What a busy scouting Saturday. First let me thank all the scouts who came out for both the Car Wash and Gable’s Eagle project. I was happy to see several scouts do double-duty and help with both! See notes below with a recap for both events!
Last week, I neglected to thank the people who came out for the Alive Service project. We picked up and delivered a whole truckload of furniture to several very grateful families! Thank you to Jay Setliff, Theo Ramirez, Isabel Ramirez and Mrs. Ramirez and Mr. Jahns!
SWIM TEST- Goshen and Sea Base OR Troop Meeting???
The wheels of progress move slowly at the Chinquapin Park Req. Center. Despite Mr. Dalton’s numerous phone calls and emails, we still have not been able to confirm that we can have two lanes dedicated for our use tomorrow. After the car wash yesterday, we physically went and visited them and received an alternate person to contact. To their credit, they promptly responded and are actively working to reserve the lane for us. We are hopeful that we will get this worked out by 7:30. If not, then our back-up plan is to have a normal troop meeting at the church. If we have to pivot, we will send out an email late afternoon, informing you of the change, so please check your email before you head out!
If we still have the swim test:
- Please arrive at the Chinquapin Park Req. Center by 7:30 (normal troop time)
- Scouts will line up outside and we will send them in groups of 8-10
- Scouts should wear their bathing suits and the troop Class-B T-shirt (if they have one)
- Please bring your towel (and goggles if you want them)
- Sea Base participants- please bring your mask and snorkel
- Parents (unless your scout is going to Sea Base) please don’t go too far as this will not take the full 90 minutes. We are usually done in 45-60 minutes and you are welcome to hang out.
We will conduct BSA swimming tests and in preparation for Summer Camp. Unlike previous years (where this was just practice), we now have registered BSA lifeguards who will be able to sign off on any scouts prior to Goshen so that (in theory) you don’t have to take the swim test again there. I say in theory, because each Aqua director has their own standards and may for any reason require all the scouts to re-do their test. Swimming in a lake is very different (aka harder) than your local pool, so the evaluation will be to a strict standard. Even if you are not a good swimmer, please come out and get some practice, the goal is for you to get better.
Adults who want to swim or do aquatics at Goshen and Adults going to Sea Base also need to pass the swim test. They are welcome to participate in this as well. I just ask that they give preference to the scouts first.
For the Sea Base crew, you will stay longer and to 9:30, and we are going to ask you to swim some laps and practice different strokes. We are trying to build up your strength and skill before the trip. Please bring your masks and snorkels, so you can practice with them a bit as well. More to come on this.
GABE MULDOON – EAGLE PROJECT
All, see the note below from Gabe, thank you to all the scouts that came out and helped him with his service project! If you need service hours for your next rank, please ask Gabe or one of the older scouts in attendance to sign your book!
Hello Troop 131,
Thank you all for showing up to my Eagle Scout Project. We got more people than I could’ve hoped for, by any measure. We also finished almost everything we intended to do. We repaired the bridges, replacing all of the planks on one of them. This was no easy take a whole lot of wood had to be moved around and much labor went into sawing and installing wood. We also painted blazes on the trees and painted all the stairs on the trail blue. Lastly our trail crew cleared many, many weeds, raked dead leaves and sticks off the trails, cleared fallen trees, and blocked off more dangerous parts of the trail. This was also not easy as the trail was nearly a mile long.
I’m extremely grateful to everyone who showed up today. Thank you for everything. I’m very proud of the work we accomplished. I hope it was a memorable day and everyone, make sure to check for ticks. I will be trying to order a plaque with the names of all volunteers to install at the trailhead and I will be soon to send out some photos from the project.
If you need me to log the service hours in your book I can do that in the meeting following this week’s Monday swim test. I will also bring volunteer pin’s for everyone who left in the morning and didn’t get one. That will be delivered in two weeks as well. Once again thank you it was a great pleasure leading and working with all of you. Have a great rest of your weekend.
Sincerely,
Gabe
CAR WASH- SEA BASE- Round Up
First let me send a big thank you to our amazing sponsor, Immanuel Church on the Hill, who once again allowed us to use the church facilities and most importantly the water supply, for this effort. Many of the cars who came through were church members and we are grateful for their continued support.
