All,
I hope you all enjoyed your first week of summer vacation! Only 2 meetings before summer camp, so make sure you are getting your gear ready and doing all your prerequisite requirements! I am happy to sign off anything that you completed at the meeting.
TROOP MEETING
We will have a Troop meeting at 7:30 PM this Monday at Immanuel Church on the Hill! Your leadership team has a great plan that focuses on First Aid Training, including:
- Teaching First Class requirements 7b and 7c and Second class 6b if time allows
- Practice different carries and have stretcher races outside on the grass (make a stretcher from bamboo and tarp, get one person on it across the grass and back as fast as possible without dropping them)
As always, be sure to bring your book and ask an older scout to sign off on any rank requirements you have completed!
GAME DESIGN MERIT BADGE
For those that are interested in the Game Design merit badge (and I know there is a rather large cohort taking this class at Goshen), one of the requirements/prerequisites is to “visit with a professional in the game development industry and ask them about their job and how it fits into the overall development process.” Mrs. Macek reached out to Think Fun! a game company located in Alexandria, about helping to fulfill this requirement. See the information below and thank you Mrs. Macek for doing this!
Game Design Merit Badge Opportunity
For scouts who are signed up for Game Design at Goshen or any scout interested in earning this merit badge in the future, here is an opportunity to fulfill your prerequisite!
Think Fun!, a game company located here in Alexandria, is looking for help beta-testing a new game concept next week in their Alexandria office, 6/24-26.
Per ThinkFun! “Our playtests start with an overview of what goes into making a game, so this is the best time for scouts to ask questions. They can also ask any questions as they play the games.
The game we’d like to playtest is a single player game for ages 8 and up. It is a line extension of one of our best-selling games. The intent of the playtest is to get an early read on how players interact with the game so we can adjust our 3D files as needed.
The session typically lasts about an hour for one family, but you might want to plan for up to two hours depending on how many scouts were able to visit, as we’d need the scouts to take turns with the prototype.
If you are interested and available, please list the dates and times that work best for you between 6/24-6/26.
If you are interested, please reach out to Melinda Contreras at Melinda.contreras@ravensburger.com and mention that you are with Troop 131. I have included her email footer info below.
SAFEGUARDING YOUTH TRAINING (SYT) TRAINING (formerly YPT)
Adults: ASM Patel has volunteered to be our training coordinator for the troop! Many of you probably received an email from him concerning your training status in the troop and specifically SYT (formerly Youth Protection) training. See information from the National Office Concerning this:
Safeguarding youth is our highest priority. As part of our continued commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for every young person in our programs, we are excited to announce the launch of the new Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT).
This training replaces the previous Youth Protection Training (YPT) and reflects a significant investment in updated content, delivery, and compliance standards. SYT is designed to be more engaging, accessible, and aligned with current best practices in youth protection.
What You Need to Know:
Deadline: All volunteers must complete SYT by May 31, 2026.
Recognition of Prior Training: If you completed YPT before May 22, 2025, it will be honored until May 31, 2026, after which SYT will need to be taken.
Why This Matters:
This overhaul is more than a name change. SYT introduces updated modules, clearer policies, and a more robust learning experience to ensure every adult in our movement is equipped to protect and empower youth.
Next Steps:
Log in to your My.Scouting account and click the Safeguarding Youth Training logo on the right of the page to be taken directly to the new course.
For questions or support, please contact your local council.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication to youth safety and for being a vital part of Scouting America’s mission.
RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS COORDINATOR
ASM Patel has also offered to be our religious emblem coordinator. See the information below, this is a great award for both scouts and adults!
Good evening.
I am the Troop Religious Emblems Coordinator.
My goal is to ensure that both scouts and adults are aware of the Religious Emblem Program and how they can earn a religious emblem based on the faith that the individual would like to learn about.
If you would like to learn about earning the Religious emblem in your faith (or another faith) please feel free to contact me.
I will do what I can to assist you in the process of earning the award.
Both youth and adults (you dont have to be a member of Scouting America) can earn this emblem.
More details can be found at:
https://www.scouting.org/awards/religious-awards/
https://www.praypub.org/scouting-america
Please feel free to contact me at this email address for more details.
Thank you.
YiS,
ASM Patel
FUNDRAISING CHAIR
Parents: Putting out a call out for a volunteer to act as our fundraising chair. After a very successful term, Sue Setliff is stepping down and we are looking for someone to take over. The main responsibility is to help run and organize our annual fall fundraiser – Wreath Sales. We have a good system already set up and the only limiting factor is that you have a garage or basement to temporarily store the wreaths for a few days and until the scouts can pick them up for delivery!
This is a great (and limited way) for you to get involved and help the troop. If you are interested in volunteering for this role or have questions, please let Stacey or I know. Thank you!
LIFESAVING MERIT BADGE – July 19-20
We have six scouts signed up for this exciting merit badge experience, however, there is room for more and it is not too late!
I am pleased to announce that Mr. Devlin has organized a special two-day Lifesaving Merit Badge Class at the local YMCA. The cost is $20 per scout. Prior to attending Scouts need to have their Swimming Merit and read the Lifesaving Merit Badge Book. You can either buy a copy, check one out from the troop library or download the free one at the link below:
https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/lifesaving/
Most new scouts going to summer camp should have their swimming merit badge by the end of the week, so the timing is perfect. Lifesaving is one of the Eagle Required Badges.
Saturday, July 19th, 1:00 – 5:00 PM at YMCA Alexandria classroom (wearing Class Bs is okay, but scouts should bring a swimsuit/towel in case we have time to get a head start with in-the-water techniques)
Sunday, July 20th, 1:00 – 5:00 PM at YMCA Alexandria pool (scouts should bring swimsuits/towels; also wear clothes they can remove quickly to perform a ‘rescue’)
Please email Mr. Devlin (and copy another adult) if you are interested in attending.
SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead
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
Monday, July 14th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Sat/Sun, July 19 & 20 – Merit Badge Class- Lifesaving – Delray YMCA
Monday, July 21st – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (BoR) (PLC) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, July 28th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, August 4th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
August 6th -11th – SEA BASE- Coral Reef Sailing (Boat-1) – Islamorada, Florida
August 8th -13th – SEA BASE- Keys Adventure Sailing (Boat-2) – Islamorada, Florida
Monday, August 11th – No Troop Meeting
Monday, August 18th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (PLC) (BoR)- Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, August 25th – Court of Honor- Family Picnic 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday August 29th – 31st – Patrol Outing 2.0 (ACPS no school on Friday) – TBD
