Troop 698 participates in many activities involving
the community, other troops and within our own troop. The events range
from the Annual Yard Sale we sponsor to attending camporees where many
other troops from NCAC and beyond all interact to merit badge work where
we invite community members - sheriffs, business people and even a Representative
from the Virginia House of Delegates - to talk with the boys and share
how their work affects the lives of the scouts and their families.
  
2013 - 2014
September
2013 |
September 7th - 8th - Burke Festival, Scouts work at the French Fry Sale
The Burke Rotary will be having their annual French Fry sale at the Festival and is looking for scout volunteers to work with them in their booth. We are looking for scouts and parents that could help out in 2-3 hour time slots on Saturday and/or Sunday between 10-5.
September 8th, 7:30pm - 1st Troop Meeting
September 16th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
September 23th, 7:30 pm - 1st committee meeting.
The
Committee Chair hopes to go over the scout calendar and finalize
any details that we left hanging at the last meeting.
September 28th - 29th - First Campout of the year - Canoeing & campout weekend
To make this trip easy logistically, we will be camping right at the Canoe Outfitters (www.ShenandoahRiver.com, 6502 S Page Valley Rd, Luray VA 22835) in a family-friendly campground. This trip is considered “Beginner Whitewater” – primarily Class 1 rapids and a single Class 2.5 rapid. Everybody will wear a PFD and we’ll keep leaders at the front and back of the flotilla. The leaves should just be turning in the Blue Ridge to make for a beautiful day on the river. Hopefully the weather cooperates, but if it doesn’t, remember we are Scouts and we never let the weather stop us. We just come prepared!
a. We’ll meet at White Oaks at 0745am Saturday to depart at 0810. That should put us out to Luray VA around 1000. Everybody should eat breakfast beforehand (or bring with), and bring a bag lunch in a Ziplock which we will hopefully enjoy together on the river. I think we’ll get back to the Outfitters around 4pm to set up camp, make dinner, maybe do some fishing, etc. We’ll depart Sunday around 10:00 for return to White Oaks around Noon.
b. Pack your things for the river trip separately from camping things: water bottle, wear clothes that can get wet – including old sneakers or water shoes, waterproof camera, ball cap, rain jacket (depending on forecast), some cord. A “dry sack” is very helpful – can buy inexpensive models at Walmart.
c. Need every family to send a filled-out Waiver form for the Outfitter (attached) and to watch together a required training video. This trip’s a little more costly than most: send $51 per person which includes ½ canoe rental ($28), campground fee ($8), $5 troop equipment fee, and $10 for dinner/breakfast/snacks. If you are camping but not canoeing, the cost is reduced to $23.
d. Other things to pack includes: change of clothes, scout handbook, pocket knife, flashlight, book to read, small games, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, small pillow, appropriate outerwear, and a mess kit. I recommend all electronics stay in the vehicles to avoid damage, theft, breakage, and lack of focus on leader instructions.
September 30th, 7:30 pm - Troop meeting.
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October
2013 |
October 7th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
October 14th, No meeting - School Closed
October 21st, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
October 25 - 27th - Patriot District Camporee
, At Camp Snyder in Haymarket VA. This fall camporee will focus on Camp Cooking skills. I don’t believe the cost will be excessive. Details are still forthcoming.
October 28th, 7:00pm - Troop Court of Honor We’ll also have a Potluck Meal afterward.
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November
2013 |
November 4th, No meeting - School Closed
November 9th - Scouting for Food bag dropoff 9-11am
Scouts meet at WOES parking lot at 9AM Saturday morning. The Troop will go house to house picking up collection bags to help feed the homeless and less fortunate. The collections will be taken to the Safeway parking lot.
November 9th, 1-5pm - Bike hike - local ride, detail TBD
Scouts meet at WOES parking lot at 9AM Saturday morning. The Troop will go house to house picking up collection bags to help feed the homeless and less fortunate. The collections will be taken to the Safeway parking lot.
November 11th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
November 18th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
November 23rd, 7:15am-5:45pm - Old Rag Hike at Shenandoah National Park (Rain Date Nov. 24)
Our Hike is a GO for this Saturday to Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. This is one of the most challenging and fun hikes in the entire Mid-Atlantic Region. Weather forecast calls for Partly Sunny and temps will be in 40s to low 50s. There is a very slight chance of morning showers, so be prepared. Permission Slip is attached. This hike should be attended only by those in good physical condition (see http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/old-rag-hike-prep.htm ).
Itinerary:
a. meet at 7:15am at White Oaks parking lot, depart at 7:30am,
b. arrive at the Old Rag Parking area about 9:15am (set GPs for Nethers VA),
c. hike for about 6.5 hours (about 8.5 miles total w/2500 feet elevation change), eating lunch on the mountain
d. Stop for cheeseburgers on way home, and return about 6pm.
Packing List:
e. Comfortable but sturdy footwear
f. Minimum 1.5 liters drinking water + water for meal prep (if needed for your lunch)
g. Trail snacks (granola, power bars, jerky, etc.)
h. Lunch meal (can of stew, freeze-dried backpack food, sandwich, etc.)
i. Pocket rocket stove - if needed for your lunch
j. Appropriate outerwear in adjustable layers (include a hat)
k. Gloves for rock-scrambling (optional)
l. $5 for park entry plus fast-food dinner money.
m. Small-size pack to hold all gear without weighing you down
If any families have an annual pass to Shenandoah Nat’l Park then please bring that along to save some cost. Active military individuals are eligible for a free annual pass at the park.
November 25th, 7:30pm - Troop / Committee Meeting
|
December
2013 |
December 2rd, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
December 9th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
December 14 - 15th - Winter Camp out
December Campout has been CANCELED due to foul weather reports.
