back yard furniture to something that could be use backpacking. Some of these are a great way to practice lashings too. This year’s Summer Camp has no trees near most campsites, now is a great time to experiment with options if you want to lounge in a hammock or consider hammock camping at Summit (hammock campers must have earned First Class and have Scoutmaster approval).
Basketry Merit Badge Opportunity
Interested in working on the Basketry Merit Badge? Basket making is fun, creative, and a great way to build your own storage options from many materials :). Ms. Kathy is looking for anyone interested in working with her.  She worked with a group of Scouts who have recently wrapped up much of their work and would like to have another group start.
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week  – 4/6 – Troop Meeting 
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
Our first meeting after Spring Break, welcome back. The Rascal Rabbits will be working on a First Aid activity
New Scout Campout pre-Shakedown.  Our first campout of 2021 and our first campout for all the New Scouts is in less than two weeks from this meeting.
  • Menu planning for the campout will begin, and grub masters for each patrol selected.
  • Action Packs and troop camping gear should be checked, especially as it has been a bit since our last campout
  • Patrols will work on their station plans for the campout
  • All NewTrons Patrol members are to come to the meeting prepared to leave for camp (and anyone else in need of Tenderfoot requirement 1a)   ASPL New Scouts will lead a process to review grear and assess how new scouts have packed their gear. This action to ensure they have what they need and make sure they don’t bring unnecessary gear (its only 48hrs).
    • This means their overnight bag packed with all needed gear, including sleeping bag.  This does not require a backpack, a duffle bag is fine.
    • See the attached permission slip for packing list.  This permission slip, signed by a parent/guardian, is required to attend the campout and will be turned in on the Friday of the campout – it is not to be turned in at shakedown.
    • 893G Scout Megan has made a great video on what gear to pack, and how to pack it. Be sure to review it before packing
This Week  – 4/11 – Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops 
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
Who: All Scouts in a Position of Responsibility from most recent election 
This is an all-day activity learning about leadership skills and a troop PLC to plan activities for the new leadership term.  All scouts holding a position in the new term are expected to attend.
Parental support is needed with food for breakfast and snacks.  Lunch will be pizza.  We’ll send out more info on what is needed.
Next Week  – 4/13 – Court of Honor 
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
This meeting will have two parts
    1. Court of Honor to induct the new leadership team and recognize efforts of everyone in Troop 893G over the last term.  This is a celebration, families are invited to attend.  Due to COVID, we are currently planning for this to be outside at the Activity Field, and everyone should bring camp chairs for sitting.  Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and will not include food celebration at this time. Merit badge sashes are good to wear at a CoH
      • All scouts earning rank advancement and merit badges since the last CoH will be recognized
      • The new Scout Leadership team will be inducted
      • Other awards or service also recognized
  1. Final Shakedown for New Scout Campout 
    • will finalize menu,
    • answer any questions, and
    • make sure grub masters are set
    • Grubmaster fee turn in ($15) for anyone who has not done so yet
    • Final equipment checks and patrol station plans
Next Week  – New Scout Campout 4/16-18 
Uniform: travel in Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: Poplar Grove Campground, Frederick MD (meet at CUMC) 
Campout weekend! This year we will be at the Poplar Grove youth site at Catoctin Mountain National Park, near Thurmont MD. While referred to as “New Scout Campout”, this is a campout for the entire troop to attend.  New Scouts will test their current skills and learn new skills and techniques from experienced Scouts utilizing the EDGE method.  These activities will support requirements towards Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class.
All those attending must bring a signed copy of the attached permission slip to the Troop Assembly at CUMC on April 16 @ 6pm (no exceptions). 
Scouts will not be making dinner Friday evening, so please be sure to eat something prior to departure.Participation by Nova Corp Scouts is highly recommended since the following ranks are likely to be completed in full or part (Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class & 1st Class).

Tenting 

Scouts will have 4 options (2nd Class  Req 1a). The Troop will provide tents as needed.

  • Solo tent
  • Hammock (requires Scoutmaster permission, typically 1st Class rank and requires proper rain protection)
  • Two Scouts, siblings or signed permission of both parents if unrelated.
  • Scout with Parent (ONLY New Scouts, see Scoutmaster)
 

Transportation  

All Scouts attending must be transported by a parent to/from CUMC and the camping site on Friday evening and Sunday morning.

Cooking/Meals

All cooking is done using the patrol method with a grub master selected during shakedown
  • Based on the # of Scouts attending, small patrols will be organized.
  • A New Scout will act as the grubmaster with support from older Scouts which satisfies 2nd Class 2e.
  • Grubmaster collects a fee of $15/Scout to support the meal plan developed with their patrol. Grubmaster shops for the food and brings items to the campout.
 

Gear   

In addition to the items on the permission slip (attached), the following are mandatory.

  • Mask – Scouts should bring 1-2 masks.
  • Hand Sanitizer – Each Scout should have a small personal bottle with them at all times as part of safety protocol. The Troop will have large bottles on site, but hygiene starts with the Scout.
  • Water Bottle – Reminder this is already required. Recommend a Nalgene or similar bottle that can be fully sealed.
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). 
4/6 – New Scout Campout Prep – Rascal Rabbits
4/11 – Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops – all Scouts with Position of Responsibility should plan to attend
4/13 – Court of Honor
4/16-18 – New Scout Campout at Poplar Grove
Awards Opportunities – New Section
Religious Emblem Opportunity (Catholic emblem)
A note sent out on 3/23 mentioned BSA Religious Emblems program and an offer from Ms. Kris to mentor any Scouts interested in earning the Catholic emblem.  Please reach out to her if you are interested in this opportunity.  The religious knot is one of the few BSA recognition awards that transfer to the adult uniform when earned as a youth. The other two are Arrow of Light earned while in Cub Scout program and the Eagle rank.
EPA 50th Anniversary BSA Award
“To commemorate the agency’s 50th anniversary last year, the Boy Scouts of America and EPA signed a memorandum of understanding to create a special award, encouraging those in the Scouts BSA program to strive to protect the environment. The award, which features a patch, requires Scouts to earn environmental and community health-focused merit badges and participate in a service project.”
Can only be earned in 2021 (MB can be earned before 2021), requires:
  • 6 Environmental or Public Health service hours during 2021
  • Public Health Merit Badge
  • 1 Animal Study MB
  • 1 Outdoor Activity MB
  • 1 Earth Science MB
Congressional Award Recognition
Did you know there is a congressional award that encompasses activities you do as a Scout? You read that correctly, by being active in Scouting activities you could earn the Congressional Award.  See the Bryan on Scouting article for more information.  Important Tip: you must register for the program before working off items (this is not an “after the fact” submission)
Service Opportunities
All ranks require service hours, Life rank also requires at least 3 hours be Conservation related
Camp Snyder Work Days – These are monthly days where volunteers are invited out to Camp Snyder to help keep it in condition to support the many scouting units and events in the Council.
 
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)
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

APR 11 – ILST
APR 13 – CoH
APR 16-18 – New Scout Campout (Poplar Grove Campground, Thurmont MD)
MAY 28-30 – Shenandoah 893 Memorial Day Weekend Family Canoe Trip Campout
JUN 20-26 2021 – Summer Camp at Summit Bechtel