Troop 131,
Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday and helped put out the door hangers for Scouting for Food—many hands make light work on a beautiful morning!
A big thank-you to the Mustachios patrol for turning out for Jack Norris’ Eagle project today, and congratulations to Jack on completing it!
Big week ahead: Monday, November 9 is the deadline for wreath sales—this is so important for troop fundraising, so please get those orders in. We also welcome Pack 135 to our meeting on Monday, and there is a Scout-planned cook-off (yes, food is involved). The Mustachios Patrol will be the taste testers!
Please also sign up for next Saturday’s Scouting for Food pickup—it is much easier than drop-off, since we can stage from the car!
Also, we have elections coming up in just a few weeks, if you intend to run for SPL, please let me know!
TROOP MEETING – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
We will have a troop meeting at 7:30 PM this Monday (tomorrow), November 9, at Immanuel Church on the Hill. Our SPL, Teddy, is planning a cook-off, so there will be no patrol time and no time for games. May the best patrol win!
Mustachios patrol, we need you to come tomorrow, first to help set up the stoves for the cook-off and second to be our taste testers.
Everyone, please be mindful of the time constraints of the meeting and leave time for cleanup. As always, Scouts should arrive in their Class A uniform.
WREATH SALES – DEADLINE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
This Monday (tomorrow) is the deadline for wreath sales. This fundraiser directly supports troop adventures, so please make one last push, get your orders and payments in, and help us finish strong. Thank you for all your hard work!
ARROW OF LIGHT VISITORS – STARTING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Beginning Monday, November 9, we will start hosting visitors from Arrow of Light dens, including Pack 135. It is important that all Scouts come to these meetings and engage with our future Scouts—introduce yourself, bring them into your patrol activities, and show them what makes Troop 131 great. Not that long ago, you were the one visiting!
CAMP SNYDER – FUTURE OF CAMPING & OUTDOOR PROGRAMS SURVEY (DUE NOVEMBER 11)
Please take about five minutes to complete the survey below on the future of camping and outdoor programs in our Council, including Camp William B. Snyder. I sit on the NCAC board and am happy to answer any questions you may have, so please do not hesitate to ask. Your feedback matters—the survey is due by Wednesday, November 11. See the note below from NCAC’s VP of Outdoor Adventures, Patrick Rooney.
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Dear Scouting Friends,
Camping and outdoor adventure have always been at the heart of the Scouting experience. As our Council looks to the future, we are evaluating opportunities to expand and strengthen camping, training, and outdoor programs to better serve Scouts, families, units, and volunteers throughout the National Capital Region.
Our goal is to ensure that future investments in outdoor facilities and programs align with the needs of our growing Scouting community. We want to understand what experiences are most valuable, what amenities and facilities are needed, what traditions should be preserved, and where new opportunities can enhance the delivery of Scouting across our entire council.
As part of this effort, the council is also evaluating a range of options regarding our current properties and facilities, including Camp William B. Snyder. No decisions have been made, and we remain in the discovery and evaluation phase. Any actions considered will be guided by one central question: how can we best expand and improve outdoor experiences for Scouts today and for generations to come?
Your feedback is critical in helping shape that future. The insights we receive will inform decisions about camping programs, outdoor adventures, training opportunities, facility investments, and the overall direction of our outdoor program strategy.
This survey should take approximately five minutes to complete. To ensure your feedback is included, please complete the survey by November 11.
Survey: Future Camping & Outdoor Programs Survey
The future of Scouting depends on our ability to provide exceptional outdoor experiences that inspire adventure, develop leadership, and create lifelong memories. We encourage you to share your perspective as we work together to strengthen and expand camping and outdoor opportunities for Scouts across the National Capital Area Council.
Thank you for your participation and for your commitment to the future of Scouting.
Yours in Scouting,
Patrick Rooney
NCAC VP of Outdoor Adventures
SCOUTING FOR FOOD – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 & FALL SERVICE EVENTS
Thank you to everyone who helped with our first wave of Scouting for Food! Please sign up for the pickup on Saturday, November 14—it is much easier than drop-off, since we can stage from the car. Scouts, remember to log your service hours and get a sign-off. See the note below from our Service Coordinator, Mrs. Vivian Ramirez, which also covers our Turkey Trot and Scottish Walk volunteer opportunities, and sign up for Scouting for Food here.