Instead, we have a unique opportunity...
December 14th - Remembrance Wreath laying at Arlington Cemetary
An opportunity to support our Military this Saturday morning at Arlington National Cemetery to help lay Remembrance Wreaths on the soldier’s head-stones. Entire families are welcome to participate to volunteer to place wreaths at Arlington, please join us at the McClellan Arch located on McClellan Drive on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. for the Opening Ceremony.
The public will be allowed entry to the cemetery at 8:00 a.m. The ceremony will provide some introductory remarks and a short briefing to provide basic information to volunteers. After the ceremony, volunteers will move to the designated areas of the cemetery where they will participate in the laying of wreaths on headstones beginning at 10:00 a.m. We want to remind you that when you place the wreath, you may be the first person to visit that particular grave in years, so we hope you will take time to read the stone and honor the memory of that hero. Our theme for this year is "Come with a Mission - Leave with a Memory."
(https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/act-now/volunteer/volunteer-your-time/ )
At 11:00 a.m. there will be a wreath laying at President Kennedy's grave followed by an 11:30 a.m. wreath laying at the USS Battleship Maine's Mast Memorial. The final ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at noon.
We highly encourage Metro use as parking within the cemetery itself will be very restricted.
Let’s meet at White Oaks ES Parking lot at 7:30am Saturday. We’ll depart for the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station by 7:45am (~15 min drive). The Blue Line has trains departing at 8:20 and 8:40 that will leave us right in the Cemetery in 26 minutes. Then it’s about .6 miles to walk to the meeting point.
a. Everybody should eat a good breakfast beforehand, and bring your own pocket snacks and drink. I recommend a small backpack. This is a solemn event and “a Scout is Reverent”, so prepare accordingly.
b. Dress in layers with a waterproof exterior. Remember a hat, gloves, and waterproof (but comfortable) footwear.
c. If you have a Metro SmarTrip card, the train cost is $3.50 each way. If you don’t have SmarTrip, the cost is $4.50 each way. Please bring exact change ($9 or $10 in crisp bills and/or quarters that will feed easily into the machine). Each person has to have their own fare card (paper or SmarTrip) – you can’t get two people in with one card no matter how much money you put on it.
d. Parking at the Metro station is $4.75 for the day. Must pay with SmarTrip Card or Credit Card. We should pack as many people as possible into each vehicle to cut down the costs.
e. Coming home we can stop for lunch together if anybody has time. I expect to return around 2pm. How about the Chick-Fil-A on Backlick Rd. in Springfield?
*** Please email me back with the number you expect to attend the Wreath Ceremony from your family, if you can drive to the station, and how many your vehicle can hold.
December 16th, 7:00pm - Winter COH
You are cordially invited to attend the Troop 698 Winter Court of Honor on Monday, 16 December at 7pm in the White Oaks Elementary School cafeteria.
Please note that Courts of Honor start a half hour earlier than normal meetings because we will be having dinner following the ceremony. The troop will provide pizza, soda, cups and utensils for the dinner. If scouting families could please bring desserts, we would really appreciate it! We're looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the troop!
December 23th - Winter Break, School is Closed
MERRY CHRISTMAS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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January
2014 |
January 7th - Troop Meeting
January 14th - Troop Meeting
January 19, 20, 21st - Merit Badge Weekend at Camp Snyder
Mr Cox had an opportunity to review the big binder of blue cards and put together a spreadsheet for most of the scouts which was displayed at our last meeting. If a scout is not listed and needs to be listed, please let him know. This list will be used to determine which merit badges will be taught in January. We can work to fix errors.
If parents plan to attend the merit badge weekend, please let Mr Cox know if you plan to teach a merit badge or two. He will finalize the list over the next few weeks.
January 28th - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
|
February
2014 |
February 2nd - Eagle Project
Ecology Project at Royal Lake (off Guinea Rd.) Sat. Feb. 2nd: Bobby E has gotten approval from Ffx Cty Park Authority to do his Eagle Project at Royal Lake to remove harmful non-native plants. We need all hands to support this important service project from 10am – 3pm, so please mark your calendars!! Rain date is Feb. 9th. Training will be provided on what to look for and how to remove it.
February 3th - Troop Meeting
February 10th - Troop Meeting
February 17th - No meeting, school holiday
February 23th - Troop Ski trip
February 24th - Troop Meeting
|
2012 - 2013
September
2012 |
September 8th - 9th - Burke Festival, Scouts work at the French Fry Sale
The Burke Rotary will be having their annual French Fry sale at the Festival and is looking for scout volunteers to work with them in their booth. We are looking for scouts and parents that could help out in 2-3 hour time slots on Saturday and/or Sunday between 10-5.
September 10th, 7:30pm - 1st Troop Meeting
September 17th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
September 21st - 23rd - Pax River Campout - Aviation merit badge
-When: WOES on Friday at 5:45, depart NLT at 6:15. I have maps for five drivers.
-Where: Ponds 1 Campground, Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD 20670.
See attached map, slightly left of center (also called Gardiner's Pond).
Notice that the pond is an approved fishing area.
-What: Aviation Merit Badge. I have printed out the worksheets for all eight boys. If you have an Aviation Merit Badge book, please bring it.
Our agenda is:
Saturday
-0900 Flight Planning Office tour/brief
-0930 Fire Station tour/Brief
-1015 Control Tour tour/Brief
Lunch
-1300 Merit badge administration/FPG-9 creation
-1400 Free time
Sunday
-1000 Aviation Museum (four simulators reserved 1000-1100. $10 per boy for 30 minutes)
-1100 Tour of Museum flight line (tentative)
-1130 Depart for WOES
-Permission slip: Attached. Please fill out the page two page (short and
sweet) and bring it with you to WOES.
