Beyond the cancellation of Troop 1's epic weekend in March, I'm sure we've all been negatively affected by this global pandemic by now.
Chin up Scouts. A Scout is cheerful; we will work to reschedule the RAD Zoo, the Merit Badge events, Order of the Arrow Elections, service at FMSC, the Pack 1 PWD & Crossover / Blue & Gold, as will our Pancake Breakfast and Court of Honor. It was announced yesterday that our Metro Lakes (District L) Spring Camporee has been canceled. All of these are disappointments, but nothing more than minor inconveniences in the scheme of things. We will find a way to keep scouting and turn our current obstacles into (safe) opportunities.
Be kind and patient with each other, and with those in your house. Remember, this is a difficult time for everybody full of many disappointments and more unscheduled time than most of us are used to. Let's find some ways to be positive.
Many of our parents are stressed finding new ways to work, or that their work has severely changed, or even been removed. Some people lost lots of money in the stock market over the past couple of weeks. Indeed, some of your families have had vacations put on hold or canceled and are now in "staycation" mode. Distance learning will be different levels of challenging once "school" is back on the schedule. Our health and well-being are the most important right now. There's a lot of reasons to be melancholy. Don't let it overtake you.
Being that all Scouting events are on hold, per the Northern Star Council, I'd like to address what we can do during this crisis and what we, as Scouts, are being called to do.
Some things will move forward - we'll just assume things will be functioning on the previously published schedule. Also, let's do some virtual scout meetings via Google Meet.
Many Point 2020 • Summer Camp
MANY POINT IS MOVING FORWARD AS SCHEDULED.
Week 8 • Sunday, Aug 9 to Saturday, Aug 15
IMPORTANTLY - LAST CALL for Program Sign-Up !
If you want to register you'll need to do it by Sunday!
We'll be staying at Two Harbors campsite in Voyageur Sub-Camp. Different than summers at Tomahawk when we ate in the dining hall, we'll be cooking as patrols, and preparing all of our meals at our campsite.
Scouting From Home • What to do while we're Distancing
https://www.northernstar.org/scouting-from-home
Advancement
It's a great time to be working on Merit Badges. If you need Blue cards signed, etc. We can work that out later. However, I have some guidelines I'd like you to follow when meeting virtually.
• I expect all online conversations to be respectful using the Scout Oath and Law as our guides.
• You should be in a common area in house with a parent home (& have them say a quick "hi" to the counselor). You should not be in a bedroom or bathroom.
• After you join an online meeting, you should have your microphone muted. If you would like to speak, we ask that you use the built in chat messaging to request to unmute. This will assist your counselor in facilitating the session and give you and your fellow scouts (if there are more than one on the session) the best learning experience possible.
Service
Service is what’s scouts do - find a way to help our community. Perhaps it's picking up trash, perhaps its helping at a food shelf. Perhaps you can call around. It's important to be safe. It's also important to be a real force for good.
Earth Day events have been Cancelled - However, DIY Earth Day from a safe distance is a thing and there's plenty of trash on the ground! Getting outdoors and getting some exercise in this stressful time can be so good for you. Consider carrying a bag with you to collect any trash you see, pick it up and keep it out of our sewers and streets. Have your parents post a picture of your trash haul to the Minneapolis Parks Earth Day Facebook Page: @MPLSEArthDay with the hashtag #mplsDIYEarthDay. They'll be will be offering prizes to those that participate, so let them know what you collect - be sure to wear your Class B!
Whatever it is, do what makes sense, but do something - it's good for the mind and the spirit. Keep your distance and wash those hands!!!
Jamboree on the Internet • April 3-5
Join international scouts for a Jamboree on the Internet https://www.jotajoti.info/
We Scouts are resilient, and Scouts all over the world will get together for a special Jamboree on the Internet on the weekend of April 3-5.
Outdoor Films
You can still go on walks and hikes every day. But, for those long days of social isolation, there are a ton of movies and videos to watch and wonder why you ever thought being in the wilderness would be a good idea. My buddy Paul over at Hikingdude.com has a great list of outdoor films to hold us over until we can get back to our own adventures.
https://www.hikingdude.com/blog/1503.php
Virtual PLC & Troop Meeting, April 6 • 6:30pm
We'll give this a try and see how it goes. 6:30pm (unless you all want a new time) we'll use Google Meet - Minneapolis Public Schools has supplied me with the enterprise software so I can conduct classes. This is after school hours so it should not be a problem.
You do not need a google account nor do you need broadband connectivity, as you can simply call in as a voice participant. However, if you're able, we can look at each other and I can bring us through some planning documents in presenter mode. I think Zoom might be better for a troop meeting, but let's go with this for the first one.
More instructions will follow but please know Everybody (including parents) is welcome to attend.
meet.google.com/trs-tvix-crc
or
Call in for audio only: 413-679-2103
You'll need to enter this PIN: 834 554 024#
Upcoming Events
Subscribe to the Troop 1 Calendar
Troop 1 Website • Troop1min.org
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.
BSA Troop 1 Facebook Group
For those of you on Facebook, feel please join our closed group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mnt3001/
Scout Law in the time of COVID Distancing
• 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.
Solitude & Leadership
I have listened to it several times over the years.
I believe it is worth 35 minutes of your time.
https://theamericanscholar.org/solitude-and-leadership/
Scoutmaster Minute • Power of Remaining Positive
If you think you're beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost for sure, you won't.
If you think you're losing, you've lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a person's will,
It's all in your state of mind.
If you think you're outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise.
You have to stay with it,
In order to win the prize.
Life's battles don't always go,
To the one with the better plan.
For more often than not, you will win,
If only you think you can.
Keep washing your hands, keeping your distance, covering your cough, and being a force for good in the world.
