News

Scoutmaster Moment This past week was eventful with some new leadership elected and team being built, a fun troop outing going for a spin around the ice, and participating in our local district recruitment event launching rockets and retiring flags.  Well done! The coming weeks will continue to be busy with campouts, ILST, a Court of Honor, and outings.  All these events present opportunities to practice old skills, learn new skills, meet rank requirements and of course have fun. Important Notes Adult Support Needed We have a number of Boards of Review needed at this week’s meeting for Scouts that [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This holiday weekend has ushered in beautiful weather that reminds us that Fall is coming, and related activities have begun with school in session, and schedules getting busy.  Our troop schedule is also reflecting many coming activities, lots of fun stuff coming up soon!  Please read through the upcoming activities, many have sign ups associated with them (two for this week!). This week is the election for our next Troop Leadership term.  The Scouts will select a new SPL, each patrol will choose a new Patrol Leader, and Scouts should indicate what position(s) they have an interest in [...]

Scoutmaster Moment I hope that everyone had a successful start to a great school year!  It was great to hear stories about seeing friends, exciting classes and new schools this week. Be Prepared is the Scout motto, nd this applies to many aspects of your life, not just Scouting. Today a massive hurricane hit the Louisiana coast, people in that region prepared for a number of days in advance (and likely even longer).  Did you know many of their prep items are part of the Emergency Prep MB?  Similar to what our region does for big storms like hurricane, nor’easters [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Tomorrow is the start of a new school year. A fresh start with a new grade, new classes, new teachers, perhaps a new school and opportunities for new friends.  Soon we will begin a new leadership term in the troop. New beginnings are always exciting, full of the possibilities of what can come and how we can shape that experience. Good luck to all of you returning to classrooms this week, I hope you have engaging teachers, have good friends, and learn many new things.  In all the things in life that come and go, no one can take [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This weekend was a great campout at Lake Arrowhead in Luray.  A first time visit but I think we’ll be back. The Scouts hiked Mary’s Rock to the top and were rewarded with great views and cooling breezes.  In the afternoon they provided the park with conservation service hours digging out rocks that were negatively impacting water flows into the lake. The Virginia Falconry Club rewarded hard working scouts with some cookies from their neighboring pavilion. Even after that busy day, Scouts also had fun on an orienteering course designed by a fellow Scout for the Orienteering MB [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Summer is wrapping up slowly.  Our last summer campout is coming up this weekend at Lake Arrowhead with activities planned by Scouts.  I’m looking forward to a successful campout! School is starting soon, our household has been prepping with supply shopping.  But before that begins we’re making the most of the rest of summer with time with friends, afternoons at the pool and watching for evening fireflies. The fireflies o'er the meadow In pulses come and go.  - James Russell Lowell Photos TROOP MEETING/ACTIVITY OUTLOOK This Week  - 8/10 - Troop Meeting  Uniform: Activity Uniform (Class B) unless seeking rank advancement Location: CUMC Activity Field Candle Making [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This past week I had the distinct honor of staffing one of the NCAC’s National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) at Camp Snyder. Even better, many Scouts from the 893 family were attending from both troops and the crew. It was amazing to watch the youth staff work with the Youth staff work with all the participants and see all of them grow during the week as they learned new skills. I greatly look forward to seeing those skills in action in the Troop. Staff was augmented by a recent participant for one part of class, thanks for helping out Megan! I understand that [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This week’s note is a bit shorter as I’m sitting at a picnic table while waiting for the nightly NYLT Staff Meeting to start.  The course began today and I’m excited that a number of Scouts form 3 different 893 units are here learning about new tools for their leadership toolbox, I’m looking forward to great things! Announcements Please use the sign up for the upcoming August campout.  We want to get a decent headcount in advance so we know how many Scouts and adults to expect, Summer planning is trickier with family vacations.  This campout is at Lake Arrowhead [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Going to Summer Camp for the week always has challenges of weather, new activities, overcoming homesickness, camp food options, etc.  This year we had the COVID pandemic thrown in for good measure.  Who would have thought that going through a year+ of pandemic health protocols would have prepared us for a Norovirus outbreak at camp?  The Scouts did well under challenging circumstances of maintaining health protocols that have been familiar over the past year and ad adapting to the loss of Aquatics activities at camp.  As a result the camp beat the CDC expected 300+ cases and had [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Today was an early start and long bus ride to Summit Bechtel Reserve. The Scouts immediately set about making our campsite, erecting tents. We have found the dining hall and sampled the food, as well as enjoyed a campfire program by the lake. All scouts are excited for program to begin tomorrow! This Week  - 6/22 - Summer Camp  The Troop is a Summit for week of Summer Camp - No Troop Meeting 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 [...]