-Meals: David S and Gabe J are preparing all of the meals for the all of the boys (Sat and Sun b-fast, Sat lunch and Sat dinner).
We are not providing meals on Friday night. Approx meal cost is $10 per boy.
All the boys will complete their Aviation Merit Badge this weekend
September 24th, 7:30 pm - 1st committee meeting.
The
Committee Chair hopes to go over the scout calendar and finalize
any details that we left hanging at the last meeting.
|
October
2012 |
October 1st, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
October 8th, No meeting - School Closed
October 15th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
October 22nd, 7:00pm - Fall COH
October 26 - 28th - Patriot Shooting Camporee
The Patriot District Fall Camporee will take place from Friday evening, October
26 till Sunday morning, October 28, 2012. We will camp at Camp High Road. The
address of the field we will camp in is 21164 Steptoe Hill Rd, Middleburg, VA
20117. The cost is dependent upon the activity each participant chooses.
October 29th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
|
November
2012 |
November 3rd - Scouting for Food bag dropoff 9-11am
Scouts meet at WOES parking lot at 9AM Saturday morning. The Troop will go house to house dropping collection bags to help feed the homeless and less fortunate. The collections will be taken to the Safeway parking lot on November 10 by Pack 698.
November 5th, No meeting - School Closed
November 12th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting - SPL Election
November 18th - High Adventure Hike
High Adventure Hike up Old Rag Mountain on Sunday November 18th. This hike is primarily aimed at participants in 7th grade or above and in good physical condition to complete this trek in one day. We may join with Venturing Crew 1100 (out of Nativity Catholic Church) for a joint event.
Itinerary: I got some intel from another scout leader that we should get an earlier start for our Old Rag hike to avoid log-jams that sometimes occur near the top of the mountain since this is a popular hike. Let’s move our gathering time from 8:00am to 7:10am this Sunday morning at White Oaks ES. We’ll depart at 7:20am sharp.
We’ll need 5.5 hours for the hike, 0.5 hours for lunch, and 4.0 hours for travel. That puts us back in Burke around 5:20pm.
November 19th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
November 26th, 7:30pm - Troop / Committee Meeting
|
December
2012 |
December 3rd, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
December 10th, 7:30pm - Troop Meeting
December 15 - 16th - Winter Camp out
December Campout in Fairfax Station at Bill Dexter’s Property. Mr. Dexter is a former T698 SM and currently a Patriot District Camporee Director; he also lets us keep the Troop Trailer at his property
December 17th, 7:00pm - Winter COH
You are cordially invited to attend the Troop 698 Winter Court of Honor on Monday, 17 December at 7pm in the White Oaks Elementary School cafeteria.
Please note that Courts of Honor start a half hour earlier than normal meetings because we will be having dinner following the ceremony. The troop will provide pizza, soda, cups and utensils for the dinner. If scouting families with last names starting with A-L could please bring desserts and families with last names starting M-Z bring side dishes, we would really appreciate it! We're looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the troop!
December 24th - Winter Break, School is Closed
MERRY CHRISTMAS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
|
January
2013 |
January 7th - Troop Meeting
January 14th - Troop Meeting
January 19, 20, 21st - Merit Badge Weekend at Camp Snyder
Mr Cox had an opportunity to review the big binder of blue cards and put together a spreadsheet for most of the scouts which was displayed at our last meeting. If a scout is not listed and needs to be listed, please let him know. This list will be used to determine which merit badges will be taught in January. We can work to fix errors.
If parents plan to attend the merit badge weekend, please let Mr Cox know if you plan to teach a merit badge or two. He will finalize the list over the next few weeks.
February 21st - Special Event
Mr. Kennaugh entered our Troop into a lottery to serve as volunteers at the Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 21st in Washington DC. Only 10 scouts may attend and Council has requested only the older members of the Troops to participate. Only 2 adult chaperones may attend, Mr. Kennaugh and Scoutmaster Koehler will fill those roles. There is also a cost to participate. We will be contacting scouts/families in descending order of age until all the spots are filled.
January 28th - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
|
February
2013 |
February 2nd - Eagle Project
Ecology Project at Royal Lake (off Guinea Rd.) Sat. Feb. 2nd: Bobby E has gotten approval from Ffx Cty Park Authority to do his Eagle Project at Royal Lake to remove harmful non-native plants. We need all hands to support this important service project from 10am – 3pm, so please mark your calendars!! Rain date is Feb. 9th. Training will be provided on what to look for and how to remove it.
February 4th - Troop Meeting
February 11th - Troop Meeting
February 18th - No meeting, school holiday
February 23 - 24th - Campout at Burke Lake Park (primitive area) **change of venue
this weekend we will be doing an Orienteering Course (aka Map-and-Compass Navigation). We’ll also have a discussion on Leave-No-Trace techniques. We’ll meet at White Oaks ES at 9am on Saturday and return Sunday morning about 10:30.
See the link below for location information on this trip. Weather looks to be rainy for the first part of the day on Saturday with temps in the 40s. Overnight temps will dip to the low 30’s. Not much different than our December campout, but still another chance to practice cold-weather camping.
Packing List (need to fit everything other than sleeping bag/pad in a backpack):
• Sleeping Bag (preferably rated for winter or else a 3-season bag with some blankets) in waterproof trashbag.
