Hope you are doing well and had a good weekend! It was great seeing some of you at ART on the AVENUE!
For those attending the service project tomorrow, see my previous email for final information!
TROOP MEETING
We will have a Troop meeting at 7:30PM this Monday at Immanuel Church on the Hill!
The first part of the meeting will focus on preparation for the upcoming (next weekend) Climboree. We will need to pull gear, make sure the patrol boxes are stocked and ready and make the meal plan/duty roster!
Once this is done and since the weather looks good for Monday; your leadership team has rescheduled the Skateboarding meeting! If you have a skateboard and helmet, feel free to bring them, however, any scout on a skateboard (MUST) be wearing a helmet– No exceptions. Any scout who does not follow this rule or acts in an unsafe manner will get to hang out with adults for the duration of the meeting- no joke. I want you all to be safe, but otherwise, feel free to shred it!
To be clear, we will not start the skateboarding activity until the preparation for the camping trip is 100% complete by all the patrols. The sooner you get it done, the sooner you can get on the skate boards!
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 caveat 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
See upcoming service activities!
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. An older scout or adult who was in attendance can sign of 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
DISTRICT CAMPOREE (October 18th-20th)
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 6th @ 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.
| https://www.ncacbsa.org/national-youth-leadership-training/
Course Dates: Jan 17-20; Feb 1-2 (both weekends) Fee: $345 Camp William B. Snyder
NYLT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Scouts must:
* Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), Crews (ILSC), and Ships (ILSS) should be offered through a Scout’s home unit. Ask your Unit Leader how you can participate in this course.
FAQ Q. How quickly will slots fill? A. While we are never sure, last summer’s courses filled very quickly and Winter course filled in a matter of hours. We have increased the number of participant slots to try and give as many Scouts the opportunity to attend NYLT as possible. We strongly recommend registering early. Q. If the course I want fills up should I add myself to the WAITLIST? A. Yes. It is always possible a spot will open and we strongly encourage families to add their Scouts to the waitlist. Q. Are scholarships available? A. Yes. Council has set aside funds to assist both participants and staff with their fees. Families can apply here. Unit Leaders can apply on behalf of their Scouts here. Q. What are the age, rank and other requirements to attend NYLT? A. Find this and other NYLT information on our main website at: https://www.ncacbsa.org/national-youth-leadership-training/ Q. How is staff chosen? A. An Adult Course Director selects a Youth Course Lead and together they assemble the staff based on Staffing Applications and interactions at Staff Interest Meetings. We highly encourage people to apply for staff… it can be a very rewarding experience. Q. How can I increase my chances of being selected for NYLT staff? A. Many Youth Course Leads have indicated the best way to increase your chances of being selected for staff is to attend Staff Interest Meetings. |
SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead
Sunday October 6th – Will Roger Conservation Project – Camp Snyder
Monday, October 7th – Troop Meeting- 7:30 PM (PLC) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday October 11th – 14th – Camping – NCAC Climboree (long weekend) – Camp Mountaineer, WV
Monday October 14th – No Meeting Climboree and Federal Holiday
Friday October 18th – 20th – Accotink District Camporee- American Legion Youth Camp
Saturday, October 19th – Pumpkin Drop off 2 – 8:30 am – noon – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, October 21st – Troop Meeting- 7:30 PM (BoR) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, October 28th – Troop Meeting- 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
