Hello, Troop 457! Welcome to another episode of ‘The Scoutmaster Minute.’ I’m Mr. Maloney, your Scoutmaster, here to share the latest troop news and a bit of inspiration. Let’s get started!
CONGRAULATIONS
First off, I want to congratulate our new Troop leaders who officially began their terms on January first. We installed them into their offices tonight and presented them with their position patches. Also, a special congratulations to Mr. Roy and Mr. Hrizo for completing their Wilderness First Aid training. All these achievements are crucial in our continuous journey of learning and leadership in Scouting.
Now, let’s talk about safety. Our adult leadership team works hard to avoid cancelling campouts, as we know how important these events are for our Scouts. However, the ‘Do Nothing’ Campout last weekend was cancelled due to safety concerns. The Erie area was expecting significant snowfall, potentially impacting our travel, and we also faced a shortage of adult supervision on site. I want to thank everyone for their understanding and patience regarding this decision. The safety of our Scouts and leaders is always our top priority.
RSVP DEADLINES
Moving on to RSVP deadlines:
We still have available spots for this Sunday’s Aquatics Achievement Day. Please plan on attending even if you did not make the RSVP deadline.
Scout Sunday is a day where we celebrate the founding of the Boy Scouts of America and say thank you to English Lutheran Church for supporting our Troop for over 80 years. This year’s Scout Sunday service and Pancake Breakfast will be on February 4th. Please RSVP by this coming Monday (January 28th) so we know how many Scouts to expect.
The Moraine Trails Council Klondike Derby is coming up on February 10th. The Klondike Derby is an event themed around the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1800s where Scout patrols use a sled equipped with specific gear and pulled by the Scouts, similar to a dog sled team. Scouts compete against other patrols to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of Scouting skills like fire building, first aid, navigation, and more. We currently do not have enough Scouts to register a sled for the Klondike Derby. Please RSVP by next Monday, January 28th, if you plan to attend otherwise we will need to cancel the event.
Links to all the TroopTrack invitation for all these events can be found in the show notes.
REFLECTION
Each week, we share an inspirational quote on our Facebook and Instagram pages. This week, we reflect on a quote by Steve Prefontaine, a legendary American middle and long-distance runner. Prefontaine was known for his aggressive running style and unwavering dedication to give his all in every race. He said, ‘To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.’ This quote isn’t just about sports; it’s about life and it applies to our Scouting experience.
In Scouting, we learn about the importance of doing our best. Whether we’re working on a merit badge, helping in community service, or even setting up our tents, giving our best effort is key. This isn’t just about achieving a goal; it’s about respecting the gifts we’ve been given – our talents, our abilities, and our opportunities.
When we don’t try our hardest, we’re not just letting ourselves down; we’re also overlooking the gifts we’ve been given. Let’s challenge ourselves to always give our best, not just in scouting, but in all aspects of our lives. By doing so, we honor our gifts and the principles of scouting: duty to self, duty to others, and duty to our community.
NEXT WEEK’S ACTIVITIES
- Looking ahead to next week’s activities:
Don’t forget about the Aquatics Achievement Day on Sunday at 1 PM.
Next Tuesday’s meeting will focus on General Advancement. It’s a great opportunity for Scouts to work on advancement before our March 26th Court of Honor.
That’s it for this week’s ‘Scoutmaster Minute.’ Remember, Troop 457, to give your best in all you do, both in and out of Scouting. Until next time, this is Mr. Maloney, signing off. Stay safe, stay committed, and happy Scouting!