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From the Service Chair:
Thank you to our amazing Scouts who came out to support our first wave of Scouting for Food yesterday! A lot of running, hanging door tags, and sharing door tags all on a beautiful morning.
Our next SFF effort is this coming Saturday – but we are exploring different ways to collect these donations for Alive. We will split up the volunteers:
· We will need a team of one adult and 2 Scouts at the Church to support drive-thru donation drop offs. This is a new idea we brainstormed this past Saturday morning.
· Anyone who can spare time this Saturday morning between 10 and 12 – we sure can use your help to drive with Scouts through our coverage area (Seminary Hill neighborhood bound by Janney’s, King, Duke, and Quaker). Below is our coverage area:
· If you live in our SFF boundary area, please share out the form for 11/14 non-perishable food donations with your neighbors so we can gauge pick-ups and drop-offs.
And we have 2 more events to close out our Service season this fall:
· If you are available to help during Thanksgiving, the Turkey Trot can use your support! This 5-mile race does not happen by magic – a whole team of volunteers ahead of the actual race makes it possible. Signups are available here – with highest needs for Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday afternoon, and Thursday morning before the race. Signups available here.
· Scottish Walk is our City of Alexandria’s kick off for the the holiday season! Did you know that Scoutmaster Ramirez has a Scottish side in his family? Every year, we walk this parade with the MacNeil family, and crowds line the streets to watch this boisterous parade usher in the holiday spirit. If you would like to walk with us, please sign up using this Sign-up Genius link. (BTW: our MacNeil family stakes the claim on the best Santa in the parade!)
Thank you, always, for your service to your community!
SCOUT DAY – NAVAL ACADEMY
Our next camping trip is Naval Academy Scout Day. See information below from Mr. Chris Grocki concerning a return trip to the Naval Academy!
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All,
This year we’re heading back to the Naval Academy for camping and football. This was a great event two years ago and we have a large contingent of scouts who weren’t part of the troop then. Camping is at an Elk’s Lodge facility near Annapolis, and the event includes tickets to the game and a tour of the USNA campus from midshipmen who were scouts. Last time we even got to talk with the Superintendent (3-star) outside her house.
The game will be against Memphis and there are some details about the camping below. Sign-up link is at the bottom of this email.
Friday Nov 20, Scheduled Activities include:
* 3:00 pm – Unit Arrivals & Set Up Camp
* 12:00 am – Lights out
Scout Day Saturday Nov 21, Scheduled Activities include: (Tailgate Lunch Time is tentative & depends upon Kickoff time)
* 6:00 am – Continental Breakfast
* TBD – Tours of USNA by Midshipman (NESA) & USNA Scout Patch – (Reservations through USNA-check Navy website for further information)
* TBD – Lunch /Tailgate Lunch @ NAVYFEST – Southside of Stadium – along Taylor Ave
* TBD – USNA College Football Game: Midshipmen vs. Memphis Tigers.
* 6:00 pm – After Football Game – Return to Camp for Dinner
* 11:30 pm − Lights Out
Sunday Nov 22, Activities:
* 6:30 am – Hot Breakfast
* 8:30 am – Independent Interfaith Service
* 9:30 am – Clean Campsite/Depart from Camp
https://forms.gle/wcuvoLhpkUHFcF8h8
Thanks,
Chris Grocki
Outings Coordinator
Boy Scout Troop 131
TROOP ELECTIONS – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30
It is hard to believe it has almost been six months, but elections are coming up at the troop meeting on Monday, November 30. Let me start by sending a big thank you to our current SPL, Teddy Texeira-Moffat. Serving as SPL is a tough job, and I would like all of you to thank him for his efforts and service.
If you intend to run for SPL, please let me know! The troop is Scout led, not adult led, so this is your time to select the leaders. Please attend and take this seriously!
· We will start the meeting by asking the SPL candidate(s) to give a short speech on why they should be elected and what they want to accomplish during this term.
· All scouts in the troop are then free to ask them questions concerning this. Only one question per scout – so make it count!
· We will then vote for SPL!
· Following the vote, any scout who would like to have an appointed leadership position (scribe, quartermaster, troop guide, etc) to also stand up and indicate what specific position they would like and to speak as to why the new SPL should select them.
· We will then break into patrols and elect Patrol Leaders.
· Patrol Leaders will then appoint their APL.
· The new SPL will then appoint the ASPL(s) and other leadership positions.
