Troop 1396 Scouting in Isolation, Volume 10

Scouts, Scouters, and Families:

I hoped to provide finalized information on summer camp, but we are still working options.  When the Committee determines a solution, we will send a note to everyone.  Please continue to bear with us.  

As mentioned in last week's post, we plan to have a portion of our first in-person meeting dedicated to taking in Blue Cards or other documentation from merit badge counselors -- please, even if you send me a copy or send a copy to our Advancements Chair, print off documentation to bring in.  Lastly, if you think you are ready for a Scoutmaster Conference for advancement, please let me know.

I ask that you continue to pray for the health of those who are affected by this pandemic, and for our community's successful transition to Phase 0 to Phase 1.

This week's Scoutmaster Minute:

This past Monday our Nation observed Memorial Day.  Recognized as a holiday for many, this unofficial beginning of summer is normally marked with many special sales and families taking advantage of the long weekend for traveling or hosting a barbecue.  For others, it is a solemn day and a bitter reminder of comrades whose lives were extinguished all too soon.  Others mourn while also celebrating the purchase of freedom paid for with the lives of our Nation's over-one-million war dead, as they feel this is the best way to show that those sacrifices were not in vain.  

Initially marked as Decoration Day (a day to decorate the graves of the war dead), the first recorded observance happened in 1861 in nearby Warrenton, Virginia.  The first national observance of Decoration Day occurred in 1868, with the labeling of Memorial Day not coming into wide use until after World War II.  Particularly here in Northern Virginia, it is not hard to find a veteran or family member for who this day carries a meaning of loss.  Normally we aide our community in its Memorial Day observance by emplacing many dozens of flags at Quantico National Cemetery.  The threat of COVID-19 changed our plans this year, and for some the absence of this annual ritual comes with a feeling of disappointment.  God willing, next year will be different.  

As you take pause this week to honor our war dead, you may want to also reflect on the lives of those who defend our Nation in a different manner.  Consider health care workers and community volunteers who have contracted COVID-19 and died while rendering aid to others.  All around us, there are people taking risks and making sacrifices for others, particularly in this time that our Nation and the world is focused on finding a cure and mitigating the damage of this global pandemic.  Sometimes service to others comes at great risk and we should acknowledge the contribution of sacrifice.  A Scout is Brave.

Yours in Scouting Service,

Doug Henry

Scoutmaster, Troop 1396

Chartered by St. Matthew's Lutheran Church

doug.henry@troop1396.org

Troop 1396 Scouting in Isolation Volume 9

Scouts, Scouters, and Parents:

 

As many of you have read from Mr. Bortner's Troop Committee Meeting minutes, effective last Thursday, the National Capital Area Council has cancelled all summer camps.  This affects us because we had planned to go to Camp Bowman (part of NCAC's Goshen Scout Reservation) when the Cradle of Liberty Council cancelled the summer program for Ressica Falls.  Our summer-camp Campmasters and other key adult leaders have a meeting tonight to explore options.  Please remain patient as we work through this together.

 

Many of you are working merit badges during the isolation.  Please continue to push requests to start to me or give me a call.  I will grant permission via email and follow-up with an ink signature once we reconvene.  I have had a few questions on Blue Cards for merit badge work.  Attached is a .pdf version of the Blue Card you can use.  If your MB counselor has given you something else, do not worry as we will transcribe to a Blue Card.  When we start to meet back in person, we will dedicate a suitable amount of time just to process Blue Cards.  If you need a MB counselor, please contact ASM Sue Straka at sue.straka@troop1396.org, as she also serves as our MB Coordinator.

Communication is key during this time.  Note that you can reach every registered Scout and leader in the Troop by putting firstname.lastname@troop1396.org.  This email address serves as a distribution list as it is affiliated with whatever email addresses the Scout and parent or adult leader wants to associate with it.  For me and several other adult leaders, it forwards emails to both work and home email addresses.  For Scouts, it has at least one parent's email address associated with it so we are compliant with BSA Youth Protection policy.  Unless you have something that needs to go out to the whole Troop, please do not use the members@troop1396.org address (distribution list) as it goes to 250+ different email addresses associated with our 60+ Scouts, 55+ Scouters and many, many parents.  If you do have email for the whole Troop, put this address in the Blind Courtesy Copy (Bcc) address column in an email so that responses go only to you and not the whole Troop.  If you have any questions please contact me, Committee Chair Tom Bortner at tom.bortner@troop1396.org or ASM John Malich at john.malich@troop1396.org, as he also serves as our Troop Webmaster.

 

This week's Scoutmaster Minute:

Portions of the Commonwealth of Virginia are entering Phase 1 of reopening after social distancing measures due to COVID-19.  Yet, Prince William County and other localities in Northern Virginia remain in Phase 0, as elected officials and medical experts report we have yet to hit our plateau with cases.  Supporting that argument, current statistics show that the top-two Virginia zip codes for COVID-19 positive cases are here within Prince William County.  This is frustrating because we have been in some semblance of social distancing for more than two months.  Like a prisoner seeing his cellmate getting paroled, it is hard not to be envious of our neighbors to the south who are enjoying eased restrictions.  Yet I ask you to not give up hope -- our time will come and soon enough we will emerge from this.  Do not grow complacent -- continue to protect yourself, your family, and your community.  Continue to pray for those who have been affected across the globe, pray for our Nation, and pray for a vaccine.  Do not be despondent -- keep your faith that tomorrow will bring a better day.  A positive outlook is infectious and serves to spread hope to others.  A Scout is Cheerful; a Scout is Reverent.

