Article: What counts as a camping night?

Excellent article on what nights count, and what nights DON'T count, towards various camping requirements.

Please note that, at some of our events where there are cabins (e.g. Treehouse, Blackburn Cabin) there is still an option TO camp outside if you need it for a requirement.

Scouting Magazine: No glamping allowed

Sinoquipe Summer Camp 2018

Troop 149 will be returning to Camp Sinoquipe! The dates are July 8-14. Sinoquipe is located about 115 miles from Washington DC and is northeast of Breezewood in Pennsylvania.

New scouts will participate in the new scout program. Returning scouts will participate in the merit badge program. If Sinoquipe continues their process from last year, merit badge signups will occur prior to camp. Once the merit badge schedule is ready, I will forward it to those attending summer camp and ask that they send me their selections. 

The cost for each camper is $400 for the week. Payment in full is due to me by March 5th. 

I need three things from you to reserve a spot for your scout or you –

1) $400 payment to Boy Scout Troop 149 via PayPal,

2) completed payment form, and

3) a BSA permission slip. 

You may mail them to me or drop them off at the address on the payment form. I will try to have a folder on the back counter of the meeting room each meeting date in February and March 5th -- you may drop off forms in there.

Please use the payment form even though payment is done via PayPal -- the information on this form tells me the best email address (or addresses) to use to reach you. Feel free to enter in multiple addresses, especially if you want both parents in the loop!  When you submit your payment, please also submit the Troop 149 Permission Slip shown below.  

Please also sign up for camp using the link at the bottom of this page. Special note for adults.  Right now the sign up is requesting only adults that can attend camp for the week or some number of days during the week. Adult participation is crucial as we have a lot of scouts that attend summer camp so please consider attending. Additionally, we will need extra drivers to get us to and from camp.  There will be a separate call for drivers as we near our departure date. 

At a later date, I will also need to collect a BSA medical form for each scout and adult that attends camp. See the link below. You will need to have Parts A, B, and C completed.  I am providing this link now in case you have any doctor’s appointments on the horizon, you can take these forms with you to get them completed (click the “are you going to camp” link for the correct form that includes part C). You complete and sign Parts A and B. A health care provider must complete and sign Part C.  

When you submit your medical forms you must include a copy of both sides of your health insurance card

If you have any questions, please email David Pearson at davoblaise@gmail.com.

BSA Medical Form
Permission Form 

Payment Form
PayPal Link 

Sign Up Here!
See Who Else is Coming Here!

Family Life Merit Badge

Are you a Life Scout and want to get your Family Life merit badge? Ms. Atkins and Ms. McDonald will be starting a new class the week of March 14th. This merit badge requires, among other requirements, Scouts to prepare a list of at least five regular chores the scout does and for the scout to do these chores and keep track for 90 days. It also requires two projects, one with one’s family and one on the Scout’s own. This badge is an Eagle requirement and does take some time. Accordingly, please sign up right away; the class is limited to 8 Scouts. You must be over 13 and 8th grade (or older). Preference will be given to those Scouts that reached out to Ms. McDonald or Ms. Atkins prior to this notice and to those who are most senior (age/rank). When you register, please let us know what day of the week/night is the best night for you to meet.

Please sign up at this link

Sinoquipe Summer Camp July 10-16, 2016

This summer, Troop 149 will be returning to Camp Sinoquipe. The dates of summer camp are July 10-16. Sinoquipe is located about 115 miles from Washington DC and is northeast of Breezewood in Pennsylvania.

New scouts will participate in the new scout program. Returning scouts will participate in the merit badge program. If Sinoquipe continues their process from last year, merit badge signups will occur prior to camp by email. Once the merit badge schedule is ready, I will forward it to those attending summer camp and ask that they send me their selections. 

The cost for each camper is $385 for the week. The cost for adults who wish to accompany the troop is $115. Payment in full is due to me by March 5th. 

I need three things from you to reserve a spot for your scout or you -- 

1) a check for $385 ($115 for adults) made payable to Boy Scout Troop 149 

2) completed payment form (see link below)

3) a permission slip (in the 'Key Links' on the right side of the troop blog). 

You may mail them to me or drop them off at the address on the payment form. I will try to have a folder on the back counter of the meeting room each meeting date in February -- you may drop off all three items in there. PLEASE NOTE: I will not accept scanned and emailed forms this year. Please deliver/mail paper copies to me.

