Troop 131,
I hope everyone is enjoying themselves. I am about to leave town for a business trip (boondoggle) and as a result I am sending out my weekend email early. Unfortunately, I will miss Monday’s meeting but there will be other adult leaders there to help you all out if necessary.
All please attend Scout Sunday if you can, see info below and thank you to all the scouts who have already signed up to help with the services!
TROOP MEETING & BoR
We will have a Troop meeting at 7:30PM this Monday at Immanuel Church on the Hill! Your leadership team will have a good plan for the meeting!
During the meeting we will hold a Board of Review for at least three scouts! PARENTS, Mrs. Farmer needs volunteers for the Board, please email her if you can serve.
Due to the Federal Holiday on February 16th, we will need to do MEAL PLANNING at THIS meeting. So, please sign up for the camping trip (see below) so we verify the cooking patrol assignments! (Patrol leaders please print out and take to the meeting).
SCOUT SUNDAY
See message below from your Chaplain’s Aide – John Porter Reading. I will be out of town on Sunday, but I urge you all to attend and show support for our amazing sponsor! All are welcome and the slots below are just 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
WINTER CAMPING – PRINCE WILLIAM FOREST
See note below from Mr. Grocki our Outdoor Chair. Please sign up! Orienteering is the theme and this should be a fun trip!
Who: Everyone in Troop 131 is invited!
What: Winter Camping
When: Friday 20 Feb – Sun 22 Feb 2026
Where: Prince William Forest (https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/turkeyrunridge.htm)
Why: There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear!
We’ve reserved a group campsite at Turkey Run Ridge in Prince William Forest. This will be car camping and we are allowed up to 40 people and 6 cars. During the day on Saturday the Philmont scouts will be doing a 10 mile hike with packs which other scouts are welcome to join with a day pack (or full backpack if you want to challenge yourself). We’ll also work on some orienteering skills.
Remember there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing and gear- so be prepared as winter camping is no joke!
Cost: $20/scout
https://forms.gle/1Y7563TdBAVwZw8U8
Thanks,
Chris Grocki
Outings Coordinator
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
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
