Scoutmaster Moment
Memorial Day Weekend always marks the start of Summer activities as well as the 893 annual canoe trip!  This year summer weather went on holiday and the Scouts of 893 showed resilience, overcoming rain and cold to have fun on the Shenandoah River.  We had 38 canoes and 18 kayaks carry over 100 people, this may be record breaking attendance. Great fun was had paddling down the river, rushing some ripples and rapids.  We saw mountaintops shrouded in clouds and steam rising from the river when the air was cold enough to cause the warmer river to give the look of smoke on the water – quite a sight.  Fortunately lunchtime was dry and almost sunny.  While we remember the outings that we had fun on, we also remember the ones where we overcame adversity and learned something about our ability to persevere.  The best stories come from what we overcome.
While summer may “officially” start this weekend, it was not established so we would have a 3-day weekend for summer adventures.  It is because we honor those who have served our country and given what President Lincoln referred to as “the last full measure of devotion” to ensure that this great experiment in Democracy endures. Enjoy your weekend, barbecues, gatherings with friends and loved ones.  Don’t forget to pause and reflect on those who have fallen in service of our country, sacrificing all.  They, and their families, deserve our consideration and gratitude.
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
-President Abraham Lincoln, at Gettysburg
Announcements
COVID NOTE: While the federal and state mask mandates are changing, Troop 893 will continue to follow protocols set by our charter organization. Please plan to wear a mask to all events until notified otherwise.
Warm Weather and the Activity Field
The meeting this past week finally felt like maybe Spring is truly arrived. The sun stayed up a bit later, the grass is growing, and the bugs are out.  Remembering the Scouting Essentials may be a good idea for meetings, including bug spray.
TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK
This Week  – 6/1 – Summer Camp Shakedown
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
On Tuesday, June 1st we will have the annual summer camp shakedown.  It will take the place of the regular Troop meeting from 7-8:30pm. Shakedown involves more than just the collection of forms, please plan on attending if you are going to camp even if you have already provided the requested forms. The required attire is Class A for Scouts and Adults attending camp.  It is much easier if both you and your scout attend the shakedown.  If your scout will not be able to attend that evening, then you need to do it yourself, or send an adult substitute that has your permission to coordinate/sign on your behalf.
Physicals: All youth and adults attending camp must have full BSA medical form completed (A, B and C). No paperwork, no camp.
Swim Test: It is looking like the swim test will be held at Cub Run Rec Center on the afternoon of June 12th. Actual time will be posted ASAP. The swim test is required for summer camp, but is also a rank requirement for First Class (6.a) and Second Class (5.b). Read below and practice if you can before attending:

Swimmers test: Jump feet first into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.

Beginners test: Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, level off, and swim 25 feet on the surface. Stop, turn sharply, resume swimming and return to the starting place.

Anyone who has not completed either the beginner or swimmer tests is classified as a nonswimmer.

Troop 893G Eagle Courts of Honor
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A), with merit badge sash
Celebrate the success of your fellow 893 Scouts.  These also count as Troop Activities for applicable rank advancement requirements.
Friday 6/4 – M.S
7pm at the CUMC Activity Field
See the attached invite for details and RSVP info, RSVP requested by 5/30
Sunday 6/6 – C.A
2pm at the Izaak Walton Field House
Click link for details, RSVP requested by 6/1
Next Week  – 6/8 – PLC
Uniform: Field Uniform (Class A)
Location: CUMC Activity Field 
This week there is no general troop meeting, we will have a PLC with limited roles attending (noted below).
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 July.
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.
• Program Features (meeting plans by activity): https://troopleader.scouting.org/program-features/
• Meeting Activities (lots of games): http://www.programresources.org/activities/
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, and have one meeting idea with completed plan with them (template attached). Roles expected to participate in this PLC:

SPL
ASPLs
Patrol Leaders
Scribe

JASM
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).
6/1 – Summer camp shakedown 
6/8 – PLC
6/15 – Virtual meeting (due to pre-Summer Camp “quarantine” protocol
6/22 – **No Meeting** Troop at Summit for camp
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 
The Sully District Twilight Camp is looking for volunteers to help – both Scouts and Adults are needed.  This camp is a day camp geared to Cub Scouts that happens at Izaak Walton in June, this is a great way to provide service to the District, and to show local Cub Scouts what the 893G Scouts can do (good recruitment!)
When: June 21-25 5-9pm (same week as Summit summer camp)
Who: Mrs Shen is the camp director, let her know if you are interested
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)
 
NCAC is holding its first Merit Badge Camp at Camp Snyder 
Camp is July 18-24, and can be done as a day camper or resident (overnight) camper
Key Dates (mark your calendar)

Full calendar is also available from Troopmaster subscription calendar

JUN 1 – Summer Camp Shakedown
JUN 4 – Eagle Court of Honor for M.S.
JUN 6 – Eagle Court of Honor for C. A.
JUN 20-26 2021 – Summer Camp at Summit Bechtel