Checks should be made payable to Boy Scout Troop 149. Please use the document below when making your payment -- the information on this form tells me the best email address to use to reach you. When you submit your payment, please also submit the Troop 149 Permission Slip shown below.  

Please also sign up for camp using the link at the bottom of this page. Special note for adults.  Right now the sign up is requesting only adults that can attend camp for the week or some number of days during the week. Adult participation is crucial as we have a lot of scouts that attend summer camp so please consider attending. Additionally, we will need extra drivers to get us to and from camp.  There will be a separate call for drivers as we near our departure date. 

At a later date, I will also need to collect a BSA medical form for each scout and adult that attends camp. See the link below. You will need to have Parts A, B, and C completed. PART D IS NOT REQUIRED.  I am providing this link now in case you have any doctor’s appointments on the horizon, you can take these forms with you to get them completed. You complete and sign Parts A and B. A health care provider must complete and sign Part C.  

When you submit your medical forms you must include a copy of both sides of your health insurance card. AGAIN: I will not accept scanned and emailed copies of forms. You must deliver paper copies to me.

If you have any questions, you may email me at jwatada AT hotmail.com or you can call me at 703-525-7433.

BSA Medical Form

Payment Form

Sign Up Here

See Who Else is Coming

BOR Nov 2nd - Sign Up

BOR Nov 2nd - Sign Up

 

The next Troop 149 Board of Review (BOR) will be held on November 2nd from 6-7:30 PM at CUMC. BORs are brief meetings in which a scout discusses his rank advancement with three adults from the troop.  Scoutmaster conferences must be completed before the BORs, which are the last step for a scout to advance in rank.

Below are two sign up links:
1. one for scouts hoping to advance in their rank to request a BOR, and
2. the other for parent volunteers whom we need to sit on the panels.

We encourage parents to volunteer to sit on the panels. Experienced Chairpersons (Mary and Rich) will lead each panel such that no prior experience is required for the other panelists.  This is a good way to meet more of the Troop and better understand the different ranks. Troop 149's website has further information and a guide for board of reviews for adults new to these panels. Please volunteer!

For more info on the BOR process, see the info page below.

Best wishes, Katie M. (Tim E's Mom) 


More info on the BOR process

Scout BOR Signup

Parent Volunteer BOR Signup

BOR Sept 28th

BOR Sept 28th - Sign Up

 

The next Troop 149 Board of Review (BOR) will be held on Sept 28th from 6-7:30 PM at CUMC. BORs are brief meetings in which a scout discusses his rank advancement with three adults from the troop.  Scoutmaster conferences must be completed before the BORs, which are the last step for a scout to advance in rank.

Below are two sign up links:
1. one for scouts hoping to advance in their rank to request a BOR, and
2. the other for parent volunteers whom we need to sit on the panels.

We encourage parents to volunteer to sit on the panels. Experienced Chairpersons (Mary and Rich) will lead each panel such that no prior experience is required for the other panelists.  This is a good way to meet more of the Troop and better understand the different ranks. Troop 149's website has further information and a guide for board of reviews for adults new to these panels. Please volunteer!

For more info on the BOR process, see the info page below.

Best wishes, Katie M. (Tim E's Mom) 

More info on the BOR process

Scout BOR Signup

Parent Volunteer BOR Signup

Court of Honor on Nov 17th. Please Sign up for Food and Drink!

Our next Court of Honor will be held on November 17th at 7pm. Come out and celebrate your Scouts achievements!  

We are looking for volunteers to bring goodies and drinks for our hungry Scouts. Please sign up at:   

http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=ONYA1757

regards

Alison C. 

BOR Nov 10th - Sign Up

The next Troop 149 Board of Review (BOR) will be held on November 10th from 6-7:30 PM at CUMC. BORs are brief meetings in which a scout discusses his rank advancement with three adults from the troop.  Scoutmaster conferences must be completed before the BORs, which are the last step for a scout to advance in rank.

Below are two sign up links:
1. one for scouts hoping to advance in their rank to request a BOR, and
2. the other for parent volunteers whom we need to sit on the panels.

We encourage parents to volunteer to sit on the panels. Experienced Chairpersons (Mary and Rich) will lead each panel such that no prior experience is required for the other panelists.  This is a good way to meet more of the Troop and better understand the different ranks. Troop 149's website has further information and a guide for board of reviews for adults new to these panels. Please volunteer!

