2024-09-29 This Week: Troop Meeting, Membership Update, Service, Climboree Volunteers, Will Rodger, District Camporee, Naval Academy, NYLT, One Month Look-ahead

Troop 131,

Hope you are doing well and had a good weekend!  Thank you to all the adults and scouts who came out on a very humid Saturday morning to help our sponsor with the pumpkin unloading.  I have to say … I have never seen so many pumpkins before!

We also had three adults, Mr. Dalton, Mr. Devlin and Mr. Farmer who were away this weekend improving their skills and making our outings safer by participating in a Wilderness First Aid Training Course!  Thank you for doing this!

I am sorry that I missed the meeting last week, however, I understand that it was a great meeting and the tent races in the dark were a lot of fun!

The next major activity after that is the Will Roger Conservation Project– I hope you will come to that day and please sign up.  The people organizing the event asked if there is anyone who can help identify invasive species, they could use an extra set of eyes during the day.

TROOP MEETING

We will have a Troop meeting at 7:30PM this Monday at Immanuel Church on the Hill! 

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

See note below from our Committee Chair, Mrs. Devlin.  Scouts BSA (National) has a new system for re-chartering this year.  Instead of the troop collecting your fees and paying collectively, each family is asked to pay directly.  The only cavat, is that the troop will still collect our dues directly.  See note below and thanks for your patience as we get used to the new system.

Good evening scouts, parents, ASMs, committee members and T131 fans,

……

Cutting to the chase here, it’s almost time for fees/dues/recharter. 

Adults

BSA Adult Volunteer Annual Fee = $65 paid direct to BSA 

Scouts 

BSA Youth Annual Fee = $180 (up $5 from last year):

• $85 National BSA fee
• $80 Participation fee for NCAC (National Capital Area Council)
• $15 for Scouts Life magazine (optional)
• Paid directly from parents to BSA, they’ll reach out to you via email in the next month or sowhen your son’s registration is expiring (most T131 scouts expire 31DEC2024)

Troop 131 Scout Dues = $25

• Goes toward camping gear, scout food, rank patches and merit badges 
• Troop 131 dues are only for scouts—no dues for adults
• Paid via Zelle/cash/check to Mr. Baldwin by Nov. 15
• Scouts can pay some or all of this with the funds in their scout accounts on file with the troop—see attached doc from Mr. Baldwin for your scout’s balance

Note: We never want the ability to pay dues to stand in the way of the Scouting experience.  If you would like a scholarship, please contact me or any adult leader directly and we’ll take care of it!

This is a big shift for us as a Troop—we used to collect all Troop money and submit a check directly. We’re taking notes on the new system, and BSA is eager to improve the process however they can.

Last important piece of info from the committee meeting is the adult camping fees–starting in 2025, we will waive adult camping fees for those volunteers who are supporting our activities! (If there are extra per-person fees for events like climbing or rafting, it will be announced.) Thank you to all who continue to support our boys’ outdoor experiences.

Please reach out with questions.

Anastasia Devlin

Chair, Troop 131

786.457.3043

SERVICE PROJECTS – Highlights and 10/6 Will Rodgers Memorial Event, Conservation Project

From Vivian Ramirez the Service Coordinator!

First and foremost – a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came for our Pumpkin Patch Service Event in support of Immanuel Church on the Hill! Your support for our sponsor this beautiful Saturday morning made the work go so much faster to get these pumpkins ready for all our fall decor. Our next pumpkin live is Saturday 10/19 in the morning – the same weekend as the District Camporee. We are expecting the full troop to attend the Camporee – however, if you absolutely cannot attend the Camporee, please then do a good turn and volunteer alongside our ACHS Key Club 10/19 morning to help move pumpkins to their final display spots. Sign up below.

Next weekend sees service events whirl into full fall mode! I will send out reminders during the week.

• Saturday 10/5/24, all day – Our amazing annual Art on the Avenue still needs volunteers, particularly for the event close-out/clean-up. Bring your braun – you will be helping break down/move barricades and assist vendors with breaking down their stations to open our Mount Vernon Avenue back up to vehicular traffic. Sign up on their AOTA Sign Up page.
• Sunday 10/6/24 2pm-dusk – Will Rodger Memorial Event, Conservation Project at Camp Snyder – WE NEED A BIG TURNOUT FOR THIS EVENT! It’s just an afternoon event, starting at 2pm followed by a Cast Iron Cooking Event at 5pm. Please come help us in this conservation-focused event in memory of an amazing T131 leader. To sign-up and for more details, visit this event site.
• Looking forward:

10/19/24 Saturday 8:30-11 – Pumpkin Patch at Immanuel Church on the Hill for any Scouts not going to the Camporee

11/2/24 Saturday 9-11:30 – Scouting for Food – We need 4 parent drivers per day for this event! Please reach out to ASM Andrew Moore (andrewdmoore2@aol.com, 202-258-7103) if you can support. Scouts and Adults, please sign up below.

11/2/24 Saturday 9-11 – Pumpkin Patch at Immanuel Church on the Hill

11/9/24 Saturday 10-11:30 – Scouting for Food – We need 4 parent drivers per day for this event! Please reach out to ASM Andrew Moore (andrewdmoore2@aol.com, 202-258-7103) if you can support. Scouts and Adults, please sign up below.

