T204 Boys/Girls - "Trash the Trash" Good Turn: *This Sat. 10/26, 10am - Noon* @KEN-GAR PARK ~ 11-14y girls can Earn SSLs with 204 G

Troop 204's Local "Trash the Trash" Conservation "Good Turns" 2021-26

Weekly Troop Meetings

Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm *During the MCPS School Year*

Bethesda United Methodist Church (BUMC) @8300 Old Georgetown Rd

"BUMC" is located at the NW corner of the intersection of Old Georgetown Rd with Huntington Terrace, just South of Greenwich Neighborhood Park/Tennis & Suburban Hosptial. Parking is in the rear lot of the Church (off of Old Georgetown Rd, Enter the building from the back door, inside the black gate, near the preschool playground.

Parents are welcome to stay on the BUMC premises at BUMC during our weekly Wednesday Troop Mtgs; however, we ask that parents complete Scouting America's Safeguarding Youth Training online ASAP. This training is located in my.scouting.org (Located at the same site as registrtration and renewal).

BUMC founded Troop 204 in 1933, the congregation continues to be a pillar of support for our diverse Troop. They permit us to utilize space in the basement to store gear, hold meetings/events, and they also provide us with potential Eagle Projects. T204 is now Chartered by Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary Club

Why Scouting? What is this Program about?

The Scouting Program facilitates Personal GROWTH through experiential learning & Type 1/2/3 level FUN!

WHY do we SCOUT?

FUN, Fellowship & Epic Outdoor Adventures! Scouting is a "Game with A Purpose" & it provides young people opportunities to learn experientially from their peers as part of a team. Each team and the individuals builds executive function skills through trying, failing, guided reflection and trying again in a safe space to find success in an endeavor that they personally care about.

Scouting is for EVERYONE:

Welcoming, Supportive & Safe Space for Growth

(Provided that a youth is either curious/open to new experiences or finds some comfort & enjoyment in nature.

Scout Slogan: Do A Good Turn Daily!

Mindfully incorporating the Scout Oath & Law each day.

Scout Spirit: Living in the Spirit of the Scout Oath/Law

Also connotes HAVING FUN when EVERYONE PITCHES IN & HELPS OUT together to do good work or to build goodwill

Scout Motto: Be Prepared.

i.e. Failing to Plan = Planning to Fail. When scouts choose their own adventures, they will be interested in learning to consider how they can optimize planning to maximize FUN.

Campouts, sharing camp cooking chores, hiking new routes, activities in adverse weather, and packing appropriately for outdoor adventures will provide many opportunities to learn the value of "Being Prepared"

What Happens at Wed. Evening Troop Meetings?

Our meetings open with a flag ceremony, patrols line up, scouts recite the Pledge, the Scout Oath/Law & Outdoor Code.

Meetings are NOT like "school" - they are meant to be FUN & can be chaotic because T204 is "Scout-Led". The Troop's PLC (elected youth leaders) meet monthly to plan both camping trips and upcoming troop meetings.

Food, Tents, & Gear planning (by patrol) for monthly campouts, particularly for patrol meals & duty rosters, will begin 2-3 weeks before each trip. New skills/content relevant to the outing or monthly them are taught by senior scouts or adult leaders.

Patrol advancement/activity plans, team/skill-building through games, ending with gathering to retire the "colors", a "Scoutmaster Minute" & closing circle.

The Patrol Method: Process over Product

"Patrols" test their PREPARATION by executing their own plans & then reflecting on the results.

Patrols: TEAM of 5-8 scouts of varying age, skill, motivation & maturity

Over many months or years, this semi-fluid group of boys or girls will camp, cook meals, tell jokes, make s'mores, sing songs, perform skits, use "EDGE" to teach knots, volunteer, hike "5 more miles", argue about doing the dishes, climb to amazing vistas, set goals, play chess, share gear, learn skills, and make memories TOGETHER.

Just like with other teams, they will hit speed bumps, grumble, get frustrated, disagree (loudly), etc., but will repeatedly work through the difficulties, find middle ground, actively listen, appreciate the other person's super powers, find their personal stride, innovate, feel patrol spirit, and learn that in leveraging each other's strengths, their patrol will become much more than just the sum of its parts.