I hope everyone is well! Sorry for the VERY long Sunday email, however, there much to convey. Please take the time to read this in full!
IN PERSON MEETING:
We will have an in person meeting tomorrow at 7:30 at Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill. We had our first gathering there two weeks ago and it is a great space for our meetings.
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill– Parish Hall
3606 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304
The parish hall is behind the main sanctuary, from the parking lot, just keep walking around on the sidewalk and you will see the entrance up the hill a bit.
MESSAGE FROM YOUR SPL
Hello scouts, please bring your fully packed cold weather backpacks to the 24th meeting. The 24th we also have Webelos visiting, so please be on your best behavior!
Your SPL, Sean Mulvaney
PATROL LEADERS’ COUNCIL (PLC)
There is a PLC this Monday at 7:00 and before the normal troop meeting. SPL, ASPL, Scribe and Patrols Leaders should attend. Patrol Leaders, if you can not come, please ask your Assistant Patrol leader to attend in your place. We will review the Winter/Spring calendar and identify topics of discussion for the upcoming meetings.
WEBELOS in the house!
As your SPL mentioned, we will have 6 WEBELOS from Pack 129 joining us tomorrow night. It is that time of year where the WEBELOS are starting to consider troops to join and as they cross over. We want them to choose Troop 131!
Can I ask that all the Scouts try to talk to them, include them in activities and generally make them feel at home. I will be talking to the parents separately, so it is very important that you all are CHEERFULL and HELPFUL!
SKI TRIP
We had 8 Scouts as well as other assorted family members participate in the ski-trip today. The scouts had to brave cold weather and some long lines, but I think that they all had a good time. Thank you, Mr. Mulvaney, for organizing!
IMMANUEL CHURCH-ON-THE-HILL AND SCOUT SUNDAY
You will notice on the calendar and in the one month look ahead we have Scout Sunday listed on February 6th.
I never had the opportunity to participate in Scout Sunday when I was a Scout, however this is a tradition that we would like to start at our new home. For those that don’t know Scout Sunday is:
The Boy Scouts of America designates the Sunday that falls before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scout Sunday, which is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. However, each chartered organization can use either of two other options to celebrate this special day.
Scout units are urged to participate in the religious services. Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath and Scout Jumuah are important opportunities for units to attend services in uniform, conduct a flag ceremony, speak about Scouting, present religious awards and/or formally thank the chartering organization for their support throughout the year. One can use the opportunity to participate in the service such as offering prayer.
We are looking for Scouts to attend the service if possible and for four Scouts to volunteer to conduct the flag ceremony and to read passages during services.
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill has put a brief statement on their website about us, as well as a notification in their newsletter. Scout Sunday is a good way for us to thank our new sponsors.
Welcome Scouts BSA Troop 131!
We are pleased to announce that Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill has become the charter organization for Scouts BSA Troop 131. Troop 131 was founded in 1936 and is Alexandria’s oldest troop – more than 86 years old! There are a few Troop 131 members among our parishioners, and Immanuel is the beneficiary of two Eagle Scout projects from Troop 131 – the sidewalk from the parking lot to the deck of the Parish Hall, and a storage shed for the EYC.
Troop 131 is an extremely active, boy-led troop with approximately 40 Scouts ages 11-17. Troop meetings are held every Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Scouts plan monthly camping weekends for the troop and participate regularly in service activities – such as Scouting for Food, which benefits the ALIVE! Food Bank.
Adult leaders for Scouts BSA Troop 131 include Scoutmaster Mark Ramirez and Committee Chair Kevin Jahns. Francine Wargo will serve as the Charter Organization Representative from Immanuel.
We enthusiastically welcome Troop 131 to Immanuel and look forward to a great relationship! You can find out more about the Troop’s mission and activities on their site: https://t131.org/ .
