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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 [...]

Scoutmaster Moment May is here, celebrating the start of May began as an ancient celebration of Spring and now in the US we officially kick off Summer over Memorial Day.  Perhaps you have even begun the countdown to the last day of school?  This month we have the first Eagle Court of Honor (to be followed by others), plus outings for conservation hours, a hike, and then the Annual Canoe Trip. Lots to keep us all busy, lots to prep for - and much of it outside. The world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May. [...]

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 [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This weekend we returned to camping, setting out tents and sitting around the campfire, certainly welcome after so long cooped up! The weather was sunny, part of the time, and a bit cooler than expected - but it was dry and we accomplished so much. I’m very tired, but quite happy to be back outside with everyone.  We packed in so much into a full day: scout skill stations all morning, lots of great food made by Scouts and the Big Dogz, plus opportunity for downtime that included a ball game (where 893B Scoutmaster was tagged out at [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Today was a beautiful day to be outside honing leadership skills and planning some great troop activities for the term.  I’m very pleased at how the team is coming together and excited at some of the activities worked towards.  Let’s hope all our outings have such great weather (the thunderstorm even waited until dinner time!). I look forward to celebrating last term’s successes and inducting our new leadership team at our Court of Honor this week! You don’t inspire people by revealing your super powers; you inspire people by helping them reveal their own - Alexander den Heijer Announcements Hammock [...]