I also want to thank Mr. Mills and Mrs. Devlin who ran the car wash. The weather was perfect, we ate donuts & then hot dogs and the scouts had a great time as usual! We made almost $1200 this year which we will use to pay for travel and T-shirt costs for the trip.
Thank you to the scouts and parents who came out to support (aka wash cars and donate money) for the effort.
I would add that there were a few people who simply gave us money (did not need their car washed) because we are a scout troop and specifically because the money raised was for a high adventure camp! I love the power of scouting!
ELECTIONS – Monday, June 2nd – Troop Meeting– 7:30 PM
It is hard to believe, but after this Monday and with the Federal Holiday and the Swim Test, our next meeting will include troop elections!
- If you intend to run for SPL, then please let me know.
- For those of you that want to run for Patrol Leader, I would start talking to your patrol mates and let them know.
- There are plenty of other leadership positions available as well, see list below of the roles that we commonly fill. For the older scouts, I would like to see at least three (2) Troop Guides this round as well, so please consider that position. The younger patrol will benefit from your experience and wisdom!
o The patrols elect the Patrol Leader. The Patrol Leader appoints the Assistant Patrol Leader.
o The troop elects the Sr. Patrol Leader. The Sr. Patrol Leader appoints the Assistant Sr. Patrol Leader(s) and the other leadership positions:
- Assistant Sr. Patrol Leader:
- Quartermaster:
- Historian:
- Librarian:
- Bugler:
- Scribe:
- Troop Guides:
- Chaplain’s Aide:
- Order of the Arrow Rep:
CAVING TRIP- June 7th
See information below and a note from Mr. Mulvaney concerning the upcoming Caving trip. I missed it last year, but I understand that this was a great and fun trip! Please sign up if you have not already done so!
Who: All the Adventuresome Scouts
What: Troop 131 Caving and Hiking trip
When: Sat 7 Jun- Sun 8 Jun 2025
Where: Mt Solon area (about 2.5 hours from Alexandria)
Why: Return to the Darkness
Cost: $40
Easiest way to make payment for this or other Scout events is Zelle:
Name: TreasurerT131
Email: Treasurer@T131.Org
When making payment via Zelle, please be sure to add a note telling the Treasurer what the payment is for; alternately, you can send a separate email.
Brendan Mulvaney
Outings Coordinator
Boy Scout Troop 131
INNOVATORS IN MOTION- Need Volunteers – Tuesday June 10th
In addition to my duties as a scoutmaster I also sit on the National Capital Area Council Executive Board. As part of this I participate in a committee that runs one of the annual fundraising events. As some of you may remember, there was a similar event in the fall that we participated in. We did such a great job that they asked me if Troop 131 could help again this year and conduct the flag ceremony for the event. Since transportation is one of the fields represented, we are trying to get a pinewood derby track installed that attendees can race cars.
Like last year I am looking for about 6 scouts who can participate in the opening and closing flag ceremony. For your efforts and for having to sit through a bunch of adults talking, you will get a full dinner and as many desserts as you can eat from the sweets cart! Let me know if you would like to come.
Hen Quarter Prime,
2121 First St SW, Washington, DC 20024
Reception: 5:00 PM
Panel Discussion: 5:45 PM
Awards Ceremony: 6:30 PM
Post Event Social: 8:00 PM
https://ncacscouting.org/innovators-in-motion/
Parents, please consider contributing/attending this event or seeing if you can ask your companies to donate. I know that things are difficult this year with everything that is going on, however, all the money raised goes directly to the National Capital Area Council for local scouting activities.
SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead
Monday, May 19th – Swim Test – 7:30 PM – Chinquapin Park Req. Center (hopefully!)
Monday, May 26th – No Troop Meeting- Federal Holiday
Sunday, June 1st – Scout Skill Sunday – 1:00-4:00 – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, June 2nd – Troop Meeting (ELECTIONS) – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Wednesday, June 4th – Eagle Workshop – 7:30 PM – – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday June 6th – 8th – Caving Trip – Mount Solon, VA
Monday, June 9th – Troop Meeting (BoR) (PLC) – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Tuesday, June 10th – Innovators in Motion – Fundraising Event
Friday June 12th – Last Day of School
Monday, June 16th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, June 23rd – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, June 30th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Sunday, July 6th – Start of Summer Camp – Goshen Camp Marriott
Monday, July 7h – No Troop Meeting
Saturday, July 12th – End of Summer Camp – Goshen Camp Marriott
