hope everyone is surviving the cold weather and we are certainly getting a proper taste of winter!
There was not enough interest in the Klondike Derby, so we decided not to register for it. As a result, we will focus on the upcoming Winter Camping, Orienteering and Hiking Trip at Prince William Forest. This is “Car Camping” for most of the Troop, however, I am going to ask the Philmont Scouts to treat this like a backpacking trip and pack accordingly. We will all arrive Friday night, however the Philmont Scouts will pack up their tents and gear Saturday morning and do a 10-mile loop, returning to the same site as the rest of the troop and re-pitching their tents. Non Philmont Scouts are welcome to join the hike with day-packs.
TROOP MEETING
We will have a Troop meeting at 7:30PM this Monday at Immanuel Church on the Hill! This meeting will focus on cooking and cleaning, something we always need to work on!
I know there were scouts who attended the merit badge jamboree this weekend and I look forward to signing lots of complete blue cards on Monday!
SCOUT SUNDAY
See message below from your Chaplain’s Aide – John Porter Reading. I will be out of town this coming weekend, but I urge you all to attend and show support for our amazing sponsor! All are welcome and the sign-up slots below are to participate in the services.
Scout Sunday is February 8, and Troop 131 will be joining our sponsor Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill at the 10am service at Seminary Chapel, on the Seminary grounds across Seminary Rd from where the troop meets. We have 12 volunteer roles for scouts to sign up, and all scouts and scouters attending should come in full uniform. Volunteers should arrive at 9:30am so we can learn the roles for the service. Please sign up for roles with the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0545AAAC29A4F4C70-62024137-scout
FACEBOOK – BSA TROOP 131 – Alexandria, VA
Parents – I now have admin access to the troop Facebook account, so if you would like to be able to see or post photos to it from troop activities, please put a request in to join and I will add you!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/315489231900796
WILDERNESS FIRST AID
To attend high adventure camps 2-3 people on each crew are required to have CPR and Wilderness First Aid training. Either Adults or Scouts can full this minimum requirement, however, we would like the adults to take this training if they can. The training is good for a two-year span, and I included the link below for anyone interested in taking it.
The training takes place at Camp Snyder and is a full weekend (12-14 hours on Saturday and 8-10 on Sunday). You do NOT camp overnight and you can sleep in your own bed on Saturday night!
https://www.gotosnyder.org/year-round-events/outdoor-preparedness-initiative/
UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING – February 21st
Adults, for those that are interested, see link below.
https://scoutingevent.com/082-2026UofS
SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead
2026
Monday, February 2nd – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Sunday, February 8th – Scout Sunday – Immanuel Chapel (At the Seminary)
Monday, February 9th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (PLC- 6:45) (BoR)- Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, February 16th – No Troop Meeting – Federal Holiday – Presidents Day
Friday, Feb. 20th – 22nd – Winter Camping – Orienteering and Hiking – Prince William Forest
Saturday, February 21st – University of Scouting – Hayfield Secondary School
Monday, February 23rd – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, March 2nd – Troop Court of Honor- Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, March 7th – Entrepreneurship Merit Badge – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, March 9th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (PLC) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Thursday, March 12th – Committee, ASM and Parents Meeting – TBD
