Volume 1 | Issue 5 | Sarah Lindegren
From the Scoutmaster
A SCOUT IS…..FRIENDLY.
It’s recruitment month and that means a lot of fresh, new faces in the Troop 111 group. Our Troop has always been a welcoming place for younger scouts and their families. It’s what makes us a great place for them to land. Our goal this month is to make their experience great when they’re looking to continue their Scouting adventures by joining a Scouts BSA troop.
Not only part of our Scout Law, being friendly is also part of our Oath – our duty to help other people at all times. Make a point to reach out to help a friend or a neighbor in need this month. Invite a friend to Scouts so you can show them what makes Scouts, and Troop 111, different from everyone else.
We’re Moving!
Well, not really. We’re in the process of moving all our communications from a Google group, which excludes our younger scouts, to a more monitored, secure communication app, BAND, that anyone can join.
BAND is used by churches, schools, and other youth organizations to help communicate about events and other goings on without always having to recreate
a text group or new email string. Youths below age 13 get their own special Band Kids for added security.
We encourage EVERYONE, both youth and adult, to download the app. This helps our youth leaders communicate with the group on a regular basis and everyone gets the information they need.
Safety Moment
IT’S ALL ABOUT FOCUS
As the weather cools and we all start heading back to our school day routines, it’s also time for us all to think about what we need to be successful, not just in Scouts, but also in life.
Our days get crazy. With tests, homework, sports, and other demands on our busy schedules, it’s easy to be swept up in the current. When we do that, we let go of control and we can get overwhelmed quickly with the speed life might take us.
My advice? Stop. Take a breath. Keep a calendar. Don’t wait until the last minute to do anything. Honor the goals you’ve set for yourself. Be mentally awake.
Troop 111 Who’s Who?
This month’s spotlight: The Youth!
The month of September brings a lot of change and not just in the leaves! Troop 111 prides itself on being a youth-led Troop with adult mentorship. This way, the youth have the opportunity to get invested in the troop they participate in and practice taking on leadership roles that will help them throughout life.
On September 2, the Troop will hold elections for a new Senior Patrol Leader and Patrols will select new Patrol Leaders. There will also be appointments to all the other youth positions as shown in the above graphic. All these positions are important for the success of the Troop.
Every Scout should consider what position they might hold where they could take a more active role. They can start small – like Patrol Scribe or Den Chief – or they can aim higher – like Senior Patrol Leader! All of these positions make a difference.
Curious about learning what your new role is? Attend Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops, which will be held on 6 September. We’ll talk about each role and what it means. We’ll talk about communication, leadership, and how to be a part of an effective team. You’ll also receive a fancy “trained” patch at the end of it.
Plan Ahead and Prepare…
Last call for advancement!
Our Fall Court of Honor is on the 16 of September. Any achievements you’d like to be recognized for should be completed by
September 9th.
Scouts should also remember to record their campouts and service hours in their handbooks to have them signed by the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster.
September Events
- 6 September: Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops and Annual Planning
- 12-14 September: Campout at Camp Crockett
- 16 September: Fall Court of Honor
Coming Soon…
- 3-5 October: Apple Harvest @ Camp Shenandoah
- 7-9 November: Backpacker to C&O Canal
- 15 November: Merit Badge University @ Blue Ridge Community College
A Final Word…
Please excuse our mess. . .no, seriously. Please do. We’re all messy. Life is messy and we all get busy with things that make us look like our hair is on fire all the time. One of the great things about the Scout Law is that each point in it is some thing we strive for. Do we always achieve it? No. Because we’re messy. But we can always work towards it. We celebrate our achievements . We apologize when we fall short. We give each other, and ourselves, a break. . . a little bit of grace. . . and a friendly face . We embrace the mess and show the world the character of a Scout.