Troop 131,
I hope everyone enjoyed a crisp fall weekend. This week is all about leadership: Scouts will teach Monday’s meeting, parents can learn about forming a Venture Crew on Wednesday, and older Scouts have an outstanding opportunity to attend NYLT this winter. With the Mustachio patrol moving on this spring, now is the time for the next generation of leaders to step up!
Thank you to Mr. Eric Reading and Mr. Chris Grocki for championing these leadership opportunities, and to every Scout and parent who has supported our pumpkin service this fall. Please note the NEW TIME for pumpkin cleanup on Sunday, November 1: 11:45 AM, not 8:00 AM—so yes, you get to sleep in. Wreath sales end Saturday, October 31, so make your final push this week!
TROOP MEETING – MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
We will have a troop meeting at 7:30 PM this Monday, October 26, at Immanuel Church on the Hill. Mr. Grocki will open by briefly talking with the Scouts about Venturing to gauge interest. Afterward, our SPL, Teddy, has planned a Scout-taught meeting: each patrol will receive or pick their own topic to teach the whole troop, build a lesson plan, and then deliver its lesson. This is great leadership practice as our older Scouts age out and the next group of leaders steps up—so come ready to teach, not just listen!
VENTURE CREW PARENT INFORMATION SESSION – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
See the note below from our Outdoor Chair, Mr. Chris Grocki. Venturing is a youth-led program for young men and women ages 14 through 20 that could operate alongside the troop and give our older Scouts new high-adventure and leadership opportunities. Parents, please join the Zoom session at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, October 28, to learn more and ask questions.
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Troop,
Next Wednesday (10/28) at 7:30 on Zoom we’ll have an information session for parents about the possibility of forming a Venture Crew to operate alongside the Troop. I’ll be briefly talking with the Scouts about this at the meeting on Monday to gauge interest. The purpose of the parents meeting is to provide some basic information about Venturing and answer any questions you have.
As Scouts grow older, many look for new ways to push their boundaries, build advanced leadership skills, and tackle outdoor challenges beyond traditional troop scouting. That’s where Venturing comes in! Venturing is a youth-led program of Scouts BSA for young men and women ages 14 through 20. While it shares the core values of Scouting, Venturing gives older youth complete autonomy to design, plan, and lead their own high-adventure treks, specialty outings, and community projects. If done well, this option can operate alongside the troop and complements the troop structure rather than detracting from it.
Meeting info is below. I hope to see you there.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87686136273?pwd=Supz5cp0NMoAEL83tVqRkEE3tjpgGm.1
Meeting chat link
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87686136273
Meeting ID: 876 8613 6273
Passcode: 767975
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Thanks,
Chris Grocki
Outings Coordinator
Boy Scout Troop 131
WREATH SALES – FINAL WEEK, ENDS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
Final week! Wreath sales end Saturday, October 31. Ask one more neighbor, one more relative, and one more coworker—the pie is still on the line.
Wreath sales continue through the end of October. This fundraiser directly supports troop adventures, so every Scout should make a strong effort to sell. As I mentioned at the last meeting, the top seller will earn a special incentive: the opportunity to put a whipped-cream pie in my face. Please support the troop—and apparently take your best shot at the Scoutmaster.
See the key details below from our Fundraising Chair, Mr. Green. Please refer to the email he sent out for more information.
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Kickoff: Monday, October 5. The sale runs through the end of October. Scouts should use the Order Form, Item Sales Aid, and QR Sticker Sheet.
Sales incentives: First place, $50; second place, $25; third place, $20.
How to order and pay: Paper order forms include a customer receipt and a troop copy. Payment is due when the order is placed by cash, check payable to Troop 131, Square, or Zelle. Circle the payment method and reconcile orders before submitting them.
Online store: https://my.evergreenindustries.com/#shop. Use customer code BSA131 and enter the Scout’s first and last name in the beneficiary field so the Scout receives credit.
QR stickers: Handwrite BSA131 beneath each code and test a sticker before distributing it. Please take a printed sheet only if you will use it; additional sheets may be printed at home.
Be prepared: Mr. Mills will hold the wreaths again this year. Complete forms, correct payments, and clear notes will make distribution much easier.
Be prepared, be persistent, and be the reason someone’s front door looks fabulous this December!
Mr. Green
Troop 131
PUMPKIN CLEANUP – NEW TIME: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 AT 11:45 AM
Scouts, please note the time change! Pumpkin cleanup and loading for Rikki’s Animal Refuge on Sunday, November 1 now starts at 11:45 AM—not 8:00 AM. Fair warning: the “pumpkin chunkin,” aka cleanup, is the most fun of all the pumpkin service days. Where else can you toss pumpkins and call it service? Please come out and finish the season strong for our sponsor, Immanuel Church on the Hill.
The update is below, followed by the original note from our Chartering Organization Representative, Francine Wargo.
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UPDATE: Pumpkin cleanup on Sunday, November 1 begins at 11:45 AM. This replaces the 8:00 AM estimate below.
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Pumpkin cleanup will be in two stages. The first on Sunday, November 1 – Rikki’s Animal Refuge is sending up a truck to take pumpkins back for their animals. They will need help early that morning to load up pumpkins. Probably 8:00 AM.