SCHEDULE: One Month Look Ahead
Monday January 24th Troop Meeting- (PLC)
Monday January 31st Troop Meeting- (Board of Review) Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill
Sunday February 6th Scout Sunday
Monday February 7th Troop Meeting
Wednesday, February 9th Assistant Scoutmasters Meeting- 8:00 Virtual (tentative)
Monday February 14th Troop Meeting- (PLC)
Monday February 21st No Troop Meeting- Presidents Day –
Friday, February 25th- 27th Winter Camping
Saturday, February 26th
Monday February 28th Troop Meeting- (Board of Review) Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill
UPDATED CALENDAR
For your use in planning, see attached updated calendar for the Winter/Spring. Mr. Jahn’s is starting to update the calendar on the Troop 131 Website. You can look there for information on Troop Activities as well.
AVERY ALTENBURG SERVICE PROJECT
One of our Scouts, Avery Altenburg, is doing an equipment drive for the Miracle League. Here is Avery’s message about the drive if you are interested in helping him out:
For my bar mitzvah project, I am organizing an equipment drive to support the Miracle League of Alexandria. Since 2011, the Miracle League of Alexandria’s Baseball Program was created to allow youth and adults with special needs the ability to play baseball or softball. They play on a special synthetic turf baseball diamond designed specifically for use by individuals with special needs.
Because of COVID, the League has not played for nearly two years and is starting back up again in April 2022. They are in great need of new equipment to restart their programs. I have created and Amazon Wish List (https://www.amazon.com/hz/
UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING
For the adult leaders who are not going to attend the Winter Camping at Marsden track, then that same weekend Colonial District is hosting their annual University of Scouting. I have attended a few of these in past years and found them valuable. Last year it was virtual, however, in theory this year they are returning to an in- person event at Hayfield Secondary School (about 7 miles away from us in Fairfax County).
https://scoutingevent.com/082-
I also believe that Mr. Rogers and Mr. Bolte will be teaching that weekend!
MERIT BADGE & TRAINING OPPORTUNITES
For those looking for opportunities for other merit badges, see below a few offerings. If you are interested, come and see me at the troop meeting and I will provide a blue card.
COLONIAL CREW 80 OFFERING CPR/AED & WILDERNESS FIRST AID TRAINING
Point of Contact:
Michael Martin
Colonial Crew 80 will be offering the following programs this winter:
CPR/AED
January 20, 2022
This CPR training program begin at 7:30 PM will be held at First Christian Church, 2723 King Street, Alexandria.
The Fee is $60.
Wilderness First Aid
Note: participants must have a current CPR/AED course certificate in order to take WFA
The course will be held in two, eight-hour sessions on February 5 and 12, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2701 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria.
The fee for this course is $160.
If a participant register for both, the fee is discounted to $200
Questions may be directed to Michael Martin.
COLONIAL OFFERING THREE VIRTUAL CITIZENSHIP IN SOCIETY MERIT BADGE COURSES
Point of Contact:
Chris Holmes, Colonial Merit Badge Dean
Colonial District is now taking sign-ups for the new Citizenship in Society merit badge. Delivered online, three separate courses will be offered. While there is no cost to Scouts, space is limited.
The schedule of courses follows:
Session One:
Course begins February 01, 2022, to last eight weeks
Registration closes January 30, 2022
Six seats available
Taught by Burt Wagner
Session Two:
Course begins March 8, 2022, to last eight weeks
Registration closes March 06, 2022
Six seats available
Taught by David Lewis
Session Three:
Course begins March 15, 2022, to last four weeks
Registration closes March 13, 2022
Eight seats available
Taught by LaNitra Berger
Interested Scouts should email Colonial Merit Badge Dean Chris Holmes directly to register for this event.
Each class will be online only, and the counselor will forward the log-in information to each Scout after registration closes.
GENERAL TROOP MEETING INFO:
Wear your Mask and uniform! Bring your Book, Bring a headlamp! Have a good time!
Blue Cards! Did you know that your Scoutmaster can email you a blue card? Just send me Mr. Ramirez an email (scoutmaster@t131.org)! Note that the SCOUT must request the blue card, not the parent!
See you all at the troop meeting.
