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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 [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Congratulations to the 893 Scouts graduating this past week from Centreville HS and Westfields HS! The graduation color guard at Centreville HS was made up of Scouts from 893 Troops and Crew, well done Scouts! It is great to hear of Scouts representing Scouting and 893 in the community. Photos <PLC Mtg.jpeg> Announcements Troop Mask Guidance Guidance for mask use by state and federal officials is shifting, however as a Troop we still follow the guidance of our Charter Organization (CUMC) until they specify a change.  Please continue to wear a mask at all troop events until notified otherwise. Rank Advancement Congrats to the 1 scout who earned [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This weekend was an eventful weekend for Troop 893G History with two Eagle Courts of Honor in a 3-day timeframe. M. S. and C. A.  celebrated their achievement of earning Eagle, wrapping up the Troop’s Inaugural Eagle celebrations. One of my favorite parts of any Eagle ceremony is watching the new Eagle taking the oath with all present Eagles behind them, showing the breadth of this group.  Watching all 3 ceremonies really shows how much work each of the scouts have worked in their Scouting careers to reach this point, and from their displays how much fun they have had. [...]

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 [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Saturday was a Troop hike through the Manassas National Battlefield, and I’m disappointed to have missed going with the Troop due to another Scouting commitment. This hike had been planned for later in the day, but weather was forecasted to be hot.  As we know a Scout is prepared, multiple people suggested an earlier start to mitigate overheating (and more comfort!), and scouts were encouraged to bring plenty of water.  Fortunately it was hot but not muggy.  From the reports I hear, and photos, everyone had a good time and had fun.  Many thanks to the adults who stepped in during my [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This weekend marks a major milestone for our Troop - the first Eagle Court of Honor.  While yesterday’s celebration was in celebration of Elena and Robert, and we have another two coming in the next few weeks, I see this as a celebration for the entire troop and all that has been accomplished since we started just over two years ago, going from a room of 7 scouts ready for adventure to 3 Eagles and a thriving group of Scouts carrying the torch forward.  Well done, all. Announcements COVID NOTE: While the federal and state mask mandates are changing, Troop 893 will continue to follow protocols [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Today is Mother’s Day, I do hope you have given a hug to your mom today and able to spend some time enjoying the day with her. Here is a thing my heart wishes the world had more of:   I heard it in the air of one night when I listened   To a mother singing softly to a child restless and angry in the darkness.  - Carl Sandburg, “Home" “Mother” is such a simple word, But to me there’s meaning seldom heard. For everything I am today, My mother’s love showed me the way. - Karl Fuchs [...]