Troop 131,
Wow, what a great scouting weekend! Thank you to all the scouts who came out and supported the pumpkin unloading at Immanuel Church on the Hill! We had two full crews of scouts and some of the scouts who were on the first shift stayed on for the second shift as well. See photos below!
Today, we had another training hike, and a hearty group of 10 scouts walked 10 miles from Alexandria all the way to Mount Vernon. Even though we had 20-pound packs on our backs we had a great time and did the trip in just over 3 hours! See photo below and great job, all and more to come…
TROOP MEETING
We will have a Troop meeting at 7:30 PM this Monday at Immanuel Church on the Hill!
First, I want to congratulate everyone who was at the meeting last week. I appreciate that troop was focused on the rocket building and making it all happen in what was a short amount of time. A special call out to the leadership core and the older scouts that helped make the rockets … you guys’ Rock(et)! If you missed the meeting last week, I have a few additional rockets and will bring them to the meeting. Scouts going to the camporee will have priority.
We have another critical meeting this Monday with two campouts to prepare for. The critical tasks are meal planning and the cleaning and restocking of the patrol bins. Nothing can get in the way of accomplishing this. As always, I would like to review all the meal plans/duty rosters once they are complete.
I would encourage all of you to consider Dutch oven cooking for the Climboree. We will be able to drop the gear directly off at the campsite and so it will be easier to bring cast iron pans and Dutch Ovens. I attached to this email a short Dutch oven cookbook for your reference.
Mr. Bolte (former T131 Scoutmaster) donated a long section climbing rope that is no longer suitable for actual climbing. A group of older scouts will cut it into 8′ sections then have you all fuse the ends using a camp stove. After this you will take the rope to other stations to learn and practice knots. You can take this rope home for future use and to practice knots.
FOUR MILE DISTRICT CAMPOREE
See information below from Mr. Grocki, the outdoor Coordinator. We have 17 scouts and 6 adults signed up for this trip, so if you would like to go, don’t delay and please sign up, it should be a lot of fun!
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Who: Aviation Enthusiasts
What: Four Mile Run District Camporee
When: Fri 17 Oct – Sun 19 Sep 2025
Where: FLYING CIRCUS AERODROME – Bealton, VA
Why: What’s better than camping and flying?
Cost: $50
Signups: https://forms.gle/X7qAx8NH8UZCthPV6
We’ll leave from the church Friday afternoon and camp two nights.
This year’s Camporee theme is “The Wonders of Flight!” Scouts attending the Camporee will be able to complete the Aviation & Space Exploration merit badges, as well as:
Experience a cool old-timey air show with restored/replica historic aircraft – watch barnstorming, wing-walking, parachute jumping and aerobatics (weather permitting). Hear the roar of the engines, smell the oil, crane your neck up up up …. Look at that, what that guy’s doin’ up there!?
Have the opportunity to launch your own solid fuel powered rocket!
Enjoy a wonderful campfire program and fellowship.
The camporee will be held at the Flying Circus Aerodrome located 14 miles SE of Warrenton, VA, just off Route 17 at 5114 Ritchie Road (Route 644) in Bealeton, VA.
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.
WREATH SALE
It is that time of year, our one main fundraiser for the year! The money raised from the sale of the wreaths helps pay for much of the activities, patches and gear that we need. We have a big group of new scouts, and I hope you all will help if you can. We are looking for 80% participation this year! Mr. Green has graciously volunteered to be our fundraising chair this year, please see the note below and attached files from him with more details.
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Troop Wreath Sales & Fundraising Drive
We’re kicking off this year’s wreath sales! Over 50% of sales go directly toward your camping trips and scouting equipment, so your effort really pays off for the whole troop.
Our Goal: 80% troop participation (last year only 1/3 participated—let’s do better!)
Sales Target: Sell 3 wreaths, swags, garlands, or other holiday decorations
Pro tip: Mention the door hangers and plastic bags when selling!
Amazon Gift Card Prizes for Top Sellers:
- 1st Place: $50
- 2nd Place: $35
- 3rd Place: $25
Merit Badge Opportunity
Earn your Salesmanship Merit Badge through this fundraiser! Visit https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/salesmanship to review requirements. Complete items #1, 3, and 7 on your own—we’ll cover the rest at a troop meeting.
