Troop News – 28 June 2020
Scoutmaster MomentLeadership is a key aspect of the BSA Scouting program. Like many other skills such as sports, academics, and languages some people appear to have a natural leadership ability. For the rest of us we learn it the hard way: through practice and failures and more practice. In truth, even people who appear to have natural abilities in anything they perfect any skills through practice, failure, and more practice. Yesterday our Scout Leadership Team participated in the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), any Scout in a troop leadership position logged into our first-ever virtual offering of the [...]
Troop News – 21 June 2020
Scoutmaster MomentToday we celebrate Father’s Day, the day for all the dads in our lives. Let your dad know al the ways he is important to you. My dad taught me to ride a bike, to use tools, encouraged me to be persistent, attempted to help me with math while instilling a love of science, history, and the enjoyment of preparing food for loved ones. Plus he was the master of puns and “Dad Jokes” which have served me well in scouting…. Grandpa loved history and languages, and was steadfast in the importance of family. Some lessons they taught were [...]
Troop News – 14 June 2020
Scoutmaster MomentOn June 14th of every year we celebrate a resolution made by the Second Continental Congress "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” The new constellation is our country, the great American Experiment. A new way of governing in the New World, of the People, by the People and for the People. Not for a king or family monarchy. Our flag is a symbol of our country, our optimism, the sacrifice of so many over the [...]
Troop News — 7 June 2020
Scoutmaster MomentOver the past week the news headlines that once were focused on COVID numbers have turned to stories of people turning out in their communities to protest injustice they have seen. Democracy is sometimes complicated and messy, sometimes change doesn’t come easily. It is important to be well informed, to vary the sources where you get your news and to talk with your family to understand what you see. Most importantly, it is important to remember the parts of the Scout Oath and Law in your life and interactions with others. To be Kind, Helpful, Trustworthy, and more. [...]
Troop News — 31 May 2020
Scoutmaster MomentThe last couple of months have been challenging to each of us in many ways, both great and small. The troop as a group has demonstrated great resilience in the pivot from in-person to on-line meetings, while showing continued caring for each other and enthusiasm for Scouting. This truly came together in this week’s meeting where everyone was involved with creating storyboards in each patrol and then as entire group. I hope everyone was having as much fun as it appeared from my screen. Well done all! Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim [...]
Troop News — 24 May 2020
Scoutmaster MomentThis weekend makes the traditional start of the summer season with parties, pools, and BBQs - at least in most years. But BBQs and parties is not what Memorial Day is truly about. Decoration Day started after the Civil War and became Memorial Day to recognize all those in the Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. This year I believe our thanks can include the many brave men and women who are now working as first responders and in hospitals to help thousands of Americans fight for their health. Tomorrow be sure to fly [...]
Troop News — 17 May 2020
Scoutmaster MomentThis past week has had some sunshine and warmer weather. Spring finally feels to have arrived. It is a good time get outside. Camp out in your back yard (with parent permission), use some spare wood to practice lashings and knots. Do nature observations from your yard, what do you see and hear? Look through your Scout Handbook for ideas of skills you can work on. AnnouncementsSUMMER CAMP: This week NCAC, and many other councils and camps, announced that all council camps would be closed for this summer due to COVID (this includes NYLT offerings). We continue to monitor guidance [...]
Troop News — 10 May 2020
Scoutmaster MomentYesterday was Mother’s Day I hope everyone was good to their mother! This note is a bit late so I could spend my day with the family. We tried making Spanish Tortilla for the first time, it has been a favorite of mine but we hadn’t made it until then. Busy life always seemed to put off that experiment. Oh, it was delicious by the way, which makes me sad it took so long to try it. This time of isolation and sheltering is a great opportunity to try out new things; new recipes, new hobbies, new skills, new [...]
Troop News –3 May 2020
Scoutmaster MomentYesterday our family watched excitedly as the Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds flying teams both flew over our neighborhood as a joint demonstration of support to the many people in the region who are caring for patients on the medical front lines. They started in Baltimore, flew through DC into Virginia before passing to Atlanta, flying over major hospitals. The weather is, nice, we’ve all been restricted from our normal activities and feeling restless, but the numbers have not dropped enough. Continue to do your best to maintain social distancing (and wash those hands!). USN video of [...]
Troop News — 26 April 2020
Scoutmaster MomentEarth Day was celebrated this week, our family has been getting in frequent nature walks on nearby trails and enjoying watching Spring unfold around us. In some ways this whole Spring has become an extended Earth Day as we have all hunkered down resulting in more of the actions advocated for Earth Day. I hope you have also have the chance to go on walks in Nature and observe the flowers opening around us (and yes also bringing the recent high pollen days). This week the new patrol announced their new name and patrol: The Moon Archer Patrol is [...]