Troop 138's
PUBLIC SITE
Home Page


 
Boy Scout Troop 138
(Triangle, Virginia)
 
ScoutLander Contact Our Troop Member Login
http://troop138stfrancistriangle.ScoutLander.com

  
 

Welcome to Troop 138!


   

Boy Scout Troop 138 is proudly chartered by St. Francis of Assisi church since late 2015. St Francis had been seeking the formation of a Boy Scout Troop for many years and is pleased to support a great bunch of boys.  Check out our upcoming outings and service project activities below!  If you are interested in joining us, please contact our Committee Chair, Mrs. Chanel Marquis, by using the "Contact Our Troop" link on the top menu bar, for more information about the Troop program, meeting times, membership application, etc.


YES, we are still doing Scouting during COVID!  

We are not meeting for regular Wednesday night Troop meetings due to no meeting space availability, as all space at the church is dedicated to the school's COVID mitigation plan that permits them thus far to keep the school open.  We are however having outdoor outings and we have commitments from 16 boys to continue their 2021 membership.  Though cancelled in 2020, we are locked in for summer camp and High Adventure at Camp Olmsted and the Lenhok'sin High Adventure Center on the Camp Goshen Reservation for 27 June to 3 July 2021.  

In September we went swimming at the Beach in Virginia Beach.  In October we went whitewater rafting on the Potomac River in Harpers Ferry.  In November we went on a 17 mile bike ride on the C&O canal towpath and climbed to the top of Maryland Heights overlooking Harpers Ferry.  In December we have tentative plans (all COVID dependent) to hike a mountain trail in the vicinity of Old Rag Mountain early in the month before the holidays kick in.  Unfortunately, our traditional Troop Lock-in in January right after New Years will not happen this year.  We hope to still go on a ski trip in February if COVID conditions permit the ski resorts to operate and the Troop youth leadership continue to discuss future plans for the spring with COVID in mind.  Due to individual COVID circumstances, adult volunteer availability has not permitted us to camp overnight yet, so all outings have been day trips only thus far.  Please contact us for the latest update on outing plans if your youth would like to join us on an outing in order to get to know the unit.   


Boy Scout Safety


Troop 138's safety mission is to ensure every boy is safe at all times using "sweet sixteen", with application of informed mature adult supervision and sound risk management per BSA Guide to Safe Scouting (attached) and BSA policy. To that end, one of our trained leaders is Wilderness First Aid certified (with AED/CPR) and another Scout Master is Paddle Craft safety certified. Scout Masters and other adults have also completed other BSA safety related training such as Safety Afloat.

Last, but not least, is to install (via the Boy-led Patrol method) a culture of safety amongst the boys where they instinctively follow the Scout Law, Scout Oath and Scout Motto at all times.  This, a culture that will accompany him into manhood, preparing him for foreseen and unforeseen hazards part and parcel with life.


Attachments
Icon File Name Comment  
A Guide to Safe Scouting 2017.pdf  
SOAP2015.doc  
SOAP2015.pdf  

BSA Bankruptcy and Scouting At St. Francis


Dear Scout Families,

By now you have probably heard about the national organization of the Boy Scouts of America filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the reasons behind the decision. I would like to take a moment to provide you with some additional information. As you most certainly have questions as to how this will impact the two units (Pack 1385 and Troop 138) at St. Francis. I want you to know the following:

• The scouting programs for both the Cub Scout Pack and the Boy Scout Troop at St. Francis of Assisi Parish will continue.

• All District and Council meetings, activities, events, and service projects will take place as usual

• The bankruptcy (Chapter 11 reorganization) does NOT affect our Pack or Troop

• The bankruptcy is at a National level in order to restructure and create a Trust to handle litigation, compensation, counseling, etc. for allegations that took place more than 30 years ago. It is NOT theresult of a rash of present-day abuse.

• Our Local Council, known as the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) is legally separate, distinct, and financially independent from the National Organization.

• Our Local Council (NCAC) has NOT filed for bankruptcy protection and we are not a part of the National restructuring that National will be going through.

