Scoutmaster Moment
Everyone has likely heard of Paul Revere and his Midnight Ride on 18 April 1775, did you know that a 16 year old girl made a similar ride two years after Paul Revere’s? On April 26, 1777 at the request of her father a Revolutionary Colonel, Sybil Ludington is said to have ridden her horse 40 miles through Danbury, Connecticut and Putnam County, New York to alert local militia that the British were coming. The story says she knocked on doors and warned the countryside of the coming attack – and even fought off a highwayman with her stick.  Her warning enabled over 400 soldiers to drive British troops from the area. There are statues of her in New York, and markers along the route she is said to have taken.  This ride certainly demonstrates Bravery, but also shows what one determined person can do to change an outcome regardless of their age.
We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.
– Sonia Johnson
Announcements
New Scout Troopmaster Login
The new scouts have been getting added into the system and login credentials are expected to be out soon.  Please look out for emails with that info and work with your Scout to get them into the app (if they have a phone).
Summer Camp Shakedown
Getting a group the size of our two troops off to annual summer camp is a major logistical undertaking, involving the support of many adults along the way. To streamline this the troops have a shakedown event a number of weeks before summer camp to get all the needed paperwork and various logistical items settled beforehand.  This year the committee has set June 1st as the summer camp shakedown date. Please be on the lookout for emails regarding this, they will have lots of information in them regarding what is needed at shakedown.  One key document will be the BSA Medical Form Part C – this requires a doctor’s signature tied to a physical within the last 12 months.  If your camper (adults included) has not had a physical after June 26, 2020 then a current physical with complete medical form is needed before camp this year.
893 Annual Canoe Trip
Troop 893 has had an annual Memorial Day weekend family canoe trip down part of the Shenandoah River going back to 1974, this has continued as both CUMC sponsored the 893 Crew and 893G.  Information on this trip is expected out this week, so look for email(s) about this.  The trip is great fun.  This campout is different from all other 893 campouts as the camping groups are family-based, not by usual scout patrol and Scouts must be with a parent.  Scouts camp with their family, and plan food with their family.  This is a great opportunity for Scouts who need to be Grubmasters (First Class requirements 2.a – 2.e).  Note that families can cooperate to form a joint “patrol”.  I’m happy to help with any questions you may have regarding this campout.
Rank Advancement
Congrats to the 1 scout who made Scout rank!
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week  – 4/27 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
Photography Basics & Challenge
  • The Rascal Rabbits will teach some photography basic concepts and then run a Photo Challenge between patrols.
  • Scouts should bring something that will take photos, such as a phone or camera.
Reminder
  • Anyone who took home a troop tent to clean and dry should plan to bring that back to the Patrol QM for return to the trailer.
  • Patrol “action packs” should also be returned to the Patrol QM for proper stowing.
Next Week  – 5/4 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
The Moon Archers are leading a team activity
Following Week  – 5/11 – Troop Meeting
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
The Rascal Rabbits will lead the troop through hiking prep activities in advance of our five mile hike through Manassas Battlefield planned for 5/22.
Hiking boots are strongly recommended for any hike, and should be worn enough in advance to “break in” some before the hike (no one wants new shoe blisters on a hike).
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). Meeting plans should have details for what will happen.  Information for Troop News inclusion should also be provided (items Scouts should bring to the meeting, and short statement of what the meeting will be about).
4/27 – Photo Challenge (Rascal Rabbits)
5/4 – Getting to Know Each Other (Moon Archers)
5/8 – Conservation service hours
5/11 – Hiking prep (Rascal Rabbits)
5/18 – Family Canoe Trip Tips & Water Activity Basics (Moon Archers)
5/22 – Hike (Manassas Battlefield)
5/25 – First Aid (Rascal Rabbits)
6/1 – Summer camp shakedown (planned PLC is postponed)
6/8 – Pioneering (Rascal Rabbits)
Awards Opportunities 
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

MAY 8 – Conservation service hours
MAY 22 – Hike at Manassas Battlefield
MAY 28-30 – Shenandoah 893 Memorial Day Weekend Family Canoe Trip Campout (more info soon)
JUN 1 – Summer Camp Shakedown (look for more info soon)
JUN 20-26 2021 – Summer Camp at Summit Bechtel