 

Yours in Scouting,

 

Doug Henry

Scoutmaster, Troop 1396

Chartered by St. Matthew's Lutheran Church

doug.henry@troop1396.org

Troop 1396 Scouting in Isolation Volume 8 (UNCLASSIFIED)

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

 

Scouts, Scouters, and Parents:

 

With the warmth of Spring we see promise and the light at the end of the tunnel of the COVID-19 pandemic.  While sharing optimism, I encourage you to remain diligent with personal hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and maintenance of appropriate social distance until we start into the phased process of what we hope to be a return to normalcy.  Yet, even as we see restrictions ease, I implore you to not be complacent – A Scout is Clean.

 

I reported last week that Cradle of Liberty Council (the governing council of our Summer Camp choice, Camp Ressica Falls) opted to cancel in-person attendance this year.  We are looking to go to our council camp, Goshen Scout Reservation, instead.  Particularly, we seek to go to the sub-camp, Camp Bowman, where we will cook our own meals in camp vice eating in a mess hall facility.  I am told that Camp Bowman has a great first-year Scout program.  Note that our council, the National Capital Area Council, will have a meeting on Friday that may affect the opening day of camps in the council.  We will keep you posted of the status.  Meanwhile, please look for emails from Assistant Scoutmaster Michael Delaune and when asked, please respond with whether you still intend to go to camp and what merit badges you intend to take.

 

Note that this is a great time to recertify your Cyber Chip.  Contact Gavin Kegler if you would like to get that done before we start meeting again.  This leads me into this week’s Scoutmaster Minute:

 

You have heard me say this before, but it is so important that it bears me repeating every six months:  The Internet has the memory of an elephant.  Whatever you put on it, be prepared to see it later.  In government and business sectors, we call it the “Washington Post Rule”:  do not write anything in an email or post on the Internet that you would not like to read on the front page of the Washington Post.  What may resonate with you better is what I call “The Grandma Rule,” that is do not write anything in an email or post online that you would be ashamed if your grandmother was to read or see.  You should think carefully of how you want the rest of the world to know you and post accordingly, or don’t post at all.  Think about this:  no one can take your reputation, it is something that only you can give away.  Note that what you put online is fair game for scholarship panels, college admission boards, potential employers, security clearance investigators, and future friends.  Imagine if you found out that you were denied a scholarship because of what you wrote on a group chat when you were 13 years old.  Imagine not being able to get the job you wanted because you posted an inappropriate picture at age 16.  Remember that portion of your Scout Oath – “…to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”  During this time of social distancing, we are spending more time online, offering more opportunities to make a mistake.  Remain diligent with what you write and what you post.  A Scout is Clean.

 

Yours in Scouting,

 

Doug Henry

Scoutmaster, Troop 1396

Chartered by St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

 

 

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Troop 1396 Scouting in Isolation Volume 7 (UNCLASSIFIED)

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

 

Scouts, Scouters and Parents,

 

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  I look forward to virtually meeting tonight with the Patrol Leader Council (PLC) for Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops.  If you are a member of the PLC and did not get a meeting invite, please let me know.

 

Big news this week is that Camp Ressica Falls, our planned summer camp location, has cancelled in-person attendance this summer.  We are exploring options for different summer camps, particularly ones within the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Given that many camps have already booked full weeks for the early cycles, we may have to opt for a later week than planned.  This will also allow a portion of our adult leaders who are currently affected by Department of Defense travel limitations to attend, as this local travel only ban ends on 30 June.  This Thursday, the Troop Committee will meet to discuss Governor Northam's recent announcement concerning the three-phase plan for reopening Virginia, how that plan affects the Troop calendar, and when we can safely return to meeting in person and conducting an outdoor program. 

 

This week's Scoutmaster Minute:

Today is Cinco de Mayo.  This holiday celebrates the May 5, 1862 Mexican Army victory against a larger French force in the Battle of Puebla.  Four days after the battle, Mexico's then-President Juarez declared the anniversary of the battle as a national holiday in Mexico.  In the United States, California started commemorating the day in 1863.  During the 20^th Century, many major US cities started hosting celebrations of Mexican culture and heritage on Cinco de Mayo.  Currently across America, many families choose to enjoy Mexican cuisine and music at home or in a local restaurant on this day.  As one of many cultural holidays incorporated into our Nation's calendar, it serves to represent the vibrant citizenry who came to the US in search of a better life and the promise of American opportunity.  It is a wonderful thing to be able to share each other's culture and celebrate what each of us contributes to the identity of our Nation.  I encourage you to seek opportunities to learn about those who have seemingly dissimilar backgrounds.  Often, when we get to know one another we find that our values and ambitions are quite the same.  Furthermore, our willingness to embrace and celebrate how we are different serves to enrich our lives.

A Scout is Friendly.

 

Yours in Scouting Service,

 

Doug Henry

Scoutmaster, Troop 1396

 

 

 

 

 

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