The Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!”) Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) – the youth leadership of a BSA Troop – worked with their adult Scouters to plan and execute a series of active Scouting events during this August and September.
Despite the on-going COVID-19 challenges, these Scouts were determined to live by Lord Baden-Powell’s advice that: “A difficulty ceases to 
be a difficulty as soon as you smile at it and tackle it.” And tackle it these Scouts did! All events were conducted safely and were designed to be “COVID-friendly” – outdoors, single tents, single meals, masks when necessary for travel or indoors, etc. You can’t keep a good Scout down!
On Aug 16th the Troop completed an Eagle Scout Project at Chancellorsville Battlefield where Scouts, Scouting families and adult Scouters restored weathered trench markers depicting key locations on the battlefield.
On Aug 22nd the Troop went on a trip to Luray Caverns where they toured the caverns, partook in the exciting adventure of a ropes course, as well as the fun of finding their way through a garden maze.
On Sept 1st, the Troop conducted an Eagle Court of Honor honoring one of our strongest Scout leaders, Kent. The Troop even tried a COVID-friendly outdoor ceremony but, in keeping with Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!”) “tradition”, it down-poured! The rain couldn’t dampen the Scout Spirit as these hardy Scouts and Scouters made the best of it and it will certainly be an Eagle Court of Honor no one will soon forget.
Then, from Sept 4th – 5th older Scouts took on the challenge of backpacking into Nicholson Hollow in 
Shenandoah National Park. On Friday afternoon Scouts and Scouters, Scoutmaster Mike, Assistant Scout Masters Mark, Noah and Kevin, Committee Member Angelina, Senior Patrol Leader Mike F, Troop Guides Gavin and Mike T, Instructor AJ, Life Scout Jadon and Second Class Scout Kaden, backpacked several miles into the backcountry and set-up a primitive campsite. Hammocks and tarps were the shelters of choice for the Scouts and naturally, as soon as the Scouts were set-up, in true Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!”) fashion, it down-poured again! But, since these Scouts and Scouters live the Scout Motto to “Be Prepared,” all was well (and dry) as the Scouts continued to thrive in the outdoors and enjoyed backpacking meals, relaxing time by the river and even had a bear sighting – thank goodness Scouts had ensured all food was in well-placed and properly hung bear bags!
The following morning the Troop broke camp after breakfast, backpacked out and tackled climbing and descending Old Rag. Ten miles of traditional switchbacks and the typical downhill descent, but all Scouts agreed that the best and most fun part was the roughly two-mile rock scramble where it was hand-over-hand climbing and, in some places, squeezing up, down, through and over various rock formations. Challenging as it was, the rigorous hike was a great capstone to an awesome weekend.
With these successes under their Scout belts, Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!”) Scouts and Scouters are looking forward to more outdoor adventures throughout the fall!
Have you ever heard of a bike rodeo? If you’re expecting bull riders riding bicycles at a you’ll be disappointed, but Pack 1323 from Laytonsville, MD, did something just as cool this past August. The bike rodeo was held in an open parking lot to teach Scouts bike riding safety and techniques. Scouts learned about safety inspections, hand signals, helmet safety, and safe braking. One Scout remarked how his favorite part of the event was the “Slow Race” where Scouts had to follow a large circle on the ground and ride as slowly as possible without letting their feet touch the ground. The Scout with the longest time would win! Overall the Scouts had a great time at this fun, interactive, and educational event.
Troop 1889 of Aquia District, in conjunction with Troop 1422 of Mattaponi District, participated in a Flag Retirement ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 320 in Spotsylvania County. Troop 1889 collected about 85 tattered U.S. Flags that needed to be properly retired with due respect and honors. These were added to the several hundred that the American Legion already had gathered from the community.
and adult Scout Leaders, as well as three Scouts and the Scoutmaster from Troop 1422, reported to the American Legion at 10:00 AM to prepare the Flags and set them out on metal bars. At 2:00 PM, they all participated in the Flag Retirement Ceremony where over 350 flags were retired with dignity and honor while a bugler played taps. From the collection of worn U.S. Flags to the retirement ceremony, Scouts completed about 7 hours of community service while practicing social distancing.
The Founder of Scouting, Lord Robert Baden-Powell said: “The teaching of service is not merely a matter of teaching in theory, but the development of two distinct phases: the inculcation of the spirit of goodwill, and the provision of opportunity for its expression in practice. The teaching is mainly through example and … patriotic dedication of self to the service of [others], solely for the joy of doing it and without thought of material reward.” The Scouts of Troop 1889 and 1422 and their adult Scout Leaders clearly exemplified this kind of patriotic service in their honoring of U.S. Flags deserving of proper and respectful retirement.
As summer drew to a close, Aquia District Scouts BSA focused their efforts on helping Stafford Community residents by holding a second No Contact Food Drive on August 22, 2020, due to the planning and leadership of Aquia District Scouter Laura Curran. Scouts and their families suspended their preparations for the school year for a moment and instead did their Good Turn by collecting 4,353 pounds of food to help replenish the dwindling supplies of local Stafford County pantries.
Stafford pantries were grateful for the donations, as the need to help those affected by the pandemic continues. The pantries are expecting a prolonged demand due to corona-virus related job loss and furloughs and still need support to continue their fight against food insecurity. Donations of food via food drives are the main source of non-perishables for these food pantries.