SWIMMING MERIT BADGE

 Troop 2000 has scheduled a Swimming Merit Badge workshop at Diventures, North Liberty for March 28 from 2:00-4:30pm.  This will be a day of completing requirements and not a day of instruction. Scouts are encouraged to practice requirements ahead of time, prerequisite to participate will be completion of BSA Swim Test within the past 12 months. The workshop will be capped at a maximum of 12 Scouts (space and social distancing restrictions) and cost will be $5 payable directly to Diventures. If interested in participating, complete this survey by Friday, March 5....survey includes options for indicating date to work on written portion, or to indicate you already have the written portion done.

Swim Checks, March 6

 T2000 has secured the following date/time/location for swim checks: Saturday, March 6 from 2-4:30pm at Diventures (1895 W Penn St, North Liberty). Any Scouts or adults planning to do any of the following activities should have a valid swim check completed. (Valid swim checks are from within the last 12 months - T2000 last did swim checks at the June 2020.)

March 26-28 Modified Lock-in and Merit Badge Clean-Up

 Troop 2000 has the opportunity to have a modified lock-in and will combine it with a merit badge clean-up event at Mid-Prairie HSEC, 1592 Angle Road SW, Kalona, IA. This event will be a hybrid offering, some items on-line and some items in person.

APO MBU 3/13/2021 (virtual)

 

If you're interested in attending the virtual MBU being put on by the University of Iowa Alpha Phi Omega chapter, please check this out.

Astronomy Virtual Campout

The February Campout (virtually done in your own yard, campout outdoors counts towards rank/badge requirements... camping indoors does not) from February 19-February 21, 2021.   One focus is for scouts to earn the Astronomy Merit Badge.  

First Aid Merit Badge - 1/31/21

Due to current COVID restrictions, this merit badge opportunity will be rescheduled to a future date.

Troop 2000 has the opportunity for a private workshop for the First Aid Merit Badge on January 31 from 9am to 4pm at Pathfinder Outdoor Education Center in Cedar Rapids. This merit badge is foundational for many early rank advancement requirements and other merit badges - it is highly suggested that any Scout that does not already have this badge to seriously consider this opportunity.  The workshop day will cover all requirements for the badge.  

Scouts should plan on packing and bringing along their lunch and of course a refillable water bottle. Face masks will be required, in addition Pathfinder will implement extensive COVID precautions for screening, hygiene, PPE, distancing, and compliance that Scouts and adults will be required to follow. Family-by-family carpooling is an option, but the Troop will not be coordinating it. Adult two-deep leadership will be needed. Cost is $5 per Scout, adults no cost. Sign up closes January 17: https://forms.gle/ReeUuPeuikwrrJ716

Cardboard Campout 2020 - Now Virtual

 

Our annual Cardboard Campout has shifted to a virtual campout on December 4-6. Craft your sleeping shelter made out of cardboard (we’re working to get cardboard provided, and if so, would arrange for contact-free pick-up), or sleep indoors. The choice is yours, but a night spent outside counts as a night of camping for Order of the Arrow, rank, and Camping Merit Badge purposes. A night spent indoors does not count for any of those. Join in Zoom sessions to discuss strategies for warmth in a cardboard structure, participate in an outdoor activity on your own (hike, build a fire, sledding, build a snowman, etc), and work on cooking rank or merit badge requirements. 

Any previous sign-ups for this event are removed and the sign-up form is edited to reflect the virtual campout. If you need cardboard, sign-up early as supplies could be limited. Deadline to register is November 28. https://forms.gle/wWfJrs8xz755wt6S6

November 13-15 Campout at Cedar Valley Park

Our next social distanced campout will be November 13-15 at Cedar Valley Park, West Branch, Iowa. This campout will include 5 and 10 mile hikes on the Hoover Trail, conservation service opportunity, and a Leave No Trace program with Cathy Harney and our Troop Outdoor Ethics Guide. The Leave No Trace principles help minimize impact on the land by teaching Scouts’ outdoor ethics decision-making skills. Cost for the weekend is $30 for scouts and $10 for adults. Deadline to register is November 7.

Where: Cedar Valley Park, Shelter #2, 199 Park Road, West Branch, Iowa

Activities:  5 and 10 mile hikes on Hoover Trail (those doing Hiking MB should submit written hike plan to Trent ahead of time), conservation service opportunity (picking up trash and branches), and Leave No Trace program

When:   November 13th-15th. Drop off at Cedar Valley Park between 5-6pm.  Eat dinner before you come, snacks available for Friday evening.

What to bring:  Be sure to bring two face masks (in case 1st gets wet/dirty), a large water bottle, reusable cup if you want warm drinks, gear for cold weather, plenty of dry clothes,  board games, cold weather camping gear.  Please see our camping section for what to bring on a cold weather campout.

COVID precautions: Scouts must occupy a tent on their own, or with someone from their household. Masks must be worn when 6’ social distancing is not possible. Hand sanitizer will be available and usage highly recommended. The Council has loosened the carpooling rules. If families work our arrangements with each other, Scouts can ride in a vehicle outside of their own as long as masks are worn. The troop won't be brokering rides. So, please work this out ahead of time as not everyone is comfortable with this yet.