For more info on the BOR process, see the info page below.

Best wishes, Katie M. (Tim E's Mom) 

More info on the BOR process

Scout BOR Signup

Parent Volunteer BOR Signup

Merit Badge Counselors Still Needed

Parents,

Working with Chain Bridge District, we have updated the Merit Badge Forms and
process. We would like to encourage you to become a Merit Badge Counselor –
it is great fun and a wonderful way to share your talents, interests and passions with
Scouts (and to get to know them better). Perhaps you want to do Whitewater merit
badge and do it in conjunction with the spring camp out, or perhaps  you  do
woodcarving or have a background in nuclear science or love to garden – there is
a badge for you!

Please see the attached information for the information you need to become a merit
badge counselor. Last year we lost a number of our very active merit badge counselors
(due to moves, graduation of their  sons, etc.), so please help us fill the void. Below
is a list of the Badges; we have at least one counselor for most of the Eagle (except
for Sustainability and First Aid), but please consider adding your name – we need the
flexibility, particularly on Eagle required badges. (see list below). For the other merit
badges, some of the counselors have boys that are older so don’t let that deter you.

Many thanks,
Laura

Merit Badge Counselor Information is Here

PS, if you are currently a merit badge counselor, could you please send me an email
confirming the badges and that you are willing to continue this year? Thanks.

EAGLE:

Sustainability
Back Packing
Camping
Citizenship in the Community
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Communications
Cooking
Cycling
Emergency Preparedness
Environmental Science
Family Life
First Aid
#Hiking
#swimming
Personal Management
Personal Fitness

OTHER BADGES        If * means at least one counselor 

*American Business
American Culture
American Heritage
American Labor
Animal Science
Archaeology
*Archery
Architecture
*Art
Astronomy
Athletics
Automotive Maintenance
Aviation
Basketry
Bird Study
Canoeing
Carpentry
Chemistry
Cinematography
Climbing
*Coin Collecting
Collections
Composite Materials
*Computers
Crime Prevention
Dentistry
Disabilities Awareness
*Dog Care
Drafting
Electricity
Electronics
Energy
*Engineering
Entrepreneurship
Farm Mechanics
Fingerprinting
Fire Safety
Fish and Wildlife Management
Fishing
Fly-Fishing
Forestry
Gardening
*Genealogy
*Golf
Graphic Arts
Home Repair
Horsemanship
Indian Lore
*Insect Study
*Journalism
Landscape Architecture
*Law
Leatherwork
Mammal Study
Medicine
Metal Work
Model Design and Building
Motor Boating
*Moviemaking
Music
*Nature
Nuclear Science
Oceanography
Orienteering
Painting
Pathfinding
Pets
*Photograpy
Pioneering
Plant Science
Plumbing
Pottery
Public Health
*Public Speaking
Pulp and Pape
Radio
Railroading
*Reading
Reptile and Amphibian Study
*Rifle Shooting
*Robotics
Rowing
Safety
Salesmanship
*Scholarship
Scuba
Scouting Heritage
Sculpture
Shotgun shooting
Skating
*Small Boat Sailing
Signaling
*snow sports
Soil and Water Conservation
Space Exploration
*sports
*stamp collecting
Surveying
*Textile
Theater
Tracking
Traffic Safety
Truck Transportation
Veterinary Medicine
Water sports
*Weather
Whitewater
*Wilderness Survival
Wood Carving
woodwork

BOR - Sept 29th !

The next Troop 149 Board of Review (BOR) will be held on September 29 from 6-7:30 PM at CUMC. BORs are brief meetings in which a scout discusses his rank advancement with three adults from the troop.  Scoutmaster conferences must be completed before the BORs, which are the last step for a scout to advance in rank.

Below are two sign up links:
1.  one for scouts hoping to advance in their rank to request a BOR, and
2. the other for parent volunteers whom we need to sit on the panels.

We encourage parents to volunteer to sit on the panels. Experienced Chairpersons (Mary and Rich) will lead each panel such that no prior experience is required for the other panelists.  This is a good way to meet more of the Troop and better understand the different ranks. Troop 149's website has further information and a guide for board of reviews for adults new to these panels. Please volunteer!

For more info on the BOR process, see the info page below.