· There are plenty of other leadership positions available, see list below of the roles that we commonly fill. For the older scouts, I would like to see at least two (2) Troop Guides, so please consider that position. The younger patrols will benefit from your experience and wisdom! If we don’t have enough then I will appoint them in consultation with the new SPL.
o The patrols elect the Patrol Leader. The Patrol Leader appoints the Assistant Patrol Leader.
o The troop elects the Sr. Patrol Leader. The Sr. Patrol Leader appoints the Assistant Sr. Patrol Leader(s) and the other leadership positions:
§ Assistant Sr. Patrol Leader:
§ Quartermaster:
§ Bugler:
§ Troop Guides:
§ Chaplain’s Aide:
§ Order of the Arrow Rep:
MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY AT CUA – DECEMBER 12–13 (REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 30)
See the note below from our Advancement Chair, Mrs. Kathryn Farmer, about Merit Badge University at The Catholic University of America. This is a great chance to make real advancement progress over a winter weekend—just remember that registration closes Monday, November 30, at 11:59 PM ET.
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An NCAC merit badge opportunity in December has opened registration:
Washington, D.C. District – Merit Badge University at CUA
December 12 – December 13 | The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
The Washington, D.C. District is excited to announce that CUA Merit Badge University is BACK this winter! Scouts are invited to join Merit Badge Counselors and volunteers for two days of advancement and learning at The Catholic University of America.
Dates: Saturday, December 12, & Sunday, December 13, 2026
Registration Closes: Monday, November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
YiS,
Kathryn Farmer
Advancement Chair, Troop 131
NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING (NYLT) – CAMP SNYDER, JANUARY 15–18 & 30–31
See the note below from Assistant Scoutmaster Mr. Eric Reading. NYLT is one of the best leadership experiences Scouting offers, and I strongly encourage every eligible Scout—age 13 or older and First Class or above—to consider attending. In the past we have had scouts attend NYLT and they loved it! Please consider attending!
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With the Mustachio patrol moving on this spring, we are in the midst of a change of leadership in the troop. Developing great leaders is one of the major aims of scouting, and Scouting America offers an outstanding and fun leadership training program to help scouts be better leaders in their troop, sports, school, and career. NYLT is being offered at Camp Snyder twice this winter, and at least one scout from Troop 131 is registered for the session Jan 15-18 and 30-31. The program is for scouts age 13+ who have reached first class, or venture crew members. You can see more information and register at
https://scoutingevent.com/082-121369
2027 SUMMER CAMP – CAMP MARRIOTT, WEEK 1
Thank you to everyone who responded to the summer camp survey. Based on the feedback, Troop 131 will attend Week 1 at Camp Marriott for 2027 Summer Camp. The calendar currently lists camp from Sunday, June 27 through Saturday, July 3, 2027. Please save the dates; registration and program details will follow.
SCHEDULE: ONE MONTH(ISH) LOOK AHEAD
Monday, November 9 – Troop Meeting (Scout Cook-Off) and Arrow of Light Visit (Pack 135) – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, November 9 – Wreath Sales Deadline
Wednesday, November 11 – Camp Snyder Future Camping & Outdoor Programs Survey Due
Saturday, November 14 – Scouting for Food Pickup and Drive-Thru Drop-Off – 10:00 AM to Noon – Alexandria Neighborhoods and Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, November 16 – PLC – 6:45 PM; Troop Meeting and Boards of Review – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Friday, November 20–Sunday, November 22 – Naval Academy Scout Day – Annapolis, MD
Monday, November 23 – No Troop Meeting – Thanksgiving Week
Tuesday, November 24–Thursday, November 26 – Turkey Trot Volunteer Shifts – Alexandria
Monday, November 30 – Troop Meeting and Troop Elections – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
Monday, November 30 – Merit Badge University Registration Closes – 11:59 PM ET
Saturday, December 5 – Scottish Walk – Old Town Alexandria
Monday, December 7 – Troop Meeting – 7:30 PM – Immanuel Church on the Hill
UPCOMING SERVICE & TROOP DATES
Saturday, December 12 – Day Hike – Appalachian Trail: Linden to Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Saturday, December 12–Sunday, December 13 – Merit Badge University – The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
Friday, January 15–Monday, January 18 and Saturday, January 30–Sunday, January 31, 2027 – NYLT – Camp Snyder
Sunday, June 27–Saturday, July 3, 2027 – Summer Camp, Week 1 – Camp Marriott