• Scouting is safer than ever before. BSA has been on the forefront of advocacy of youth protection policies for its members and leaders more stringently than nearly any other youth organization in the country.

• Here at St. Francis, there is an additional level of protection required of all volunteers – above and beyond those required by BSA – who have substantial contact with youth. All volunteers must be Compliant. There are three components to being Compliant:
o VIRTUS – A four hour or less live training session on child sexual abuse
o Background Check – This is an extensive bilateral (both federal and state) background check.
o Cleared – Meaning one must be cleared of the background check before having substantial contact with youth here at St. Francis.

Background Check renewals are also conducted on a regular basis. There is also continuous video surveillance on the church and school campus.

It is my job as Compliance Office for the Parish and the Charter Organization Representative for our BSA Scouting programs to see to it that these policies (for any type of abuse – NOT just child sexual  abuse) are enforced.


Scouting has been a very positive program for our youth within St. Francis mission of developing Christian values among our youth in their mission of spreading God’s love and service to our fellow man and we pray for it to continue to grow here. Despite the news, the reputation and future growth of the Scouting program at St. Francis depends more on word of mouth from you, its members, than from the media. In addition to know that your children are protected in the BSA Scouting program, I wanted to inform you through this letter and give you greater confidence in being able to justify your decision to continue to participate in the program as well as advocate other members of the parish to participate in the program despite the media distortions.


YIS,

Chanel Marquis
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Compliance Officer (Child/Adult Protection)
Chartered Organization Representative, Cub Scout Pack 1385 & Boy Scout Troop 138

Catholic Church on Homosexual Scout Leaders


In July of 2015, National BSA headquarters and related BSA governing bodies have resolved to allow Homosexual Leaders in the Boy Scout program.  The ruling, however, allows and supports religious organizations that charter Scout units to establish their own membership policies with regard to this issue so as not to violate their religious beliefs.  ALL Catholic sponsored Scout units in the Diocese of Arlington - as directed by the Bishop - must have their direct contact leaders (leaders who are in direct contact with youth) agree in writing that they will comply with Catholic Canon Law with respect to homosexuality and the Scout program.  As a general rule, all matters of sexuality - of any variety - are considered by Troop 138 to be personal and sacramental family matters which are not appropriate to be discussed or displayed in the Scouting venue - without exception.  

St. Francis Position on Changes to BSA Membership


From the Pastor's Desk:

On May 23, 2013 the National Council of Boy Scouts of America’s approved a resolution stating that “No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”   In light of this decision by the Boy Scouts to end their ban on openly gay youth from participating in its activities some people in the parish have asked me if this decision by the Scouts will affect our sponsorship of the Girl and Boy Scout Troops we have in the parish.  My answer is absolutely not!!  

To my way of thinking why should this decision affect our support of scouting?  The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes it very clear in paragraph 2358 that “the number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.”  In my opinion we would be discriminating if we did not allow young people who are homosexual to be a Scout and that would be wrong according to our Catholic Catechism.

Bishop Robert Guglielmone of Charleston, the episcopal liaison of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, responding to The Boy Scouts of America’s approved resolution gave this statement: “I kind of expected that this is the way the vote would go.  I’m not particularly encouraged by it, but I knew it would happen eventually. As the policy change is right now promoted, we can live with it. Unfortunately, there are many people who are interpreting this policy to go much further than it actually does, particularly in the secular press.  Church teaching is very clear that the homosexual inclination is not sinful and that same-sex attraction is not immoral.  But that what we’re dealing with here is the distinction between the inclination and the conduct. The standards remain the same as they always have for Scouts. Homosexual activity will not be condoned.”

When I was young (a long time ago) I was a boy scout and it had a positive effect on my life.  It provided me with great values, an appreciation for this great country we live in, and a love for the outdoors and camping.  I would hate to see any young person being denied what scouting has to offer just because of their sexual orientation which they have no control over.  To discriminate is wrong and it will not be tolerated here at St. Francis.



Fr. Kevin Downey