2026-03-08 This Week: Troop Meeting, PLC, Shooting Trip Info, Old Rag, Summer Camp – Olmsted & Lenhok’sin, Public Speaking Merit Badge, Merit Badge updates, NOVA Merit Badge Courses, One month Look Ahead

Troop 131,

Thank you to all who came out and participated in Monday’s Court of Honor.  Scouts, you did an amazing job, and it was great to see so many rank and merit badge advancements. I was especially gratified to see how many activities we put together over the last few months and how many of you participated!

Unfortunately, I will be out of town once again this Monday (travel to Montreal) but there will be other leaders there if you need anything.

There is a TON of information below, please read!

PARENTS: We have an upcoming Committee/ASM/Parents meeting on Thursday, March 19^th.

We decided to move the upcoming Fishing trip from mid-April to May 15^th-17^th.  This was done so that we could have a better chance of warmer weather (for both the scouts and the fish)

TROOP MEETING & PLC

We will have a Troop meeting at 7:30PM this Monday at Immanuel Church on the Hill! Your leadership team will have a good plan!

Even though I will be out of town, I would still like you to have a Patrol Leaders Conference (PLC).  The SPL, ASPL’s, Patrol Leaders and others in leadership positions should arrive at 6:45 and discuss the upcoming meetings and camping trips.

SHOOTING & CAMPING TRIP INFO

For the Shooting trip 13-15 March.

For those camping Friday night we will meet at the Church parking lot late Friday afternoon and drive out to the Izaak Walton League Poolseville Chapter together. Mike Farmer will be sending out maps, pictures, and written direction this week for anyone that misses the caravan. 

Even if we leave on time on Friday (when has that ever happened?) we won’t get to the campground until dark, or close to it. Recommend everyone bring a bagged dinner or something very easy to make at the campsite.

We will be up early on Saturday to cook, clean up, and head over to the range. This will involve caravaning together in cars as the property is fairly large and the trail doesn’t go straight to the range. We will have a non-shooting instructional period to review the proper function and use of a .22 LR rifle prior to shooting. The shooters will be broken into three groups: shooters, on deck, and workers. We will rotate after every round of shooting.

The workers will be doing maintenance work for the shooting range. Repairing broken target stands and clearing underbrush. Adults – if you have cordless drills, screwdrivers, rakes, and (for adults only) brush clearing equipment please bring that as well.

This IS NOT the Rifle Merit badge. We have not done any of the classroom work. This is meant to be a familiarization on the .22 rifle and a safe, fun, outing. If our scouts, upon completion of the weekend, wish to pursue a rifle merit badge, we have three Rifle MB instructors in the troop that they can work with. Save your targets as you can use qualifying scores if you decide you want the merit badge.

TRAINING HIKE – OLD RAG

This is a tough but fun hike.  It is nearly 10 miles with a significant section that requires rock scrambling. We will bring full daypacks, and I ask all scouts who attend to pair up with a buddy or two so that you can cook a HOT meal for lunch.   The troop will cover the fees/permit (if you sign up by 3/7). See information below from Mr. Grocki!

We already have 15 scouts who are signed up!

Who: Open to All Scouts
What: Philmont Training Hike
When: Saturday 21 March @ 0700
Where: Old Rag
Why: Best hike in NOVA

Cost: $0

– Bring your pack with your 10 essentials

– Bring snacks and plenty of water.

– Bring a camp stove and supplies for a hot meal

– Hiking boots preferred (strongly suggested)

– Wear your green T-131 Class B shirt.

We’ll be hiking the Old Rag Circuit in Shenandoah National Park.  This is a 9.4 mile, very strenuous trail with multiple rock scrambles and will take all day with travel.  Participation is highly encouraged for all Philmont Scouts but all are welcome.  Old Rag now requires a $2 day permit, so I’ll get permits for everyone signed up by 3/7.  Anyone who wants to join after that will be responsible for their own permit if any are still available.

Please sign up at the link below:

https://forms.gle/41P4mZ3W8zszTXby7

Thanks,

Chris Grocki

Outings Coordinator

Boy Scout Troop 131

SUMMER CAMP- OLMSTED

Hello all,

Ready to have a blast this summer at Goshen?  Then fill out our Goshen registration form!

This year the Troop will be attending Camp Olmsted from Sunday, July 5 – Saturday, July 11. Early bird registration is $580.

If you want to have the best chance of getting your first choice in merit badges, you need to be registered (via the form) and paid (pay camp fees to the troop treasurer) by March 28.

The form has plenty of information about logistics and allows campers to choose all their merit badge sessions, etc., but if you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time at summercamp@t131.org. If you are in need of a campership to help pay for Goshen registration, there’s still time — please apply here. 

Thanks!
Mike Gruss and Meghan Hoyer

SUMMER CAMP – LENHOK’SIN TRAIL TREK

What is better than summer camp?  Two summer camps! For those that just cannot get enough or those scouts going to Philmont and who want a final training session, this is your opportunity to go on a 5-day trek through the mountains of Western Virginia. It is a good way to test yourself and maximize backpacking experiences!

Who: Scouts in the troop over 13 (by 9/1/2026)

What: Lenhok’sin Trail Trek

When: Goshen Week 4 (7/12-7/18)

Where: Goshen Scout Reservation – Camp Baird

Why: Philmont Training and we LOVE Backpacking

Cost: $675 or $645 by 4/15 (early bird)

NOTES:

MAX of 12 SCOUTS- so sign up early

Please use the link below to indicate your interest in attending:

https://forms.gle/eEKjdBT95nm5G8xZ6

Here is a link to Goshen Website if you would like more information:

https://www.gotogoshen.org/camps-programs/lenhoksin-high-adventure/

Thanks,

Chris Grocki

Outings Coordinator

Boy Scout Troop 131

PUBLIC SPEAKING MERIT BADGE

All those that started the Public Speaking Merit Badge, Mr. Green and Mr. Gross have agreed to help you complete the final requirements.  Please see them at one of the future meetings and talk to them about what you completed and what you have left!  They will help you get to the finish line.

MERIT BADGE UPDATES

Mrs. Farmer (Advancement Chair) sent this link to me from Scouting America (National) concerning updates to the Merit Badges.  For the most part (but not exclusively) the changes are routine, and they are always updating and adjusting the program requirements. The interesting thing is that they will have digital resources (as a companion to the pamphlets) available for use.  However, if you start a new merit badge, make sure you have the current requirements.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQfCDNPWLhbKHCJBpBHvxcbtPdD?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1

https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/digital-resource-guides/

NORTHERN VA MERIT BADGE COURSES

See note below from Mr. Reading (ASM).   Thank you for putting this together!

As the parent of scouts in two different troops, I’ve pretty actively monitored scoutingevent.org and the local parks and recreation departments for merit badge courses, and I’ve been surprised how hard they are to find all the sources, and how few parents know about them. I decided to organize all the various offerings into a chronological spreadsheet with open viewing access and keep it updated. Feel free to pass this around within the troop and beyond.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQfCDRrGDLpmVdCGZswLzNnkzlW

SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead

Monday, March 9^th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (PLC) – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Friday, March 13^th– 15^th – Camping/Shooting Trip- Izaak Walton League, MD

Monday, March 16^th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (BoR) – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Thursday, March 19^th – Committee, ASM and Parents Meeting – TBD

Saturday, March 21^st – Day Trip to Old Rag- Etlan, VA

Monday, March 23^rd – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (OA Elections) – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Monday, March 30^th – NO Troop Meeting – Spring Break

Monday, April 6^th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (No School ACPS) – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Friday, April 10^th -12^th – OA Ordeal 4 Mile Run Chapter, Outdoor Lab Arlington

Saturday, April 11^th – Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Saturday, April 11^th – Backpacking and Hiking Merit Badge Class – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Monday, April 13^th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (BoR) (PLC 6:45) – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Friday April 17^th -19^th – Backpacking Trip- White Oak Falls

Monday, April 20^th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Friday April 24^th – 26^th – OA Spring Ordeal/Fellowship – Camp Snyder

Monday, April 27^th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Saturday May 2^nd – Day Trip – 21st Annual NCAC Scout Orienteering Meet – Prince William Forest

Monday, May 4^th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Saturday May 9^th – Day Hike – 20 Miles Jones Point to Mount Vernon (round trip)- Alexandria/Fairfax

Monday, May 11^th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (BoR) (PLC 6:45) – Immanuel Church on the Hill

Friday May 15^th -17^th – Fishing Trip – Double M Farm, Mt. Crawford VA

Friday May 15^th -17^th – OA Conclave – Rodney Scout Reservation