Hello, Troop 48!  We hope everyone is staying safe while getting some exercise in your own neighborhoods.  Look for opportunities to do Good Turns, such as picking up trash (and aluminum cans for recycling).

This message is to provide another update regarding our troop calendar and activities.  While businesses, parks, and venues begin to reopen with limited capacity to maintain social distancing, Troop 48’s primary concerns are protecting our vulnerable members while continuing skill and leadership development.

But first, some good news.  Troop 48 rechartered 72 scouts and 65 adults for the next six months.  Thank you for supporting this program as we aspire to provide a solid experience for each and every one.

Back on the main topic, Troop 48 will follow the guidance of our state and local governments with their health departments – plus the permission of our charter organization, Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church (CHPC).  The Troop 48 adult leader committee met on April 21^st evening to agree that troop-wide meetings of nearly 100 people, even if spread around the church facility and grounds, are not yet viable.  Full Troop 48 in-person meetings through Tuesday, May 12^th are cancelled as reflected on the T48.org website Calendar.  May 12^th is when the adult leader committee will gather again after obtaining further direction from government, church, and scouting organizations.  Local schools are now closed through May.  A possible trigger to be able to assemble again would be official guidance to allow reopening of churches and schools.

In meantime, many scouts are taking advantage of the Scouting from Home activities offered on the BSA Sequoyah Council website.  Others are pursuing skill learning and merit badges on their own.  Joshua and Mrs. White are reaching out to the members working on Scout rank.  Others are finishing Star and Life ranks (and a 3^rd Silver Palm!) with three-way calls for Scoutmaster Conferences and video teleconferencing for Boards of Review.  The troop leadership is willing to engage with the scouts while maintaining the social distancing and two-deep leadership principles.  Don’t forget to complete or recharge your Cyber Chip to allow electronic communication.

To this end, Troop 48 has requested permission of CPHC to be able to offer some drop-in events during May to be able to review the “Demonstrate” and “Show” requirements for the Scout and Tenderfoot ranks.  (Talk to us about needs for Second and First Class also.)  The details can hopefully be shared at the end of April.  Until then, learn the skills at home using videos from various scouting websites, including Troop 48 FB page.

National BSA is advertising a campout (all night) in your backyard on Saturday, May 2^nd.  If you decide to participate, it will count as a camping night for advancement (but not for Order of Arrow qualification).   The scouts will need to send Mr. Hasler and Mrs. White photo proof your experience (maybe picture of you setting up the tent, and then inside view… in the morning).  We’ll collect the names for our troop records.

The Court of Honor and annual banquet have been cancelled for May with intention to move up the August event to allow our college-bound Eagle scouts to be recognized before their freshman orientations.

Philmont crew will learn more about their trek when the high adventure base communicates an update on Friday, May 1^st.

Wilderness Road Day Camp, which many of our Den Chiefs and other scouts assist, has been pushed to the end of the month, June 29^th thru July 3^rd.

Separate message has been sent by Scoutmaster Hasbrouck regarding the possibility of attending CDC Summer Camp June 14-20 and/or July 5-11.  Credit, including partial amount, can be earned to pay for summer camp expenses by selling 2020 Camp Cards currently through the end of June.

Finally, the entire troop would like to wish Mrs. White a big milestone Happy Birthday on May 6^th.