• Sleeping pad (this is not just for tactile comfort: you can lose a lot of heat to the ground), and optional pillow
• Warm clothes (consider long underwear), one set to wear and a spare to change into if needed
• Appropriate footwear for hiking in cold, damp conditions (i.e., boots and thick socks)
• Outerwear in layers. For example, a sweatshirt and thin rain coat instead of one heavy coat allows some options. Knit cap and gloves. Rain poncho can always come in handy.
• Compass and Scout Handbook
• Small Mess Kit (bowl, cup, utensils)
• Water bottle
• Flashlight
• Optional: Book to read and small games
• Electronics are not recommended. Bring at your own risk. Adults can lock them in cars if asked. No electronics use allowed during Troop activities.
February 25th - Troop Meeting
Cross-over Web2 scouts will be with us for the 1st time as new Boy Scouts! WELCOME!!
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March
2013 |
March 4th - Troop Meeting
March 11th - Troop Meeting
March 18th - Spring Court of Honor
Pot luck dinner with an International theme. COH starts at 7pm.
March 23 - 24th - Sky Meadow Campout and Hike
Sky Meadows State Park Web Site: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/sky.shtml
We have a camp site reserved. The camp site is roughly 3/4 of a mile from the parking lot, so will treat it like a backpack trip. This is the 4th time we have camped here, great site. Water and latrine facilities at the camp site. Linden, VA is 60 miles from White Oaks Elementary.
For the younger scouts...led by Daniel C and Justin K, working on scout skills and tenderfoot requirements.
March 25th - No meeting - Spring Break week
|
April
2013 |
April 1st - Troop Meeting / Troop Election for Senior Patrol Leader
April 8th - Troop Meeting
April 15th - NO Meeting - School is closed
April 19th and 20th - Eagle Project
Daniel S is painting a couple of rooms at the Barcroft Bible Church,
9401 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax VA, 22030 (It's right across the Chuck-E-Cheese's) and needs our help. Two different days and plenty of hours so signup to help!
Friday April 19th 5:00 PM- 10:00 PM
Saturday April 20th 9:30 AM- 5:30 PM
April 22nd - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
April 26 - 28th - District Spring Camporee
The theme for the Patriot District Spring Camporee is Outdoor Adventure featuring a high rope course for the older scout.
April 29th - Troop Meeting
|
May
2013 |
May 4th - Troop Yard Sale 8am - 1pm
Our annual Troop yard sale will be Saturday, May 4th. The sale runs from 8 AM to 1 PM with volunteers arriving as early as 6:30 and staying until as late as 2 PM. This is our biggest fundraiser and it is actually a fun time for the Scouts and their families. Please begin making a "Yard Sale" pile to donate to the troop and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. If you have large items, we can arrange for pick up if you are unable to transport them yourself. We also are able to collect donations ahead of time if there is a need.
May 6th - Troop Meeting
May 13th - Troop Meeting
May 18 - 19th - Campout Activity - location TBD
May 20st - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
May 27th - No meeting, Memorial Day
|
June
2013 |
June 3rd - Troop Meeting
June 10th - Troop Meeting
June 15th - Summer COH / Picnic
June 17th - Troop Meeting
June 22 - 23rd - Overnight Backpack Trip to Shenandoah National Park OR Campout at Burke Lake Park (for anyone who can't make the hike)
|
July
2013 |
July 14 - 20th - Troop Summer Camp - Blue Ridge Scout Reservation
Please mark your calendars!!! There are three programs available: a) First Year Scout Program (aka Brownsea Island), b) Powhatan Base Camp Merit Badge Program, and c) High Knoll High Adventure Backpacking for age 13.5 and up. For additional program information click here: http://bsa-brmc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=297&Itemid=368. Summer camp is always one of the highlights of the Scouting Year, and we’ll need a $100 deposit from anybody planning to go by March 15th to reserve your spot (committee parents and ASM’s are encouraged to join in!).
*** BSA Medical Form. Please have this completed before Camp, 14 July 2013. Parts A, B and C are required. Section D is for High Adventure participants.***
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August
2013 |
August 14th - Tuesday night ** Troop Movie Night at University Theater, $2 Buck Tuesday!
http://www.universitymalltheatres.com/pages/Showtimes.html
|
2011 - 2012
September
2011 |
September 10, 11th - Burke Festival, Scouts work at the French Fry Sale
The Burke Rotary will be having their annual French Fry sale at the Festival and is looking for scout volunteers to work with them in their booth. We are looking for scouts and parents that could help out in 2-3 hour time slots on Saturday and/or Sunday between 10-5.
September 12th, 7:30pm - 1st Troop Meeting
This is the same night as our first troop meeting.
September 19th, 7:30 pm - 1st committee meeting.
The
Committee Chair hopes to go over the scout calendar and finalize
any details that we left hanging at the last meeting.
|
October
2011 |
October 1, 2nd - Fall Camp out at Camp Wilson
October 3rd - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
October 17th - Fall COH, 7:00pm start time
October 22, 23rd - Camp out at Laurel Caverns
Scouts meet at WOES parking lot at 5AM Saturday morning. The Troop will return Sunday early afternoon.
October 31st - No meeting, be safe with all
those ghosts and ghouls about!
|
November
2011 |
November 5th - Scout Day at USNA / Navy Football Game
All,
for the Naval Academy trip this next weekend, we are going to make
it a one day trip rather than an overnight camp out.
We will meet at White Oaks at 7am this Saturday, and plan on leaving at 7:15am. We need to be at the Germantown Elementary School (adjacent to the Naval Academy Football Stadium) parking lot at 9:00am to catch a 9:15 bus the academy Halsey Field House. The Naval Academy Tour will start at the field house, and complete around 11:30am.
After the tour, we will allow the scouts to break for lunch at any of the numerous fast food establishments outside the campus in the Annapolis Harbor for roughly an hour.
