Troop 131,
What a morning! Thank you to everyone who came out for pumpkin cleanup—aka pumpkin chunking—today. We absolutely rocked it and got all the work done in just over an hour. Many hands make light work, and Immanuel Church on the Hill was very appreciative of our labor. Where else can you toss pumpkins and call it service?
We also have a big celebration this week: congratulations to Josiah Baldwin, Troop 131’s newest Eagle Scout! Josiah completed his Eagle Board of Review on Saturday, so Scouts, please be sure to congratulate him on this amazing accomplishment when you see him.
Looking ahead, please sign up for Scouting for Food—we still have lots of open slots, especially for the pickup on Saturday, November 14, and we need adult drivers. Please also lend Jack Norris a hand with his Eagle project next Sunday, November 8 (see below), and plan to be at the meeting on Monday, November 9, when we begin welcoming Arrow of Light Scouts, including Pack 135.
TROOP MEETING – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2
We will have a troop meeting at 7:30 PM this Monday, November 2, at Immanuel Church on the Hill. Our SPL, Teddy, has a good plan using lashings! As always, Scouts should arrive in their Class A uniform, ready to participate and work with their patrols. With no school for ACPS on Monday, there is no excuse for being tired—so come with plenty of energy!
TROOP 131’S NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT – JOSIAH BALDWIN
Congratulations to Josiah Baldwin on earning Scouting’s highest rank! Josiah completed his Eagle Board of Review on Saturday, and we are incredibly proud of him. Scouts, please congratulate him on this amazing accomplishment at Monday’s meeting. See the announcement below from our Advancement Chair, Mrs. Kathryn Farmer.
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We are very pleased to announce Troop 131’s newest Eagle Scout: Josiah Baldwin! Josiah crossed the bridge to Troop 131 just before COVID shut down in-person scouting for a while. Rather than fall away from scouting, he dug in and has become a quiet leader, often sought out by younger scouts for sign offs. Josiah spearheaded an Eagle project revamping/rebuilding garden beds at Community Lodgings in Arlandria. And he successfully completed his Eagle Board on Halloween!
Many Congratulations Josiah!
Kathryn Farmer
Advancement Chair, Troop 131
SCOUTING FOR FOOD – NOVEMBER 7 & 14 – VOLUNTEERS & ADULT DRIVERS NEEDED
We still have lots of open slots, especially for the pickup on Saturday, November 14, and we also need adult drivers! Please use the sign-up link below today—this is one of the most meaningful service projects we do all year. 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
JACK NORRIS EAGLE PROJECT – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Scouts, please sign up to help Jack Norris with his Eagle project next Sunday, November 8, starting at 10:00 AM. Jack and his crew will build a bench around a tree at Pat Miller Square—first in Mr. Jahns’ driveway, followed by installation. Eagle projects are a great way to earn service hours and pay it forward; someday it may be your project that needs the extra hands! See Jack’s note and sign-up link below.
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Hello everyone, I am looking for volunteers to come and assist in my Eagle Scout project next Sunday, 11/08/2026. We will be building a bench around a tree at Pat Miller Square. Mr Jahns has been gracious enough to offer his driveway for the actual building portion. The installation will follow. Start time is 10:00 am. The Sign-up genius is included below. Thank you all very much.
Jack Norris
ARROW OF LIGHT VISITORS – STARTING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Beginning Monday, November 9, we will start hosting visitors from Arrow of Light dens, including Pack 135. It is important that all Scouts come to these meetings and engage with our future Scouts—introduce yourself, bring them into your patrol activities, and show them what makes Troop 131 great. Not that long ago, you were the one visiting!
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
MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY AT CUA – DECEMBER 12–13 (REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 30)
See the note below from our Advancement Chair, Mrs. Kathryn Farmer, about Merit Badge University at The Catholic University of America. This is a great chance to make real advancement progress over a winter weekend—just remember that registration closes Monday, November 30, at 11:59 PM ET.
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An NCAC merit badge opportunity in December has opened registration:
Washington, D.C. District – Merit Badge University at CUA
December 12 – December 13 | The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
The Washington, D.C. District is excited to announce that CUA Merit Badge University is BACK this winter! Scouts are invited to join Merit Badge Counselors and volunteers for two days of advancement and learning at The Catholic University of America.
Dates: Saturday, December 12, & Sunday, December 13, 2026
Registration Closes: Monday, November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
YiS,
Kathryn Farmer
Advancement Chair, 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, November 2 – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill (No School ACPS)
Saturday, November 7 – Scouting for Food Sticker Distribution – Alexandria Neighborhoods
Sunday, November 8 – Jack Norris Eagle Project – 10:00 AM – Pat Miller Square
Monday, November 9 – Troop Meeting and Arrow of Light Visit (Pack 135) – 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
Monday, November 23 – No Troop Meeting – Thanksgiving Week
Monday, November 30 – Troop Meeting and Troop Elections – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, November 30 – Merit Badge University Registration Closes – 11:59 PM ET
UPCOMING SERVICE & TROOP DATES
Saturday, December 5 – Scottish Walk – Old Town Alexandria
Monday, December 7 – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, December 12 – Day Hike – Appalachian Trail: Linden to Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Saturday, December 12–Sunday, December 13 – Merit Badge University – The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
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
