This is the last meeting before summer camp! Even though I am not going with you, I am excited for all of you and I know it will be a great time! Please make sure you get your gear ready, submit your paperwork to Mrs. Lacayo and complete all your prerequisite requirements! I am happy to sign off anything that you completed at the meeting! For those going to summer camp, see some additional information below.
Please note that there is no troop meeting next week!
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 continues the focus on First Aid Training.
Your SPL asked that you BRING YOUR NECKERCHIEF to the meeting as you will need it for the instruction.
The SPL will focus on the following requirements:
- First Class requirements; 7a, 7d, 7f, and maybe 7e if time permits.
As always, be sure to bring your book and ask an older scout to sign off on any rank requirements you have completed!
SUMMER CAMP – PATROL ORGANIZATION
As a Scout led troop we follow the patrol method, as a result Andrew Devlin (current Assistant Sr. Patrol Leader) will be your Acting Sr. Patrol Leader during camp. You are expected to follow his leadership and instruction as you would the current SPL, Owen Farmer.
In addition, since all meals are organized and eaten at our campsite (as opposed to a Dining Hall like at Camp Olmsted), we are going to break down the troop in four (mixed age) Cooking/Duty Patrols. This patrol organization will be used for cooking, cleaning, when we assemble for the flag ceremony, going to campfires, etc.
The patrol leaders will work with the adult leaders to create a duty roster. Some of the things that each scout must do include collecting the food for a meal, getting water, cleaning up & taking the trash to the dumpster after the meal, boiling water for cleaning (3 bucket method), cleaning the latrine (yes you ALL will have to do this), policing the camp site and making sure it is clean and in order, etc!
We successfully used a similar approach two years ago when we went to Camp Bowman and we reinstated this for Camp Marriott. Please keep in mind that these are summer camp only patrols, you will return to your normal patrol organization after camp.
The four patrol leaders are the most senior scouts in the troop that are going:
Patrol 1: Andrew Devlin (yes Andrew will do double duty as SPL and PL)
Patrol 2: Jonathan Nguyen
Patrol 3: Luke Irwin
Patrol 4: Rylan McDonald
Like in the past we will adopt a bigfoot theme for the cooking/duty patrols, see list below:
- Flaming Bigfoot
- Zombie Bigfoot
- Sasquatch
- Yeti
- Skunk Ape (Adult Patrol)
As their first task, I will ask the patrol leaders determine which patrol name they want to use for their patrol!
We are still working on the patrol assignments and will let you all know before you go.
With so many scouts going, I encourage all of you to determine beforehand who is your tent mate. Goshen provides open-style canvas tents, on a wood base, with cots for you to sleep on. There are two cots to a tent and you must be within two years of age to share a tent with another scout. You do NOT need to bunk with someone in your Goshen/Cooking Patrol and can share a tent with someone from your regular patrol.
Have fun everyone and let me know if you have any questions!
REI SALE
For gearheads like me … It is the most wonderful time of the year!
Mr. Grocki reminded me REI has their bi-annual sale going on right now and there are all kinds of good stuff discounted. Specifically, he pointed out the Trail Made Backpacking Bundle, see link below. Within the coming year, there will be quite a few back-packing trips and as we train for Philmont next summer, so if you need to upgrade your camping equipment, now is a good time!
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 don’t 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 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