We will muster and walk as a troop to the stadium (about 1/2 mile) to be in the seats by 3:00...game starts at 3:30. After the game, all will walk to the cars at the Germantown Elementary School and return to Burke.
Food for lunch and the game, I recommend roughly $30. The tickets for game are $14 each, payment due to the troop.
It really is a great time. Tour of the campus by a Eagle Scout Midshipmen around 9ish.
===============================
The reason to not do an over night this year was logistics. We would
not get back to the campground after the game until around 8:30,
get ready for bed, the cook breakfast in the am prior to leaving
...little would be done for scout skills for the effort to set up
the campsite prior to the tour and bringing all the stuff with us.
We decided to keep the event simple.
November 7th - No meeting, school is closed
November 12th - Scouting for Food bag pickup
Scouts meet at WOES parking lot at 9AM Saturday morning. The Troop will go house to house collecting canned goods to help feed the homeless and less fortunate. The collections will be taken to the Safeway parking lot around noon. Bags were handed out by the Cub Scouts the prior weekend.
|
December
2011 |
December 10, 11th - Troop Activity, Winter Skills
December 19th - Troop Court of Honor and Holiday party, 7PM start
time
Troop
698 and Families,
You are all cordially invited to attend the:
Troop 698 Winter Court of Honor
Monday, 19 Dec at 7pm
White Oaks Elementary School
Please note that this is an earlier start time than our usual troop
meetings because we will be having dinner following the Court of
Honor. The troop will provide pizza, soda, cups and utensils for
the dinner. If scouting families with last names starting with A-L
could please bring desserts, and families with last names starting
with M-Z bring side sides, we would really appreciate it!
We're looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the
troop members!
Please let Pat Eaton or Connie Meskill know if you have any questions
about the dinner portion of the Court of Honor.
December 26th - Winter Break, School is Closed
MERRY CHRISTMAS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
|
January
2012 |
January 2nd - No meeting, school is closed
January 9th - Troop Meeting
January 14, 15, 16th - Merit Badge Weekend at Camp Snyder
Mr Cox had an opportunity to review the big binder of blue cards and put together a spreadsheet for most of the scouts which was displayed at our last meeting. If a scout is not listed and needs to be listed, please let him know. This list will be used to determine which merit badges will be taught in January. If there are errors in the list, it is because he did not have the blue card, or he miscopied the blue card. We can work to fix it.
If parents plan to attend the merit badge weekend, please let Mr Cox know if you plan to teach a merit badge or two. He will finalize the list over the next few weeks.
For those who do not know, we will be changing our location this year and spending the weekend at Camp Snyder hoping the "bed bugs don't bite." The cost is not yet finalized, but we anticipate it will be cheaper than Camp Letts. However, it will be a little more difficult because we will need to cook all of our food since a dining hall is not available. There is a refrigerator, stove, and freezer in our cabin.
January 23rd - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
January 30th - No meeting, school is closed
|
February
2012 |
February 5th - Scout Sunday
February 6th - Troop Meeting
February 11th - Scout Sabbath
February 11, 12th - Ski Trip weekend
Too warm this winter - cancelled.
February 13th - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
February 20th - Visit to WETA radio station
February 27th - Troop Meeting
|
March
2012 |
March 5th - Troop Meeting
March 12th - Troop Meeting
March 19th - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
March 24, 25th - March Camping Weekend
Postponed
due to weather
Sky Meadows State Park Web Site: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/sky.shtml
We have a camp site reserved. The camp site is roughly 3/4 of a mile from the parking lot, so will treat it like a backpack trip. This is the 4th time we have camped here, great site. Water and latrine facilities at the camp site. Linden, VA is 60 miles from White Oaks Elementary.
For the older Scouts - The goal is hiking 15-20 miles...ending up at Sky Meadows State Park around 11am or earlier on the 25th. I am thinking the camp site just south of Sky Meadows on the A Trail.
For the younger scouts...led by Daniel C and Justin K, working on scout skills and tenderfoot requirements.
March 26th - Troop Meeting
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April
2012 |
April 2nd - No meeting, school is closed
April 9th - No meeting, school is closed
April 16th - Troop Meeting
April 23rd - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
April 27 - 29th - Camping trip
Sky Meadows State Park
Instead of the Patriot District Spring Camporee will be going to Sky Meadows State Park this weekend. Sky Meadows is about 40 miles West of DC off I-66 (about an hour's drive). Plan on meeting at the White Oaks Elementary Parking lot at 9:00am this Saturday. We will depart at 9:30. The campers will need to bring a bag lunch for Saturday lunch. We am treating this like a backpacking trip...it is a 3/4 of a mile from the park parking lot to the primitive campsite (they have well water and a latrine at the campsite). Please have the scouts bring a freeze dried meal for Saturday night and something light for breakfast (instant oatmeal). Freeze dried meals can be purchased at Wal-Mart, REI, or any of the big sports stores (i.e. Dicks Sports Authority).
We will be working on Scout Skills at the campout. In addition, the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club will there that night. It is a chance to learn about the day and night sky and view deep space objects through mult iple telescopes. Many experienced astronomers will be available to answer questions and share their knowledge. We will get home around noonish on the 29th. The cost will be $5.00 per camper, plus your meal.
April 30th - Troop Meeting
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May
2012 |
May 5th - Troop Yard Sale 8am - 1pm
Click here for the Yard Sale flyer
Our annual Troop yard sale will be Saturday, May 5th. The sale runs from 8 AM to 1 PM with volunteers arriving as early as 6:30 and staying until as late as 2 PM. This is our biggest fundraiser and it is actually a fun time for the Scouts and their families. Please begin making a "Yard Sale" pile to donate to the troop and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. If you have large items, we can arrange for pick up if you are unable to transport them yourself. We also are able to collect donations ahead of time if there is a need.