Best wishes, Katie M. (Tim E's Mom) 

More info on the BOR process

Scout BOR Signup

Parent Volunteer BOR Signup

Merit Badge / Training Opportunities

HI All,

Please see the following upcoming training and merit badge opportunities. Some of these fill up fast so please move on them quickly if you are interested. 

1.  Department of Energy Invites Scouts for Merit Badge Opportunity (h/t Pete Collat, District STEM Coord.)

The United States Department of Energy invites Scouts to its Energy and Nuclear Science merit badge day at the DOE Cafeteria,

1000 Independence Avenue, SW (across from the Smithsonian "castle") on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Registration will open on Oct. 6 at 11 a.m.

The two merit badge classes being offered will also meet part of the Science, Technology, and Engineering and Math (STEM) requirements for the Boy Scouts Supernova award.

For details, contact Tom Doggett at Tom.Doggett-at-eia.gov

2. Registration is open for Merit Badges Afloat on October 4-5 Registration "flyer" posted at the Chain Bridge District website:

www.ncacbsa.org/events/event_details.asp?id=480381&group=114095

3.    Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) training Sept. 12 (evening) + Sept. 20-21 (overnight).  See article in July Chainemail or contact johnson.glenh-at-gmail.com

4.   Training Extravaganza for most position-specific training on Oct. 25.  See article in last month's Chainemail or contact Glen Johnson at johnson.glenh-at-gmail.com

Thanks,

Tom

Personal Fitness Merit Badge : Sunday Sept 7

Personal Fitness Merit Badge - Fall 2014

Target Audience: First Class and above scouts who are also 8th grade or higher who need the Personal Fitness Merit Badge.

Where: Washington and Lee High School track

When: First meeting will be 5:30pm Sept 7 (Sunday), where we will conduct a baseline Fitness Test.

Meeting Times: TBD (We will do a Physical Fitness test every two weeks starting Sept 28 and ending on Dec 21)

Organizers: Mrs. Ludes (Theo Nichol’s mom) and Mr. LeHardy (Ward and Will’s dad) are teaming together to be Merit Badge Counselors for this.

Details for first meeting: Meet at W&L track Sun, Sept 7 at 5:30pm to kick off…go over requirements and schedule, and do initial baseline tests. You will then go make a 12-week Personal Fitness plan after that, which will begin on September 28.

Sign-Up Instructions: First Name and Last Initial only. No last names please.

Sign Up Here

See Who Else is Going Here

Log Your Daily Accomplishments Here

See Your Daily Accomplishments Here

Board of Review Process Reminder

On Saturday, April 5, 2014 2:30 PM, Troop 149 <troop149.arlva@gmail.com> wrote:

Comments or questions to Mary Pekot Troop Advancement Chair.  DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE: mgp-rcs@msn.com

As reminder to all Scouts and parents in Troop 149 the Board of Review Process is the same as it has always been and as documented on our the Troop website: 

https://sites.google.com/site/troop149test/directory/boards-of-review

Please review this and for those new to the Troop please get acquainted with it.  

Some key items but please go tot he page above and review all:

1. A Scout must complete a Scoutmaster Conference for the rank he is advancing to before he can sign up for a Board of Review
2. A Scout, not his parent, must sign up for a BOR.  Scouts - this is your responsibility
3. In the sign up, a Scout must enter the following:
1. First name, last initial
2. Rank advancing to
3. Date of Scoutmaster Conference.  Be sure to get the scoutmaster's signature in your scout book at your conference; we won't conduct the BOR without it. 

For scouts:

• No BOR is needed for the very first rank ("Scout" rank);  the BOR requirement starts when you earn Tenderfoot
• Dress requirement for the BOR is your  Class A Scout uniform shirt AND scout pants or shorts.
• Bring your scout handbook; make sure it gets signed by the chairperson of the BOR.
• You cannot complete more than one rank in one BOR session, even if you've satisfied all the requirements.
• The "clock" for the next rank starts ticking with your BOR date. For example, one of the Star requirements is "Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 4 months as a First Class Scout." That 4-month period begins with the date of the BOR that confirmed the scout's advancement to First Class status.
• Eagle Scout BORs are handled differently, so you won't be signing up via this page.

Thank you.  

Comments or questions to Mary Pekot Troop Advancement Chair.  DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE: mgp-rcs@msn.com