This is part of the crew that showed up Saturday morning to clean the Korean War Memorial.  Scouts and Scouters cleaned and scrubbed the walls, sidewalks, and hosed off the statues of the Memorial receiving thanks from a very grateful Park Ranger.  This cleaning was needed after the Memorial had endured three months of winter weather.  It really needed a scrub down!   What a great service project!  Thanks to all who participated.  The Park Ranger noted that many of these veterans -- now in their 70s or 80s -- come for what may be their only visit to see the memorial that was  created to honor their service to their country. Now, rather than seeing a memorial in need of care, they can see a freshly cleaned one that truly does honor their service.  Way to go Troop 1076!!!

The photo shows some of our Scouts kayaking on our recentSep.28th campout.  It was a bit wet Friday, but hey!  we're Scoutsand setup in the rain and slept great later.  We ate hot dogs during thedown pourand talked about whatever.  The next morning, younger Scoutsknocked offsome rank advancement requirements, Firem'n and Totin' --all taughtby the older Scouts. It is a boy led Troop and they do a great job.The Troopbroke camp, took a 5-mile hike, had lunch, and then went kayaking fora coupleof hours.  Canoeing was available, too, but everyone seemed towant tokayak!  After we kayaked across that area of the Potomac, we wentashore,explored an old washed up barged, and talked about Ospreys, Eagles,bluebirds,Great Blue Heron, Great Egrets, and others and the habitat they livein, and didsome observation -- all part of the ENVIRONMENTALSCIENCE MERITBADGE, anEagle required MB.  Outing in Scouting -- all within afew miles ofwherewe live in this very urban area!

Keepscrolling down to read about some other events of Troop1076.If you areinterested in joining Scouting, please click theJOINOURTROOP link and a Troop representative will get backwith you

We rounded the summer out with a camping tripto BullRunwith swimming and shot gun shooting.  Who knew some of theScoutswere actually pretty good shots!  Those clay pigeons will never bethesame!  Of course, safety is mandatory and those that needed it gotanexcellent safety course.  Safety first!  At thecampout,we also had a Dutch Oven dessert competition. Thetwo chocolate oneswere amazingly chocolate-rich, but my favorite was thebanana....keeping thatoutdoor cooking going!  Some of ourScouts didn’tfinish their shotgun requirements, so we’ll think about goingback again.

TheTroop also had a merit badge lock-in allowing some of theScouts to earn bothand Eagle Scout badge as well as some just for fun.After the merit badge workwas done, it was time to play some videogames, eat, drink, and be merry...maybesleep some, too....or not!

The Troop was invited to the Appalachian Bowhunters Assocation (ASA) annual Youth Day through a friend of Ms. Frodge's.   Some of the local Packs had Webelos that were invited and they were VERY glad they came!!! The Scouts and siblings were able to get some archery in with expert individual instruction from ABA members.  Other activities included: hurling spears using an ancient weapon called the atlatl, learning about the history of the development of the modern bow, eating bear and deer meat, learning how to track an animal in the woods, climbing trees using a tree climber device used by hunters, and touring one of the most interesting homes in Clifton, Virginia!  Best of all, the ABA does this all for free!  A good time was had by all who attended!

This Eagle project was tobuild a foot bridge on one of the paths across a creek in the AccotinkWildlife Refuge near Ft. Belvoir.  Even before the bridge walkwaywas nailed down, people were walking across it thanking the Scouts for buildingit.  The Troop really worked hard, worked well together, and builta great and sturdy bridge in one afternoon.  Way to go Troop andcongratulations, Doyle!