May 7th - Troop Meeting
May 14th - Troop Meeting
May 19, 20th - Camping trip
The Troop will be going to Westmoreland State Park. Westmoreland is a new camp for us, and is East of Fredericksburg. It is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from Burke (depending on traffic). This is a car camping trip, and the patrols will do their meal planning and activities. My point for the patrol leaders will be to do dinner in a Dutch oven, have a big bonfire (s 'mores and skits), and to try to finish the requirements for the new scouts working on tenderfoot. We may need help from an adult to tow the trailer there. The cost for this campout will be $20.00 per camper.
May 21st - Troop Meeting / Committee meeting
May 28th - No meeting, school is closed
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June
2012 |
June 4th - Troop Meeting
June 9th, 10th - Summer Hiking trip
Planning on a backpacking trip near Camp David, MD. More details to follow...
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June 11th - Troop Meeting
June 18th - LAST Troop Meeting
June 23rd - Summer picnic / COH
June 25th - No meeting, school is closed
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2010 - 2011
September
2010 |
September 11, 12th - Burke Festival, Scouts work at the French Fry Sale
The Burke Rotary will be having their annual French Fry sale at the Festival and is looking for scout volunteers to work with them in their booth. We are looking for scouts and parents that could help out in 2-3 hour time slots on Saturday and/or Sunday between 10-5.
September 13th, 7:30pm - 1st Troop Meeting / 1st committee meeting.
This is the same night as our first troop meeting. The Commitee Chair hopes to go over the scout calendar and finalize any details that we left hanging at the last meeting.
September 20th, 7:30 pm - Visit to the Fairfax County Emergency Operations Center.
It's one of the 50 largest 9-1-1 call centers in the US. The boys are going to get to tour the Fairfax County Emergency Operations Center - it's where all the 911 calls come in and everything in the county gets routed through there. The address is 4890 Alliance Drive, it's off the West Ox Road exit on the Parkway. 7:30 pm.
September 25, 26th - Blue Ridge Regional Park
Camping trip, this trip will deal mainly with hiking.
The
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority offers a number of wonderful
places for scout camping. Our newest youth group camping area is
Blue Ridge Regional Park in western Loudoun County not far from
Bear's Den and the Appalachian Trail. This site is more primitive
than the other, and perfect for that authentic outdoor experience.
The amenities include a well with potable water, porta-jon, central
pavilion with stone fireplace, camp sites with fire rings, picnic
tables, and level tent areas. Check out their blog
September 27th, 7:30 pm - Speaker from the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management to finish what they can with E-Prep |
October
2010 |
October 18, 25th - Public Speaking merit badge. Table Topics (2 minute talk) and Intro Speech (3 -5 minute talk)
October 29 - 31st - Patriot District Fall Camporee at Camp Snyder
NCAC has cancelled the Haunted House. But the camporee is still happening. We will meet at White Oaks at 5:30, with a planned departure at 6pm. Plan on being back on Sunday around 11ish. All attendees will be responsible for their own dinner Friday night. We will do a small Cracker barrel Friday night at the campsite is settled. Our troop will assist Mr. Reed with the paper airplane build and toss. Zach N has contacted senior scouts to assist. The younger scouts will go from station to station, learn, and have fun.
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November
2010 |
November 6th - Scouting for Food bag drop
November 7th - Tracking Merit Badge day camp sponsored by BSA Venturing Crew 202
Location: DNR's Morgan Run Center off Nicodemus Road in Westminster, MD.
Join professionals from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources members of Venturing Crew 202, and an expert animal tracker for a repeat of our highly popular Tracking Merit Badge.
Tracking -10am - 5:30pm on November 7th
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from natural resources experts and earn this special 100 year anniversary merit badge - will only be offered this year!
Pre-Requisites:
Please read http://www.ussartf.org/animal_tracking.htm (PDF below for printout)
For this Merit Badge, Scouts are required to take photos of mammals, birds and tracks (see point breakdown below, 30 points are needed). As the merit badge must be completed by 31 December and it may become increasingly difficult to find subjects to photograph in cold weather, we highly encourage scouts to work on this requirement as soon as they decide they are taking the badge. All photos should be labeled and clear enough that species identification is possible.
(a) Live bird away from nest.................................... 4 points
(b) Live woodchuck or smaller wild animal ............ 3 points
(c) Live wild animal larger than woodchuck ........... 4 points
(d) Live bird on nest ................................................ 3 points
(e) Tracks of live wild animal or bird ....................... 2 points
Special Notes- Please Read:
Scouts may be dropped off as early as 9:30 am and should be picked up not later than 5:15 pm
Registration begins at 9:30 am
Scouts should arrive absolutely no later than 9:50 am
Parents are invited to stay and observe activities, but attendance is not necessary.
Snacks and drinks will be provided, but Scouts should bring a bag lunch.
Tracking Merit Badge will involve outside activity (rain or shine); Scouts should dress appropriately for the weather.
All Scouts must bring a blue card signed by their scoutmaster to be eligible to earn this merit badge. Scouts should also have read http://www.ussartf.org/animal_tracking.htm (PDF below for printout) and attempt to complete the photography prerequisites outlined above.
Questions should be addressed to pspioch@kbstm.com
November 13, 14th - Naval Academy Football game
All, for the Naval Academy trip this next weekend, we are going to make it a one day trip rather than an overnight campout.
