Well, here we are…about halfway through Summer and wow – are we busy, or what!?! An Eagle Scout project, Special Olympics service event, SUMMER CAMP, Beach campout, National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE), Patrol outings, annual graduating Scout farewell, Sea Base High Adventure trek, Gettysburg Campout…we definitely haven’t slowed down to catch our breath.
Camp Shenandoah was a real adventure for everyone involved…many of our recent cross-over Scouts survived a week away from their parents for the first time, all of us did without hot water for the first 3 days and experienced the joys of corned beef hash at the dining hall, we continued Troop 58’s reign as campfire song kings with our rendition of TopNotcher, and lasting friendships were made, renewed, and set for life. One of our Scouts had such a great time that when we arrived back at Trailside MS that Saturday, he went home to do laundry so he could leave for camp again the next morning – as a member of the Camp Shenandoah staff for the rest of the Summer!
But that was just the headline event of the Summer…we also take advantage of the break from school each year to send Scouts to NYLT, the 2nd level of youth leadership training that BSA offers. But this year – for the first time! – we also have 2 Scouts attending NAYLE, the highest level of BSA youth leadership training. I am MORE THAN EXCITED for these 2 young men and can’t wait to hear about their experiences when they return.
And what conversation about this Summer would be complete without some foreshadowing of our upcoming Sea Base Out Island Adventure?!? 12 households in Ashburn are overflowing with “skin-so-soft” and long-sleeved SPF2000 rash guard shirts at this moment (or at least mine is). Our trip to Sea Base is a result of close to 3 years of planning and discussion…I know it will be an adventure the 16 of us will never forget.
I could go on and on about how we’re preparing to integrate our Spring cross-over Scouts into their permanent Patrols, or to thank our recently-retired Committee Chair for all she did for Troop 58 once again, but instead – I think I’ll put on some sunscreen, head to Nationals Park, and when the words from the National Anthem “O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave” are sung, I’ll reflect with pride not just on our Nation, but also on the respect and duty that our Scouts exhibited while raising and lowering the American flag each day and night at summer camp. We are cultivating an amazing group of young men in our Troop; I know they’ll be outstanding fathers, husbands, citizens, employees, and leaders in the future.