Troop 131,
I hope you are having a great long weekend. We will not hold a meeting on Monday and observe MLK day, however, there is important information below concerning the upcoming trips, so please read!
For ACPS students there is no school next Monday (January 26th) however we will hold a scout meeting.
WINTER BACKPACKING? – Saturday January 24th – 25th (weather update)
The weather is not looking good for us (Freezing rain and temperatures well below 20 degrees at night). We will monitor the weather this week and make a final decision on Wednesday. If we think that the temperature is unsafe, then we will likely change this into a day hike. This will be very similar to what we did at the end of last year. Bring nearly full packs, hike to the shelter, cook a hot lunch, tent races, bear bag throwing, come down the mountain and be home for dinner!
Stay tuned and look for an email from me or Mr. Grocki!
KLONDIKE DERBY? – February 6th– 8th
Some people expressed interest in attending the Four Mile Run District Klondike Derby, see link below. In lieu of camping for two nights (Friday and Saturday), there is also the option to camp only one night or not at all and make this a day trip. Camp High Road is about an hour’s drive away. Scouts you will have to build a sled to participate, so please keep that in mind!
Unfortunately, I will be out of town that weekend, however, if there is sufficient scout interest and enough adult participation, we will register to attend.
Look for an upcoming link to a signup form from Mr. Grocki if you are interested.
https://scoutingevent.com/082-107994
Who: Everyone in Troop 131 is invited!
What: 21st ANNUAL – FOUR MILE RUN DISTRICT KLONDIKE DERBY
When: Friday February 6th -8th 2026
Where: Camp High Road, Middleburg Virginia
Why: Because it looks like a lot of fun!
We have the option to camp or make this a day trip. Given that this is scouting, my preference is for camping at least one night!
Cost: $35/ person
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 fulfill 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/
ACCOTINK BAY DISTRICT – Merit Badge Jamboree – January 31st
For those that are interested, see link below.
https://scoutingevent.com/082-mbj2026
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
Monday, January 19th – No Troop Meeting – Federal Holiday – MLK Birthday
Friday, January 24th – 25th – Winter Camping – Backpacking – Linden/Whisky Hollow
Monday, January 26th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (ACPS – No School)- Immanuel Church on the Hill
Saturday, January 30th – Accotink Bay District Merit Badge Jamboree – Aldersgate United Methodist Church
Monday, February 2nd – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday, February 6th– 8th – Klondike Derby – Camp High Road (Tentative)
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