Saturday, November 7 will likely be a breakdown of the tents and grooming of the grounds. I’ll confirm that and let you know for sure.
Again, thank you!!
Francine
SCOUTING FOR FOOD – NOVEMBER 7 & 14
See the future service dates below from our Service Coordinator, Mrs. Vivian Ramirez. Scouts, remember to log your service hours and get a sign-off.
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Saturdays 11/7 and 11/14 Scouting for Food
Reminder (Scoutmaster Mark’s email has our calendar of upcoming events) this annual national Scouting BSA event supports our community partners focused on food-insecurity issues. Our efforts will benefit Alive! in support of our Alexandria community experiencing food insecurity – especially with oncoming holiday/colder seasons. Sign ups for both days here
Please feel free to ping me if you have questions. Thank you for your service to our community!
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Vivian Ramirez
Service Coordinator, BSA NCAC Troop 131
service@t131.org | 2026697727
SCOUT DAY – NAVAL ACADEMY
Our next camping trip is Naval Academy Scout Day. See information below from Mr. Chris Grocki concerning a return trip to the Naval Academy!
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All,
This year we’re heading back to the Naval Academy for camping and football. This was a great event two years ago and we have a large contingent of scouts who weren’t part of the troop then. Camping is at an Elk’s Lodge facility near Annapolis, and the event includes tickets to the game and a tour of the USNA campus from midshipmen who were scouts. Last time we even got to talk with the Superintendent (3-star) outside her house.
The game will be against Memphis and there are some details about the camping below. Sign-up link is at the bottom of this email.
Friday Nov 20, Scheduled Activities include:
* 3:00 pm – Unit Arrivals & Set Up Camp
* 12:00 am – Lights out
Scout Day Saturday Nov 21, Scheduled Activities include: (Tailgate Lunch Time is tentative & depends upon Kickoff time)
* 6:00 am – Continental Breakfast
* TBD – Tours of USNA by Midshipman (NESA) & USNA Scout Patch – (Reservations through USNA-check Navy website for further information)
* TBD – Lunch /Tailgate Lunch @ NAVYFEST – Southside of Stadium – along Taylor Ave
* TBD – USNA College Football Game: Midshipmen vs. Memphis Tigers.
* 6:00 pm – After Football Game – Return to Camp for Dinner
* 11:30 pm − Lights Out
Sunday Nov 22, Activities:
* 6:30 am – Hot Breakfast
* 8:30 am – Independent Interfaith Service
* 9:30 am – Clean Campsite/Depart from Camp
https://forms.gle/wcuvoLhpkUHFcF8h8
Thanks,
Chris Grocki
Outings Coordinator
Boy Scout Troop 131
NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING (NYLT) – CAMP SNYDER, JANUARY 15–18 & 30–31
See the note below from Assistant Scoutmaster Mr. Eric Reading. NYLT is one of the best leadership experiences Scouting offers, and I strongly encourage every eligible Scout—age 13 or older and First Class or above—to consider attending. In the past we have had scouts attend NYLT and they loved it! Please consider attending!
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With the Mustachio patrol moving on this spring, we are in the midst of a change of leadership in the troop. Developing great leaders is one of the major aims of scouting, and Scouting America offers an outstanding and fun leadership training program to help scouts be better leaders in their troop, sports, school, and career. NYLT is being offered at Camp Snyder twice this winter, and at least one scout from Troop 131 is registered for the session Jan 15-18 and 30-31. The program is for scouts age 13+ who have reached first class, or venture crew members. You can see more information and register at
https://scoutingevent.com/082-121369
2027 SUMMER CAMP – CAMP MARRIOTT, WEEK 1
Thank you to everyone who responded to the summer camp survey. Based on the feedback, Troop 131 will attend Week 1 at Camp Marriott for 2027 Summer Camp. The calendar currently lists camp from Sunday, June 27 through Saturday, July 3, 2027. Please save the dates; registration and program details will follow.
SCHEDULE: ONE MONTH(ISH) LOOK AHEAD
Monday, October 26 – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Wednesday, October 28 – Venture Crew Parent Information Session – 7:30 PM – Zoom
Saturday, October 31 – Wreath Sales End
Sunday, November 1 – Pumpkin Cleanup and Loading for Rikki’s Animal Refuge – NEW TIME: 11:45 AM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, November 2 – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, November 7 – Pumpkin Tent Breakdown and Grounds Cleanup – Time TBD – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, November 7 – Scouting for Food Sticker Distribution – Alexandria Neighborhoods
Monday, November 9 – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, November 14 – Scouting for Food Pickup – Alexandria Neighborhoods
Monday, November 16 – PLC – 6:45 PM; Troop Meeting and Boards of Review – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday, November 20–Sunday, November 22 – Naval Academy Scout Day – Annapolis, MD
UPCOMING SERVICE & TROOP DATES
Monday, November 23 – No Troop Meeting – Thanksgiving Week
Monday, November 30 – Troop Meeting and Troop Elections – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, December 5 – Scottish Walk – Old Town Alexandria
Friday, January 15–Monday, January 18 and Saturday, January 30–Sunday, January 31, 2027 – NYLT – Camp Snyder
Sunday, June 27–Saturday, July 3, 2027 – Summer Camp, Week 1 – Camp Marriott
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