News

Scoutmaster Moment Today Governor Northam shifted the state’s suggestion to stay at home to an order to do so. Residents may leave home for specific essential activities (supplies, medical care, exercise, work).  This extraordinary step is to limit the spread of this virus and allow our health system to help all who come.  Please don’t go out unless you need to, and maintain distance if you do.   Once upon a time the idea of being home and not having to go anywhere sounded great when we had so many places to run off to for Scouts, sports, early to [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This past week past week has been a whirlwind of news and activity not just within our community, but across the nation as a whole.  When we last met FCPS had announced a plan for next week in preparation of possible school closure to help enforce “social distancing”, our new term of the year, and decrease the incidence of COVID-19 before reaching critical mass for our health system.  By the weekend all local school systems, including FCPS are now closed until after Spring Break; joined by Broadway, the Smithsonian, Disney, professional sports and more. This is truly a [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Today is International Women’s Day, always held on March 8th and celebrated around the world in different ways.  Started over 100 years ago the purpose is to bring attention to issues women face; socially, politically, economically, and culturally. The US has marked this day since 1975, usually as awareness.  The world we are in today is very different from when this day first started, and even from when the US first recognized it.  This year US women celebrate 100 years of suffrage, our right to be be part of the national political discourse. Celebrating the start of our [...]

Scoutmaster Moment I was sad to miss this week’s meeting due to flu, in part because I truly enjoy seeing what the troop does each week and because - well being sick is no fun at all.  Fortunately I recovered by the end of the week and was able to join over 900 area Scouters at the NCAC University of Scouting to learn all kinds of new stuff to use in the troop, and to see many friends.  A Scout is Prepared, prepared to learn new tricks, prepared to assist others, prepared for whatever comes their way. Getting the flu [...]

Scoutmaster Moment We have many to thank after a number of events this week. A highly successful MBU due to the hard work of MBU coordinators Mr. Conner and Mr. Causley and the many Merit Badge Counselors who make the event happen.  Thanks to Mr. Pschigoda’s efforts on Mission Impossible and his outreach with Tony’s Pizza the Rascal Rabbit patrol enjoyed a pizza party to celebrate earning first place at the “MI” campout.  A special thanks to Mr. Weisz, Mr. Schoonmaker, and Mr. Palenscar for their stories about 893 scouting history including Daryl the van and the big scout sale [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Spring is coming soon, and with it elections and a new leadership term.  Think about ways you would like to serve the troop, perhaps some ideas you may have to make the troop even better. The troop has had a great year and is going in a good direction, how can you contribute to further our success? Scouting is a game for boys under the leadership of boys under the direction of a man.-Lord Baden-Powell  (who has quotes that work just as well with new pronouns) Photos - Playing Brownsea Island and rank advancement in process Rank Advancements Rowan Causley [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This week marked the celebration of the troop’s first birthday. On 1 February 2019 we welcomed 7 new scouts in the new 893G troop, but also in joining the 893 family of scouting units.  It seems wholly appropriate to have welcomed two new scouts into the troop on the occasion, as well as recognizing two adults who have worked to complete adult training. Congratulations Manny and Mini, welcome Emi and Annabelle! We officially have 10 scouts, and will surely continue to grow. Over the last year these scouts often inspire me as we have worked to lead and [...]

Scoutmaster Moment Happy Birthday 893G!  This week marks the first year of our charter under BSA.  This week’s meeting will be a celebration of all you have accomplished in the past year - it is quite a bit!  We’ve grown from 7 initial scouts, attended 8 campouts (including a week at summer camp), held 2 elections and Courts of Honor, completed 74 merit badges and had scouts rank up 98 times.  With this groups motivation and focus on the Trail to Eagle I expect we’ll be recording completion of Eagle Court of Honors at our next anniversary!   Photos - NCAC [...]

Scoutmaster Moment This week’s photo is a victory photo of all the scouts on the very first 893G Klondike team, with the well-earned 2nd place trophy.  These scouts worked diligently at each station in “wintry mix" weather to execute puzzles, challenges, and demonstrate Scout Skills earning up to 10 points at each station (earning maximum points at over half the stations). Plus one point for having a skit at the awards campfire. Two scouts not on the team that day also were key in the building of the team sled - truly a troop-wide effort. Coming in second, out of [...]