News

Happy End of February Scouts and Parents! The year is already 1/6 gone and time is flying by!  A couple of reminders: New Patrols will be announced at this week's meeting. PLEASE NOTE - scouts will NOT be moving into new patrols until after our Court of Honor on April 11th. This information is being provided due to ... ELECTIONS are next Tuesday, March 7. The procedure will be reviewed this week. NEW SCOUTS are joining us on March 14, and there will be a separate Parent meeting in the Sanctuary during that meeting. This is for ALL parents. Thanks! [...]

Scoutmaster Moment What a fantastic weekend at the Seneca District Fall “Mountain Man Rendezvous” Camporee!  The weather was perfect for the activities, and so many activities!  Scouts learned new ways to light fires, made shelter, visited with a blacksmith, challenged each other (and 893B) to tug o war, had some items branded, threw tomahawks and knives - in short made many memories. Camporees like this are fantastic opportunities to demonstrate skills and try new things (with thanks to the adults that help make them happen!).  Upcoming campouts like November’s Mission Impossible and hopefully a Sully District Klondike in January are [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Developing leadership skills are one of the aims of the Scouting program.  Today the new leadership team came together for Introductory Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST).  This was new material for nearly half the team there, and it was clear how training has been embraced by our experienced scouts as they stepped up to lead various sections. Lots of good discussion, some fun games and everyone indicated they learned something new. Everything is hard before it is easy. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the [...]

Scoutmaster Moment What a beautiful weekend for camping!  The brief dinner time rain shower merely reinforced how nice the weekend really was.  Scouts did great with a trail ride that included some wildlife.  They also learned about horse care and common health concerns.  The next few weeks are full of Scouting activity opportunities, be sure to read through carefully for the fun to be had! There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. - Sir Winston Churchill Important Notes Sign-up for upcoming campouts October Mountainman Rendezvous Camporee - Oct 8-10 Group [...]

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 [...]