We will meet at White Oaks at 7am this Saturday, and plan on leaving at 7:15am. We need to be at the Germantown Elementary School (adjacent to the Naval Academy Football Stadium) parking lot at 9:00am to catch a 9:15 bus the academy Halsey Field House. The Naval Academy Tour will start at the field house, and complete around 11:30am.
After the tour, we will allow the scouts to break for lunch at any of the numerous fast food establishments outside the campus in the Annapolis Harbor for roughly an hour.
We will muster and walk as a troop to the stadium (about 1/2 mile) to be in the seats by 3:00...game starts at 3:30. After the game, all will walk to the cars at the Germantown Elementary School and return to Burke.
Food for lunch and the game, I recommend roughly $30. The tickets for game are $14 each, payment due to the troop.
It really is a great time. Tour of the campus by a Eagle Scout Midshipmen around 9ish.
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The reason to not do an over night this year was logistics. We would not get back to the campground after the game until around 8:30, get ready for bed, the cook breakfast in the am prior to leaving...little would be done for scout skills for the effort to set up the campsite prior to the tour and bringing all the stuff with us. We decided to keep the event simple.
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December
2010 |
December 11, 12th - Campout on the USCGC Taney in Baltimore
On December 11, instead of spending the night at the Navy Yard, the Troop is booked on USCGC Taney, in Baltimore Harbor. The Taney was in Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack, if I understood correctly. Price is $50/person and includes dinner and breakfast, hands-on activities, and admission to the other ships.
Web site:
http://www.historicships.org/overnight_adventures.html
December 20th - Winter COH , 7:00pm start
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January
2011 |
January 15, 16, 17th - Merit Badge Weekend at Camp Letts
Merit Badge Weekend is rapidly approaching and this will be the first of hopefully only a notices needed to ensure a great weekend for the scouts. The cost is $90/scout_adult and we have space for up to 35. Directions and more details will follow at a later date.
If your scout is not on the list and is planning to attend, please reply to Mr. Cox and let Mr. Cox know so he can add him to the list. If your scout needs/wants a particular merit badge, please reply with the merit badge so Mr. Cox can add that to the list--obviously Mr. Cox cannot add all the merit badges, but the ones most requested will be taught as long as we have the counselor and adequate time.
Merit Badges Requested (Sign ups next Monday night):
Electronics
Weather
Textile
Cooking
Traffic Safety
Nature
Fire Safety
Forestry
Sports
Mammal Study
Citizenship in the World
Fish and Wildlife Management
Music
Radio
Theater
Wilderness Survival
Horsemanship
Small Boat Sailing
Rifle Shooting
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February
2011 |
February 5th - Troop Ski Trip with Pack 698
February 6th - Scout Sunday
February 12th - Scout Sabbath
First, from Church of the Nativity (Roman Catholic, on Old Keene Mill Rd. near Lee Chapel Rd.): The Church of the Nativity will be recognizing the anniversary of Boy Scouting at Nativity Church this Sunday, Feb 6 – Scout Sunday. Scouts and their leaders are encouraged to come to the 9:00 am mass where they will sit up front in pews reserved for the Scouts. They should arrive and gather in the all-purpose room across from the parish office at 8:30 AM, and come dressed in full uniform. If anyone from your unit wishes to bring a den, Pack or Troop flag, please also bring a stand for the flag. Uniformed scouts and leaders will procession in together to be seated before the mass begins, along with the Girl Scout Troops associated with the parish and any other scout parishioners.
Afterward, the Knights of Columbus (sponsors of Boy Scout Troop 1100 at Nativity) will sponsor a pancake breakfast for scouts and their families in the downstairs parish hall (I think $5 per person or $20 per family), and scout patches will be available.
February 27th - Scout Sunday II
Second, from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (on Sydenstricker Rd. near Old Keene Mill Rd.): St. Andrew's Episcopal Church will be celebrating the service of Scouting on Sunday, February 27th at our 10am service. Scout members of St. Andrew's will be participating in the Service as Ushers, Greeters, Oblation Bearers, Flag Bearers, Acolyting and Lay Reading. All Baptized visitors are welcome to come forward for Eucharist.
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March
2011 |
March 14th - Trip to the National Weather Service
We are scheduled for a tour of the local National Weather Service Forecast Office just NW of Dulles Airport at 6pm on Monday, March 14th. This will take the place of our normal scout meeting that night. It will also complete the requirements for the Weather Merit Badge.
I would like to meet at White Oaks Elementary Parking lot at 4:45, and leave at 5pm. By the attached MapQuest directions, it is 24 miles from White Oaks and takes 35 minutes, but at 5pm, I am thinking we will need a little more time to get there.
March 21st - Spring COH
March 26, 27th - Thomas Z's Eagle Scout Project
What are we doing?
We are restoring the Pearson family cemetery behind 6424 Meadow Lake Dr in the Edgewater community
What do you need to bring?
Work gloves, long pants and long sleeve shirts. If you can please bring wheelbarrows, rakes, eye protection, wire brushes, paint brushes and shovels.
Where and when is it?
Saturday March 26th 9:00-5:00 and Sunday March 27th 12:00-5:00 at 6424 Meadow Lake Drive (in case of rain, dates will be April 2nd and 3rd)
I will be providing donuts in the morning and lunch for the afternoon.
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April
2011 |
April 2nd - 3rd - Hike on the C & O Canal, camping by Carter Rock
April 16th - 24th - Spring Break
April 29th - May 1st - 2011 Spring Camporee at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park
The camporee theme will be a visit, study and reenactment of the Civil War Battle of New Market. The program will consist of touring the battlefield, visiting the museum, watching a movie on the battle and touring the Bushong farm. Reenactment activities will include drilling as Civil War infantrymen, watching artillery firing, and re-fighting the battle. On Sunday morning scouts will put on a historically accurate reenactment for parents and guests. Other camporee activities will include opening and closing ceremonies, religious services, and a campfire with OA Call-Out and dodge ball.
