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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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