TROOP MEETING • Monday, 6:30-8:00pm • MUMC
The in-person transition has begun. We will meet in person for the first time since March. While there is still virus transmission to consider, we are working to be responsible and utilize an abundance of caution while finding ways to be together. Our meetings will be outside, and the Scouts will be distanced. Scouts should be in uniform and must wear a mask.
There will be effectively two meetings happening at the same time. All Scouts working on Scout Rank and Tenderfoot Rank will be meeting on the 50th side of the church. Other Scouts will continue working on Cooking MB on the lawn in front of the sheds. There are spaced out white circles to help with distancing. Remember to Plan 3 days of Meals (use the workbook).
I hope these start showing up on menus when we start camping again!
These pods should be 25 or less based on MDH guidelines. That should not be a problem. We will have hand sanitizer available and obviously if anybody is experiencing any COVID- 19 symptoms they should not attend.
HIKING
Saturday 9-11:30-12:00. 5 miles. Meet at MUMC
Each Saturday in August. 5 miles. Wear your Class B. Masks required.
• Class A or B, (neckerchiefs are awesome for hiking)• Shorts or pants (check weather),• Water,• Snack (if you need one),• Daypack• Hat & Sunglasses• Raingear• Bring a 5 mile route starting from MUMC (if you’re working on Hiking MB),• Appropriate footwear
SERVICE
Thomas Edstrom's Eagle Project
Monday, August 17, 9am-12. Wear your Class B. Masks will be required. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle and gloves for weeding.
Sign-up Here: https://forms.gle/kJez2jXGxxPidZwG8
Help rejuvenate the courtyard garden at Richfield STEM elementary. We will be planting some fresh plants, hanging some bird feeders, and weeding the garden. We will be there from 9am to noon on Monday, August 17th, with a backup/extra day planned for the 19th at the same time if we need to cancel the 17th or we need additional time to finish.
The address for Richfield's S.T.E.M. School is: 7020 12th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55423
Ongoing service opportunities:
Coldwater Spring - Tuesday Evenings and Thursday Mornings in August for Coldwater Creek crew that is managed by Mississippi Park Connection. The crew is limited to 15 participants, masks are required. Most of the work has been invasive species removal throughout the park. https://parkconnection.org/
MUMC food shelf:
4th Saturdays 7-11
Scout accounts:
All account balances are up-to-date and viewable via Scoutbook.
Right now we are accepting checks or cash, as we are continuing to look to transition into a new Treasurer. Sorry if this is causing any inconvenience. Once we have a new Treasurer in place we should again be able to accept electronic payments via Zelle, Paypal, etc.
Scout accounts should be kept in a positive balance territory, as the troop cannot extend credit for extended periods. If your account in the red, please make arrangements to bring in back. If you have questions, please email Ruth Wikoff-Jones.
Right now we don't have a lot of expenses because camping has been suspended - the committee will be considering our participation in the council-wide fall camporee.
Philmont Crew has deposits due. $482.50/person should be deposited into Scout Accounts due 9/15/2020
FALL FUNDRAISERS
This fall we will have wreath and popcorn fundraisers. A portion of the profits from these fundraisers can be used by scouts to bolster their scout accounts and effectively pay for all of the scouting activities (perhaps including annual BSA dues which have increased to $180 for the next calendar year - the committee is still deliberating on this).
Scouting costs about $1000/yr without participation in a national high adventure base or any extra uniform costs. I've used this spreadsheet to estimate participation costs. If a Scout works hard to sell a bunch of wreaths and popcorn, they can pay their own way.
Join the committee!
Adults of Troop 1 please get involved and be heard. Think of the committee as the business end of the troop while the Scoutmaster Corps is the program side. Both are important to make Troop 1 work. The next meeting is Thursday August 27. If you're interested please email Quentin Randolph, committee chair.Subscribe to the Troop 1 Google Calendar
Troop 1 has a website that can answer many of your questions.
Check the calendar, register for camps, read the SM dispatch, look at pst photo galleries, who are in leadership positions, find merit badge counselors, etc. Please take a look and click around. What do you like, what would you change? What would you like to see?
We're looking for a webmaster. This is a scout PoR, but works great when their adult also knows how to click around and some basic web skills. We use google template so it's pretty easy.
• Trustworthy. It’s obvious that daily life will require new levels of responsibility and trust. Please don’t add more stress by needing to be micromanaged.
• Be Loyal to those in our community who need our help. Observe safety rules, even though you want to hang out with friends.
• Helpful. There are so many ways you can be helpful, I won't insult you listing any.
• Friendly. You can still be a friend without being in physical proximity. Find time to talk to your friends. Video chatting can be a bonus but should not prohibit contact. Check-in on your friends. Ask, “how are you doing, really? What are your worries? How are you coping?”
•Being Courteous in your cooped up at home, will go an extra-long way during this time. Everybody is stressed. If you're going to pop, step away find some space. If you can add a little charm and politeness to your routine, it'll be felt in waves of positivity.
•Kind. Again, everybody is very stressed right now, and it's likely only to get worse. Please have some grace. Please be gentle, empathetic, understanding and patient. None of us have done this before.
•Be Obedient to the rules put in place, even when it is a huge bore. They're doing this for all of our safety. Do your part.
•Find ways to be Cheerful. Even if your events and activities are on hold. Maybe there's a new merit badge you could work on, or some other opportunity this new time will afford. If you’re a senior in HS and your missing your peer friends, and social world, hopefully we’ll get to have a grad ceremony. I never went to Prom but I’m sure you’ll get over it being canceled.
•Thrifty. Try not to do too much internet shopping. We don't want to endanger the delivery workers more than needed. Also, be mindful of how you're utilizing your time which is your most abundant resource now.
•It is very important you are Brave in this scary time. Your Bravery will mean a lot to those younger than you, and to all of those around you. Fear is an overwhelming and devastating emotion for many right now. I heard polar explorer Will Steiger say that in times of extreme isolation fear can overtake you and create it's own safety concerns. He recommends keeping a rhythm to your day. If you're not on some sort of schedule, I recommend it. It will help the mental well-being.
•Clean. This is actually a safety concern now. Wash your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, regularly. While it is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, studies suggest that it may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days so help cleanse the house, regularly. Wipe down your phone, doorknobs, remote controls, and light switches regularly. Change and wash your clothes. Take a shower.
•Practicing intentional Reverence will help the mind in this uncertain time. Even in my house of five, I’ve found more time to myself for reflection and meditation.
Scoutmaster's Minute:
Allegory of the Long Spoons
A Scout is Loyal. A Scout is Helpful. A Scout is Kind.
As B-P famously said, "The real way to gain happiness is to give it to others."