Key Dates & Details
Sales Period: October 6 – November 1, 2025
- Collect payment with each order (Zelle or Square preferred)
- Orders delivered to: Mr. Mill’s house, 213 E Randolph Ave, Alexandria, VA (pick up from here)
- Sales kits include glossy brochures and clipboards (distributed at pack meetings)
- Direct shipping available for out-of-area customers (contact Mr. Green for details)
- Orders will be delivered the first week of December (Dec 3-5)
Need help with your sales pitch?
Our fundraising chair, Mr. Green, is ready to help you craft your sales pitch and build confidence in reaching your goals. Find him at any troop meeting or reach out with questions.
See attached product flyer and sample order form for pricing and options.
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Best Regards,
Steve
SERVICE CORNER
SCOUTING for FOOD
See note below from Mrs. Ramirez (Service Coordinator) for our annual Scouting For Food on Saturday November 1 and Saturday November 8. We will need full troop participation for this, so please mark your calendars. Hours for this will count as service hours for rank advancement.
Scouting for Food in Alexandria will again benefit ALIVE!, which provides support to Alexandrians struggling with food insecurity and economic disparity. SFF is one of its biggest food drives and will take place:
Saturday November 1st – Scouts distribute SFF stickers
Saturday November 8th – Scouts collect donations in the morning and deliver to ALIVE’s Old Town Warehouse at 801 S. Payne Street
We will be distributing SFF door stickers again this year stamped “next Saturday” in the same SFF territory and the same number of SFF stickers that you had in 2024. Here’s the map of our SFF territory.
Thank you for supporting Scouting For Food!
HOLMES RUN CLEANUP
For anyone not going on Climboree this weekend, the City of Alexandria is coordinating a clean-up on Saturday October 11 (THIS SATURDAY) along Holmes Run, behind Beatley Central Library, from 9-11am. This event is a part of the International Coastal Cleanup. To sign up, please email Anthony Minnick with the City of Alexandria.
TROOP GOOGLE GROUP AND EMAIL DISTRIBUTION
PARENTS: Many of the scout’s email addresses are not included in this distribution list. If you would like to include them on troop distribution. Please email Patrick Byrnett (Membership Chair) and he can add their information.
SUMMER CAMP
For the long-term planners in the troop, we are locked in for the following two summer camp experiences:
· Goshen – Camp Olmsted Week 3 (July 5th – 11th) – traditional summer camp
o https://www.gotogoshen.org/camps-programs/camp-olmsted/
· Goshen – Lenhoksin Week 4 (July 12th – 18th ) backpacking trek
o https://www.gotogoshen.org/camps-programs/lenhoksin-high-adventure/
Sign up for camp will happen in the new year and once after the release of the merit badge schedules.
NYLT
See link below for National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). In the past we have had a number of scouts who participated in this program, and they all came back raving about how good it is.
https://ncacscouting.org/training/nylt/
SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead
Monday, October 6th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (PLC) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday, October 10th – 13th – Camping – NCAC Climboree (long weekend) – Camp Mountaineer, WV
Monday, October 13th – No Meeting- Federal Holiday
Friday, October 17th – 19th – 4 Mile Run Camporee – Wonders of the Flight – Flying Circus Aerodrome – Bealton, VA
Saturday, October 18th – Pumpkin Drop off 2 – 8:30am to noon – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, October 20th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (BoR) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, October 27th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, Nov. 1st – Pumpkin Clean Up – 8:30am to noon – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, Nov. 1st – Scouting for Food Sticker Distribution- Alexandria Neighborhoods
Monday, November 3rd – Troop Meeting, AOL Visit & Spaghetti Dinner – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, Nov.8th t – Scouting for Food Pickup- Alexandria Neighborhoods
Monday, November 10th – No Troop Meeting -Federal Holiday – Veterans Day
Friday, Nov. 14th -16th – Camping Trip- Backpacking – Mud Hole Gap – Fort Valley, VA