SCOUTS: As a reminder, log service hours in your logbooks. I will be at the 10/7 Scout Meeting and can sign off on your service hours. Please come prepared to describe your service activities and how they connect with Scouting principles as outlined below – and your service hours outside of our Troop Service Events are acceptable.. Below and available online is the outline for rank-up requirements:

• Tenderfoot: 1 hour, connect with Scout Slogan/Scout Motto
• Second Class: 2 hours, connect with Scout Oath
• First Class: 3 hours, connect with Scout Law
• Star: 6 hours
• Life: 6 hours, 3 of which must be conservation-related (see above Will Rodger Memorial Event)

CLIMBOREE VOLUNTEERS- ADULTS

As many of you know, we are blessed to have so many adults in the troop who are avid climbers.  One of these is Mr. Bolte (former Scoutmaster) who helps organize the Climboree (which is next month) and he asked if I could put out a call for adults to help with some aspects, specifically they need people to help take a shift at check-in, the entry gate, and parking.  In addition, they are looking for some help with gear at orientation.  You do NOT need to be a climbing instructor to help out at the gear orientation.  See link below if you can help!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4CAFAF2EA4F49-50695329-2024#/

WILL RODGER MEMORIAL EVENT – CONSERVATION PROJECT

All, see information below from the organizers of the event … it is not too late to sign up!

Dear Scouts, Scouters, Friends of Will,

Thank you so much for registering for this conservation event in memory of our friend and fellow scouter Will Rodger. You will restore habitat while earning the Messengers of Peace award. And this project will launch an ongoing tree rescue & invasive plant removal project at Camp Snyder. 

Please forward this message to people you registered. We need everyone to come prepared

Date: Sunday Oct 6

Time: 2-5pm

Location: Camp William Snyder, 6100 Antioch Rd, Haymarket, Virginia 20169

Parking: in the main parking lot near the entrance, then walk towards the canopy & berm

Alternative weather day: Sunday Oct 13

We will host the event in mist or light rain. A storm or lightning will postpone us to Oct 13

Look for an email on Sun Oct 6 by 10:30am with a decision to continue or postpone

We need you to wear protective clothing & gloves. This is non-negotiable & for your safety. Many of the plants have THORNS & BARBS:

• Long pants (no shorts)
• Long sleeves (no short sleeves)
• Heavy gloves
• Boots, gym shoes 

Bring 

• Reusable bottle (we’ll provide water/drink for refills)
• Snack if you’ll need one
• Insect repellent

If you have tools, please bring them

• Shovel
• Lopper 
• Hand clippers

If you have skills in invasive plant identification or removal & are willing to serve as a patrol leader/supervisor, please reply to this message. We need a few more experts to help supervise.

We can’t wait to see you Sun Oct 6! 

Tell friends to register

Sara Holtz, Carol Brown, Troop 131, Camp Snyder

Please share widely

Register: https://scoutingevent.com/082-88251#

DISTRICT CAMPOREE (October 18^th-20^th)

More information and sign-ups links coming soon!

SCOUTS AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY

Since this is a more expensive event than typical, we would like to get a head count earlier.  If you are interested in attending, then please see the information below from Mr. Mulvany and please sign up!

Who: Everyone in Troop 131 is invited!
What: Camping and Football
When: Fri 15 – Sat 15 Nov
Where:  Annapolis, MD
Why: Are you ready for some football
Cost:  Scout $30 camping program + $20 ticket= $50

           Adult $35 camping program + $30 ticket= $65

Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYaq6X12YRPODcmtuaG1yl5gkbO9-G7AyYb1Nq8PY9Dja3mQ/viewform

Cut off is 1 Nov, so sign up early

Price includes Football tickets, Camping, all Food, Commemorative Patch, Program Activities at Elks Camp Barrett, & Tailgate Party at Stadium

All scouts will receive a commemorative Navy Football Scout Day Patch at the game.

In 2023 we welcomed over 3,500 scouts (boys and girls) and family members to Annapolis, making it one of the largest football events in recent history.

Friday Nov 15, Scheduled Activities include:
* 3:00 pm – Unit Arrivals & Set Up Camp
* 12:00 am – Lights out
Scout Day Saturday Nov 16, Scheduled Activities include: (Tailgate Lunch Time is tentative & depends upon Kickoff time)
* 6:00 am – Continental Breakfast
* TBD – Tours of USNA by Midshipman (NESA) & USNA Scout Patch
* 11:00 am – Lunch àTailgate Lunch @ NAVYFEST – Southside of Stadium – along Taylor Ave
* 12:00 pm – USNA College Football Game: Midshipmen vs. Houston Cougars
* 6:00 pm – After Football Game – Return to Camp for Dinner
* 11:30 pm − Lights Out
Sunday Nov 17, Activities:
* 6:30 am – Hot Breakfast
* 8:30 am – Independent Interfaith Service
* 9:30 am – Clean Campsite/Depart from Camp

Registration link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYaq6X12YRPODcmtuaG1yl5gkbO9-G7AyYb1Nq8PY9Dja3mQ/viewform

Brendan Mulvaney

Outings Coordinator

Boy Scout Troop 131

TRAINING NYLT

See information below concerning National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT).  We had a number of scouts go to this in past years (including Luke Irwin just recently) and all rave about how great it is.  I certainly encourage you to consider it!

Winter Registration Opens: Sunday, October 6^th @ Noon

Our Council’s Winter NYLT Course historically fills very quickly. Interested eligible Scouts are encouraged to sign up as soon as registration goes live.

 SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead

Monday, September 30^th – Troop Meeting- 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Sunday October 6^th – Will Roger Conservation Project – Camp Snyder

Monday, October 7^th – Troop Meeting- 7:30 PM (PLC) – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Friday October 11^th – 14^th – Camping – NCAC Climboree (long weekend) – Camp Mountaineer, WV

Monday October 14^th – No Meeting Climboree and Federal Holiday

Friday October 18^th – 20^th – Accotink District Camporee- American Legion Youth Camp

Saturday, October 19^th – Pumpkin Drop off 2 – 8:30 am – noon – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Monday, October 21^st – Troop Meeting- 7:30 PM (BoR) – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Monday, October 28^th – Troop Meeting- 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill