Troop 131,
For those that were at Goshen-Camp Olmsted last week, welcome back! From the emails and photographs, it looks like everyone had a great time, including a very interesting run-in with a bear not once but twice! I look forward to hearing even more stories at the next meeting.
The troop completed nearly 80 Merit Badges, 4 Rank Advancements, and 6 scouts competed in the mile swim. Way to go- you all ROCK. I was also very proud and happy to hear that we were awarded Troop-of-the-Week! That is amazing and not something that we have been able to accomplish in living memory! A special call out goes to Teddy and Thomas for excellent scouting leadership over the week!
Congratulations to all of you and a big thank you to all the Adults and Scouters (Meghan Hoyer, Mike Gruss, Eric Reading, John Yuda, Jed Arnold, Don Niss, Patrick Byrnett & Rick Westfall) who helped with the planning and/or gave up their time to attend with the troop. We could not have done it without you!
To give you all a chance to catch your breath and some time for Mrs. Farmer (Advancement Chair) and me to process all the Merit Badges you earned – there will not be a troop meeting on Monday. The next meeting is on Monday July 20th, which is also the day we are planning to hold Board of Reviews (BoR). If you have completed all the requirements for your next Rank, then please let me know. Mrs. Farmer will miss the meeting next Monday; however, Mrs. Ramirez (Service Coordinator) will organize any board of reviews in her absence.
PHILMONT SHAKEDOWN HIKE & CREW MEETINGS
First, Mr. Grocki and I will host the final Shakedown Hike on Saturday July 18th. A sign-up link will go out shortly. Philmont scouts who are in town are strongly encouraged to attend and bring your FULL PACK (as if you were on the trail), including a full 4 Liter of Water. This is a day-hike (with an early morning start) and we are thinking of a moderate 6 or 8-mile trail at Prince William Forest. If something does not work, then you will still have time to address or buy an alternative before we leave 10 days later. As part of this, we will practice throwing bear bags, cook a hot lunch and use the Philmont pots/stoves that we have.
Scouts who are not going to Philmont are very much welcome to attend, just bring your day pack, 10 essentials, a pack lunch and at least 2Liters of water.
Second, we are going to host two Crew gatherings; the first on Monday July 20th at 6:30 and then again, the following week on Monday July 20th at 6:30 (both right before the Troop meeting). We ask that Philmont scouts bring their Full Pack for a formal review. We will use the Philmont checklist as a guide (which you all have, and all should study) and verify that we have everything that we need from a crew standpoint (stoves, first aid kit, water filters, coffee for adults, etc.) In addition , we will review the assigned roles/responsibilities and divide up the troop gear that each scout is responsible for.
Scouts who are not going to Philmont are also welcome to attend (as it is a good opportunity to learn about how to pack and prepare for a trek) however, we ask that you please be quiet (listening ears) and not disrupt the activities of the Philmont Scouts.
As part of this we have a big-roll of Tyvek (thank you Mr. Jahns!) that we will use as footprints for the Philmont tents. I will bring this (as well as some grommets) and each of you will make your own tent footprint. In addition, I have the T-shirts for Crew-2 (Crew-1 will get theirs when they arrive) and will hand those out as well.
Philmont Scouts- Please make sure you attend at least one of these gatherings!
SCOUTING MATTERS
See below post from NCAC and link to a story about a former scout who acted in a selfless way to protect other people. It was only later in life and when I looked back, did I realize the profound values and skills that Scouting fostered and enabled in me.
Sometimes Scouting lessons are put to the test when it matters most.
This summer Josh took immediate action when a Roman candle firework was thrown into a crowd at a Washington, D.C., movie night. His quick response helped protect families and prevent a potential tragedy.
Josh credited Scouting for helping prepare him for that moment. Stories like this highlight how Scouting develops character, confidence, and a commitment to service.
As a member of the Executive Board of Scouting America National Capital Area Council, I am proud to see the positive impact Scouting continues to have on young people and our communities.
Watch the NBC Washington story: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/fireworks-thrown-into-crowd-at-outdoor-movie-night-in-northeast-dc/4122667/
#ScoutingAmerica #YouthDevelopment #Leadership #PreparedForLife #CommunityImpact
Mario A. Pérez | C.E.O / Scout Executive
SCHEDULE: One Month(ish) Look Ahead
Monday, July 13th – No Troop Meeting
Saturday, July 18th – Philmont Shakedown Hike – Prince William Forest
Monday, July 20th – Troop Meeting – 6:30 PM – Philmont Crew Meeting
Monday, July 20th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (BoR) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, July 27th – Troop Meeting – 6:30 PM – Philmont Crew Meeting
Monday, July 27th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Wednesday, July 29th – Philmont Crew Travel to New Mexico
Saturday, August 1st – Philmont Crew Start the Trek
Monday, August 3rd – No Troop Meeting
Saturday, August 8th – Philmont Crew End/Fly Home
Monday, August 10th – No Troop Meeting
Monday, August 17th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM (PLC) (BoR) – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, August 24th – First Day of School (ACPS) ☹
Monday, August 24th – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday, Aug. 28th – 30th – Scuba Diving and Camping Trip – Rawlins VA, Lake Phoenix
Monday, August 31st – Court of Honor- Family Picnic – 7:00 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, September 7th – No Troop Meeting – Labor Day