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May
2011 |
May 7th - Annual YARD SALE
The Yard Sale was a great success. Nearly a $1,000 for the Troop. Thank you to all who volunteered and the event - Scouts and parents, a like!
May 23rd - Veteran's panel discussion
as part of the American Heritage merit badge during Monday's normal Troop meeting. Reception to follow the panel discussion.
May 28th - International Scouting Day - Embassy of Sweden
INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING DAY
EMBASSY OF SWEDEN MAY 28TH, 2011
9AM - 12PM (MORNING SESSION)
OR 1PM - 4PM (AFTERNOON SESSION)
In preparation for the 22nd World Jamboree which will be held in Rinkaby later this year the Embassy of Sweden to the United States is hosting an International Scouting Day on Saturday, May 28, 2011 in Washington, DC that will be open to Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts and adult Scouters.
Scouts and Scouters will assemble at the Embassy to learn more about Sweden, the World Jamboree in Rinkaby and international scouting in general. There will be knot tying displays and classes and there will be an overview of Swedish culture provided by Embassy staff. The classes, information session and cultural exchange will be capped off by remarks by a senior member of the diplomatic corps. There is an optional hike following the event that will focus on Swedish flora and fauna. The Embassy can accommodate up to two hundred Scouts and Scouters for this event. Attendance at this event will also satisfy partial completion towards the International Activities Patch for both Scouts and Scouters and also satisfy some requirements for the International Scouter’s Award for Scouters.
On-line registration for the up-to-200 slots is now open for those interested at the following link:
http://boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=29761&orgkey=1988
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June
2011 |
POSTPONED • June 4th - Scout Service Day - White Oaks ES
This activity has been POSTPONED and will not occur on Saturday and no follow-up date has been set at this time.
WOES serves the scouts with a great facility and helpful staff. Please help the school by lending a hand on June 4th from 9am to 12noon.
June 21st - LAST Day of School
June 25th - Boy Scout Picnic and Court of Honor - 12:00-2:00pm
The Boy Scouts have their Summer Picnic and
Court of
Honor Saturday, 25 June from 12:00 - 2:00pm at the Picnic Shelter
at
Fountainhead Regional Park (directions below). We'll grill hamburgers
and
hotdogs for this Court of Honor, but it would be a huge help if
the families
with last names beginning with A-L could please bring desserts
and
families with last names beginning with M-Z could please bring
side dishes to
share. We would really appreciate the help! Drinks, plasticware
and plates
will be provided.The Boy Scouts have their Summer Picnic and Court
of
Honor Saturday, 25 June from 12:00 - 2:00pm at the Picnic Shelter
at
Fountainhead Regional Park (directions below). We'll grill hamburgers
and
hotdogs for this Court of Honor, but it would be a huge help if
the families
with last names beginning with A-L could please bring desserts
and
families with last names beginning with M-Z could please bring
side dishes to
share. We would really appreciate the help! Drinks, plasticware
and plates
will be provided.
A-L dessert
M-Z sides
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2009 - 2010
Scouting on the Mall 2010
Bayport Scout Camp, July 2010
To begin with I would like to say how proud I am in the scouts as all you parents should be, they have faced some real challenges this week. The weather here has been difficult to say the least. It started out hot, then got hotter and is now absolutely beastly. I walk around looking as if I had just come from a swim fully clothed. The young men of Troop 698 have worked through this heat working on their merit badges with out much complaints. They have been hot & tired but have keep moving forward on the tasks at hand. Tuesday night brought Armageddon with a lighting storm that should had broke there spirits but even with a collapsed dining fly, tents being blown off frames, lighting strikes, a river running through the middle of our site, rain coming down in sheets, and soaked gear our scouts made it through with only the prerequisite amount of grumbling. Now I will qualify my statement that this is observations of the boys at base camp but the Ravah Base scouts have had it worse as they don't get the occasional break from the heat during meals.
All boys did a great job on there merit badge work. Scott C continued his marksmanship by earning his shotgun merit badge shooting 5 for 5 and 5 for 4 on several rounds. He is joined by David M who earned his rifle merit badge by punching some quarter size holes in his targets.
Brian E, Scott C & Joseph G all earned their Environmental Science merit badge while Chayton K has but one item left to complete on his.
Chayton did earn his Oceanography merit badge as well as Fishing and Archeology. Brian E earn his Fishing & Archeology merit badge as well while needing one item needing completing. David M added to his tally with Oceanography, Fishing and Art. Scott C completed Art and First Aid to finish out his four and Joseph G complete his four with Art, Fishing & Leather Work.
Now our two first year scouts Garrett N & James S completed Swimming, First Aid, and Art along with many requirements for Second & First Class Rank.
I wish I could report on the activities of the Rivah Base group. I tried to deliver a care package of snacks but had to leave it for them as they where out on activities on the water. Hopefully we will get a report from them when we return.
It is getting time to think about breaking camp and heading home. Your Scouts of Troop 698 represented our troop admirably. Also it should be noted that our leaders Mike Koehler, Sandy Clark, David Song and Sam Gouda where there every step of the way for our Scouts. That it for now from Bayport Scout Reservation.
YIS
Sandy Clark
COH / End of year picnic, June 2010
Troop 698 Annual Yard Sale, May 2010
Bealeton Aviation Camporee, April 2010
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Questions, e-mail webmaster@burke698.org