The Cape Fear Council is excited to offer another dynamic virtual program filled with 18 different merit badges including 7 Eagle-required badges on April 10-14. Merit badge class sizes will have caps and registrations are first come first served. Virtual Merit Badge College will offer a morning session and an afternoon session, which will cost $20. We will use a Zoom platform to conduct our virtual merit badge sessions. Classes will have attendee limits based on the content taught. There may be requirements that we cannot complete virtually and could be assigned outside of the classroom. Scouts need to get Scoutmaster permission and sign up is in the troop email.
Scouts will join weed warriors and remove invasive vines and non-native plants. Bring gloves or clippers or use ours. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes, and bring water to drink. Scouts will receive MCPS SSL hours and Troop 773 service hours by attending this event. These Scout hours may be used as conservation service for Camping Merit Badge, Scouts BSA World Conservation award, or Life Scout Rank advancement service hours. Every Scout must have their Parent/Guardian sign the Volunteer Sign-in sheet and bring it to the park. Please also print and get the SSL form for the Supervisor to sign. Parents who volunteer at this event need to sign the agreement as well. It is on March 26 from 1-4 pm. Address and sign up in the troop email.
They need help with filling bags with food items. Scouts need to have their own transportation. You may come for part or all of the time. If you desire SSL hours please bring an SSL form and have it signed on-site. It is on March 19 from 8-10 am. Scouts should wear their Class A uniform—sign-up, and address in the troop email.
We will be bowling in Bethesda instead of the troop meeting from 7-9 pm, sign up is $30 and includes 2 hours of bowling, shoe rentals, a $7.00 arcade card (14 credits), a $5.00 gift certificate for each Scout, dinner (wings, cheese pizza, and fries) and unlimited soft drinks. Sign-up is in the troop email.
The April 18 and April 25 troop meetings will be dedicated to the Golf Merit Badge, and we will be going to a golf course to complete the merit badge on April 29.
We will be learning some First Aid skills at the troop meeting on March 28, so make sure you can attend.
Scouts will have a guided tour of the Naval Surface Warefare Center on March 23 from 4-5 pm after school. We will meet at the Visitor Center just outside the Base entrance. We are limited in the number of attendees based on Base approved chaperones.
The spaghetti dinner will be held on March 25th from 5-8 pm. It is an All You Can Eat event, and will have spaghetti(beef and vegan), sauce, salad, garlic bread, desserts, and an assortment of drinks. It is the only troop fundraiser of the year. There might be a silent auction and a DJ. $20 per person, 5 and under eat free. If you are interested in donating to this event, click here.
Our Winter backpacking trip will be from Saturday, March 4th to Sunday, March 5th. We will meet at the shed at 8:30 am on Saturday and return on Sunday afternoon. Bring a bag lunch with a beverage for Saturday. This will be a dry campout. Scouts and parents should carry at least 3 liters of water. Sturdy hiking boots are required. We will stop for a fast food lunch on our way back. Bring small bills to pay the cooks ($20) and buy lunch ($10) on Sunday. The younger Scouts will hike 3 miles to the campsite and 3 miles out. Older scouts will hike 4 miles in and 3 miles out. Prepare for a low of 10 degrees.
The annual Troop 773 Lock-In is on February 11 at 8:00 PM. There will be pizza, snacks, games, and other fun activities. Bring a sleeping bag and pad. If your Scout plans to attend Scout Sunday they need to bring their Class A uniform to wear during the Sunday Church Service (10:00 AM).
