Troop 131,
We will have an in-person Troop meeting Monday at 7:00 at Immanuel Church on the Hill. Note, we are in summer hours, so we are starting ½ hour earlier. This will give us more daylight for outdoor activities.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE NATION
The walking tour in support of the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge was a great success, we had 8 scouts and three adults in attendance. Mr. Dalton was an amazing tour guide and Historian. It has been some time since I was at the Archives, the Castle, and American History Museum. To see our Nation’s History and Government connected in such a direct way is the privilege we have by living in the National Capitol Area. Thank you, Mr. Dalton, and all who came and participated.
SHED MOVE
In parallel to the tour on the mall, a hardy group cleaned, transported, and re-organized the gear in the shed. This was so that the shed could move from our old location and to our new home at Immanuel Church on the Hill.
This will make preparing for camping trips and other outings infinitely easier. Thank you, Mr. Jahns, Mr. Bolte and all the others who helped make this happen!
YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Mr. Roger has volunteered again to teach Youth Leadership Training to all the Scout leaders in the troop. He did this last year and everyone (even if you took it last year) would benefit from attending.
The SPL, ASP’s, PL’s and APL’s are all expected to attend!
We have scheduled this for August 27th (aka, the first Saturday morning after school starts). The program typically starts and 9:00 and runs about 3 hours. We will meet in the upper conference room at Immanuel Church on the Hill.
ALEX HECKEL EAGLE PROJECT
Alexander Heckel is working on his Eagle project, and he needs volunteers! See email below from him. Please consider signing up to help him.
Come Help Restore the Chinquapin Trail!
My Eagle Scout project will be to restore a large portion of the Chinquapin Park Trail by the swimming pool next to Alexandria City High School. The project will entertain removing rotten trail timbers with rebar, installing new ones, and mulching. I am looking for volunteers for August 6th, August 7th, August 13th, and August 14th from the hours of 9:00-3:30. Lunch will be provided.
SignupGenius link: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/20f0c49abac2ba2fd0-alexander. Just select which days and hours work best for you! I hope you can come help restore a well loved and well used Alexandria trail with me.
Thanks,
Alexander Heckel
HORSEBACK RIDING TRIP
Time is running out to attend the horseback riding trip, we have 7 scouts already signed up! See information below from Mr. Mulvaney!
I may be a little biased, since my Chinese surname is 马 which means Horse, but we are totally looking forward to this (rescheduled) trip.
12-14 August, Horseback Riding at Red Gate Farm Sign up to ride horses!
We want to get as much of the Troop out to this one as possible, so we are going to cover much of the cost of the trip. With the T-131 discount, it will just be $40 per Scout for all of the instruction and all of the riding necessary to complete the Horsemanship Merit Badge.
Remember- You Can Use Scout Accounts to pay for this. Check with the Treasurer for your Scout’s current balance. All you have to do is sign up!!!
BUT YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP!!! Because we are using a company to provide horses and instructors, this trip there are no last-minute changes. We want everyone available to go, it’ll be a great time. So sign up BEFORE August 2nd.
All you have to do is sign up!!!
The boys need to wear long pants and sturdy shoes with a heel!
CLIMBOREE
While the horseback riding trip is fast approaching, it is not too early to sign up for our first activity of the Fall, the climboree. See information below from Mr. Mulvaney!
Join us at Camp Rock Enon on September 16-18, 2022 for an NCAC family camping weekend open to all ages! Enjoy the best climbing on natural rock on a Scout camp close to DC. Hike to scenic Pinnacle Rock on the Tuscarora Trail. Relax at a wooded campsite with nearby restrooms and showers.
Climb and rappel on Camp Rock Enon’s massive sandstone climbing wall. Climbs for Scouts BSA and older range from beginner to advanced with rappelling. Experienced climbing instructors will coach you on climbing technique. Work on the Climbing merit badge or Ranger Mountaineering elective.
Hike to sweeping views at Pinnacle Rock. Walk the nature trail. Learn backpacking skills from the High Adventure team. Complete most of Camping merit badge Req. 9 with two nights of camping, a hike gaining 1000+ ft. of elevation, a rappel, and a conservation project.
$25 per Scout, $30 for Adults
Remember- You Can Use Scout Accounts to pay for this. Check with the Treasurer for your Scout’s current balance. All you have to do is sign up!!!
BUT YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP!!! Because the Troop has to register and spaces are limited for this unique event. We want everyone available to go, it’ll be a great time. So sign up ASAP
All you have to do is sign up!!!
The boys need to wear long pants and sturdy shoes with a heel!
MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS
We always need help in both the required and elective badges.
Please let Mr. Jahns and I know if you have any interest in becoming a merit badge counselor for any of the badges listed.
ACTIVITY PAYMENTS
Just a reminder on how to make payments for Dues or other Outdoor Activities. They can be made in several ways:
· Checks delivered at the Monday Meeting to the Treasurer or Committee Chair- they should be made payable to “BSA Troop 131.” Please put in the notes the activity you are paying for.
· Credit Cards at the Monday Meeting (if the treasurer is in attendance) – Processed by the Troop Treasurer
· Zelle Account Transfer:
· Name: TreasurerT131
· Email: treasurert131@gmail.com
· That is TreasurerT131 just to reiterate the “T131” aspect.
· Please put in the notes what activity you are paying for.
Zelle is the easiest and most seamless.
ADULT VOLUNTEERS
Parents, we need your help! It takes a lot to keep this troop together and active. Even if you don’t have time to be in one of the more active positions, there some one-off tasks. Please consider volunteering to one of the activities below:
We need help with:
Car Wash
o The troop has been able to cover or defer many of the costs over the last two years of Covid, while we are still in good shape financial, this has depleted our reserves.
o Therefore, it is time for a fundraiser, we are looking for an adult to help organize this effort.
o We’ve had good luck with these in the past and have supplies and can probably do it at the church. If you’re willing to organize it for us, please contact Mr. Jahns.
o
Health Forms
o We need an audit of the troop health forms and reconcile with our current roster.
o The forms need to be updated every year.
o We need to a volunteer to review the box and contact parents if we need an updated form.
We also need adult volunteers:
· To sit on the committee and be available for Board of Reviews
· Additional ASM’s to go on camping trips
· High Adventure and Jamboree Planning- we are in the beginning stages of putting together a long-range high adventure/jamboree calendar for next two years and for the “big trips”. Nothing is set in stone right now, but these trips take a long time to plan, and fund raise and below is what we are considering. We need a volunteer to help explore interest, logistics and ultimately to help with the planning.
SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead
Monday, August 1st – Troop Meeting- 7:00 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Sat/Sun, Aug. 6&7- Alex Heckel Eagle Project – Part 1
Monday, August 8th – Troop Meeting (PLC)– 7:00 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday August 12th 14th – Horseback Riding- Red Gate Farm
Sat/Sun, Aug. 13&14- Alex Heckel Eagle Project – Part 2
Monday, August 15th – Troop Meeting- 7:00 PM (BoR) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday August 20th – Architectural Walking Tour DC (Architectural Merit Badge)
Monday, August 22nd – First Day of School- Troop Meeting- 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday August 27th – Youth Leadership Training- Immanuel Church on the Hill (upper conf. room)
Monday August 29th – Court of Honor- Family Picnic
Monday, Sept. 5th – No Troop Meeting – Federal Holiday
GENERAL TROOP MEETING INFO:
Bring your Mask and uniform! Bring your Book, Bring a headlamp! Leave your phone in your pocket! and 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.
