Starting in November, we'll be switching to monthly PLC and Committee meetings via Zoom, the Tuesday after a campout weekend.  That will be a free Tuesday for those not participating in the PLC and Committee Meeting Zoom calls.
We'll also be changing up the Troop Meetings as the weather gets colder, starting with one Zoom Tuesday a month, and trying to do something in person the other weeks (inside, outside, maybe not all on Tuesday nights - we'll see).

October 27 - Troop Meeting @6:00pm - Troy Fire Station No. 2
- Tenderfoot 2b & 3d, Second Class 2a-c and Sharpening Knives

November 3 - Troop Meeting location will probably be changing
- First Class 3a-d

November 7-8 - Lean To Campout in North Branch

Fantastic news today from the EPA and the Boy Scouts, they are launching an environmental award program.

Here is a quick overview.
 - 4 Merit Badges are needed to be earned:
 - 1 from Animal Sciences - Bird Study, Mammal Study, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Insect Study
 - 1 from Outdoor Activities - Backpacking, Camping, Gardening, Climbing, Canoeing
 - 1 from Earth Sciences - Energy, Forestry, Oceanography, Geology, Plant Science, Weather
 - The final merit badge is Public Health. Plus 6 hours of a conservation / public health service project.

Scouts, you'll need to hurry for this one. There is only a year and half to earn this, must be completed by December 2021.

Have fun & Scout On!

Learn more on this article - https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-boy-scouts-announce-collaboration-environmental-education-award-program-and-special

Here is the link to the video of the announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_6V4fRrGmo

The BSA World Conservation award patch:

Upcoming campout is August 28th - 30th. Plan for the campout after that:
 - Hiking at Owen's north cabin backyard

Plan for next meeting (August 25th):
 - First Aid
 - Trivia

Plan for the September 1st meeting: Picnic and Court of Honor
 - Each family must bring their own eating/picnic space (table, chairs, etc)
 - Only one person will be touching and serving the food

Dead weight: Come up with your patrol patch

Planned for - 8/4/2020:
      - Younger Scouts: Complete first Fitness requirement
      - Scouts with Jobs: meet your Mentor
      - Activity options: Police line, Trail placement or Mafia

Completed at the meeting - 8/4/2020:
      - Personal fitness
      - Mafia

To do on next meet - 8/18/2020:
      - First aid
      - Signs

Campout ideas for (8/28 to 8/30): Movie making, Historical location

The Troy Scout Shop is open again, for all your Scouting needs.

1155 East Long Lake Rd
Troy, MI 48085
(248) 526-0169

It's not clear what the current hours are, as the MCC and BSA National websites disagree, so call ahead to be sure they're open!

Current Scout Shop Promotions: https://michiganscouting.org/scout-shops-promotions/

1,000,000 Pieces of Trash
A Hornaday Award/Summit Award Project
Coordinated by John-Aaron Bozanic
Crew 774, Orange County Council

As a nation, we are experiencing what I perceive to be the most widespread and debilitating event to impact our country during my lifetime… the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated quarantine in place recommendations. This virus has impacted all of us, just not here in the United States, but globally. Schools and non-essential businesses closed down, concern and uncertainty in the face of economic slowdowns, looming fears of all enveloping disease felling broad swaths of our community.

Boy Scouts of America and other youth organization activities have essentially been frozen. Various national, state, and local health and governmental bodies have recommended or mandated limiting group meeting sizes to a few as ten persons. While many councils are encouraging virtual meetings to promote fellowship and advancement, my opinion is that this is merely a placeholder, an excuse to keep Scouts treading water until the situation changes.

Scouting should be bigger than this. Scouting IS bigger than this!

In times of emergencies, Scouts have the training and knowledge to step in and help. Sometimes we help directly, by providing first aid and other care. Other times we support local services and communities with tasks like directing traffic or distributing water. This is a time when we should be helping.

We cannot directly do anything about the virus, or its spread. Apart from handwashing recommendations and limiting contact with others, our options are limited. But we can still promote mental health in this stressful time, by providing a purpose to the youth (and adults) in our country.

Pollution and ecological health is a continuing challenge facing mankind. We have a unique opportunity to improve this. While large meetings are eschewed, while many people are idle because of school or business closures, we all have the ability to make a difference. Let’s get out and clean our neighborhoods, our parks, and our wilderness areas!

It has been shown time and again that stress levels can be reduced by providing individuals with a sense of purpose. Being outdoors has also been shown to help. Too many people are feeling despondent and shut in, staying in their homes, wondering what the future will bring. Let’s solve that NOW! We HAVE a purpose, and we CAN be outdoors!