Troop 131,
I hope you all had a great weekend. As a Scout I love Eagles, however, unfortunately for me, the Commanders did not win the day! In our family, we are both Commanders and Eagles fans, so I will be rooting for the Eagles in the Super Bowl!
In addition, I am recovering from a cold so I will likely NOT make the meeting on Monday.
The winter backpacking trip was a great success and from what I understand all the scouts had a great time hiking in the mountain snow! All that went earned a special polar bear patch & woggle!
We only have two weeks until the caving trip, so please sign up!
TROOP MEETING
We will have a Troop meeting at 7:30PM this Monday at Immanuel Church on the Hill!
SCOUT SUNDAY
This coming Sunday (Feb 2nd) is Scout Sunday. For those that don’t know and from the BSA web site:
Scouts BSA designates the Sunday that falls before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scout Sunday, which is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting.
Mrs. Wargo has coordinated with the church, and they requested that Scouts arrive at 10:00 Sunday service at Immanuel Chapel.
Please note that is NOT where the troop meets, but just up Seminary Road – the first right – on the Virginia Theological Seminary campus. As some of you may recall, we have had the past two Scout Sunday services there.
We would like to have at least four to five Scouts attend; to carry the Cross, the American flag, Troop flag and to help with reading and prayers. We will have copies in advance so that you can practice.
Please volunteer at the meeting!
I encourage all you who can attend please to do so and show our support for our amazing sponsor and chartering organization, Immanuel Church on the Hill!
JOHN WELLS EAGLE PROJECT
John is going to do the second part of his Eagle project on Sunday the 2nd and is looking for a few scouts to help him out. See message from John below:
Scouts,
I am pleased to announce the second part of my Eagle Scout Project (raised bed building at Chinquapin park). It will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 2nd. Bring gardening/work gloves, I have spares but not enough for everyone potentially. This is a great opportunity for service hours so stop by and help yourself and your community. Have a great week.
Sign-Up Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A48ABA92BA0F8CE9-54657960-raised
CAVING TRIP
See message below from Mr. Mulvaney about the upcoming caving trip. The last time we did this all the scouts had a great time! So please sign up if you want to go.
Who: All the Adventuresome Scouts
What: Troop 131 Caving and Hiking trip
When: Fri 7 Feb- Sun 9 Feb 2025
Where: Mt Solon area (about 2.5 hours from Alexandria)
Why: Return to the Darkness
Cost: $40
This is a BACKPACKING Trip. We drive out Friday afternoon/ evening to the Harrisonburg area. Camp Friday night. Get up Sat and do the caving, then hike and camp Sat. Return on Sunday
Sign up https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jWDpuManOtIG5Fuj__co3fvl9KOdK6ODpoWz0LQbZGU/
Easiest way to make payment for this or other Scout events is Zelle:
Name: TreasurerT131
Email: Treasurer@T131.Org
When making payment via Zelle, please be sure to add a note telling the Treasurer what the payment is for; alternately, you can send a separate email.
Brendan Mulvaney
Outings Coordinator
Boy Scout Troop 131
SUMMER CAMP
We will start the summer camp enrollment process in February and more information is to come, but the troop is locked in for Camp Marriot Week-3 (7/6 – 7/12) at Goshen Scout Reservation.
Stay tuned….
UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING (for adults)
Scouters, the annual event, is coming up again. I have gone in the past and it is a great opportunity to learn something new and hang out with other adult leaders.
See link below for more information if you are interested.
https://scoutingevent.com/082-90229
MERIT BADGE OPPORTUNITIES
See info shared to me by Mr. Saulski!
…. below are the two upcoming MB opportunities I mentioned to you.
The first is the Accotink Bay District Merit Badge Jamboree on Feb 1, which can be found here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-mbj2025.
The second is the Building Momentum welding MB and composite materials MB clinic on Feb 17 (President’s Day), which can be found here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-93523 (I just noticed that welding is already sold out).
I would also note that Building Momentum (now calling itself “Innovation Academy” for the kids/Scout events) also has Scout MB summer camps, which we might wish to announce. See here, https://www.buildmocamps.com/bsa-summer-camp and here https://scoutingevent.com/082-94090.
Regards,
Paul
SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead
Monday, January 27th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Sunday February 2nd – Scout Sunday
Monday, February 3rd – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday February 7th– 8th – Winter Camping & Caving Trip
Monday, February 10th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (BoR)(PLC) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, February 17th – No Troop Meeting- Presidents Day
Saturday, February 22nd – Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, February 22nd – University of Scouting
Monday, February 24th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday March 3rd – Court of Honor
Monday, March 10th – Troop Meeting (BoR)(PLC)- 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