Cost: $30 per Scout, $10 per adult.  Includes snacks, 3 meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday.

What we need:  Adult volunteers. 

Deadline:  Must be registered by November 7.  No refunds after the deadline.

Registration:  To register, click on the following link: https://forms.gle/7x436pMaqo8rtDm57

Scout Swim Day - 11/29

Due to current COVID restrictions, this opportunity is canceled. We may be able to reschedule it for a future date.

Troop 2000 will host an upcoming Scout Swim Day on Sunday, November 29 from 1:30-4:30pm at Diventures in North Liberty. Scouts that need to work on swimming or water rescue requirements for rank advancement (Second Class 5b-c, First Class 6a, 6e), work on Swimming Merit Badge, or that want to update their Swimmer Test can sign up here. For social distancing precautions we're limited to a capacity of 12 swimmers for this event - if sign-up exceeds 12, we will group swimmers into time blocks of 1:30-3pm or 3-4:30pm. Cost is $5 per Scout swimming and sign up closes November 23.

October 16-18, Belgum Grove Campout

Update - Belgum Grove Camp Out pushed back one week!

Take 2 at an attempt for a social distanced camp out will be the weekend of October 16-18 October 23-25 at Belgum Grove (Bur Oak Land Trust). The main activities will be hiking, seed collection conservation opportunity, and a surprise activity on Saturday. Cost for the weekend is $30 for scouts and $10 for adults. Deadline to register is October 11 October 19th. 

READ MORE: 

Where: Belgum Grove (Bur Oak Land Trust), 3261 500th Street SW(F62), Iowa City, IA 52240 

Activities: Hiking, seed collection conservation opportunity, and a surprise activity on Saturday. 

When: October 23th - 25th. Drop off at Belgum Grove between 5-6pm on Friday. Eat dinner before you come, snacks available for Friday evening. 

What to bring: Be sure to bring face mask, a large water bottle, reusable cup if you want warm drinks, gear for cold weather, plenty of dry clothes, board games, cold weather camping gear. Please see our camping section for what to bring on a cold weather campout. 

COVID precautions: Scouts must occupy a tent on their own, or with someone from their household. Masks must be worn when 6’ social distancing is not possible. Hand sanitizer will be available and usage highly recommended. Council is not allowing carpooling at this time, Scouts will need to be dropped off/picked up from Belgum Grove. 

Cost: $30 per Scout, $10 per adult. Includes snacks, 3 meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. 

What we need: Adult volunteers. 

Deadline: Must be registered by October 19. No refunds after the deadline. 

Registration: To register, click on the following link https://forms.gle/dZAD6W4Dzx9E7fd37

Horsemanship MB - Oct 10th

 

Troop 2000 has an opportunity to do the Horsemanship merit badge from 1-4pm on October 10th. This will be a busy day since we're collecting bags for Scouting for Food that morning. Carpooling is still not allowed, so families will have to provide their own transportation. It is about an hour away at this address: 1875 325th Street, Brighton, Iowa. It will be in an indoor pavilion. So, masks will be required when distancing is not possible. The cost is $10 per scout. Scouts must register by 10/7.

Click here to register

Wilderness Survival Virtual Campout (September 18-20)

Are you ready for a challenge? Think you can complete a merit badge in a 24 hour period? Let’s put it to the test….  Listed as one of the badges for social distancing that could be completed at home, Wilderness Survival Merit Badge will challenge a Scout of any age on survival skills and time management. Join Troop 2000 for a virtual campout in your backyard where you can do any or all of the following (participate in as much or as little as you like): earn Wilderness Survival Merit Badge, work on early rank requirements, work on outdoor cooking for rank requirements or Cooking Merit Badge, and/or Camping Merit Badge requirements.  Coordinated Zoom sessions will be planned for early rank requirements (September 18) and Wilderness Survival Merit Badge (September 19 & 20) - those wishing to work on Cooking MB or Camping MB should connect to a MBC on their own. Share pictures of your adventures to the T2K Facebook page!

Sign-up closes September 12: https://forms.gle/NxkoLDEoVx4x69yF6

September 18 (Friday)

5:30pm Zoom meeting, opening Zoom session

6:00pm Cook dinner outside, if desired

7:00pm Early rank Zoom session first aid (Tenderfoot 4a-b & Second Class 6a-d)

Need 2 Star Scouts that needs req 6 to EDGE teach & 2 deep adult leadership

Sleep outdoors in a shelter of your choice

September 19 (Saturday)

8:00am Cook breakfast outside, if desired

9:00am Early rank Zoom session knot tying (Tenderfoot 3a-c)

Need a Scout plus 2 deep adult leadership to EDGE teach

10:00am Zoom meeting, Wilderness Survival MB req 1-4

11:30am Cook lunch outside, if desired

12:30pm Build outdoor shelter for Wilderness Survival MB req 8. During this time, work on and send photos/videos of requirements 5 & 6

3:30pm Zoom meeting, Wilderness Survival MB req 7, 9 -12

6:00pm Cook dinner outside, if desired

7:00pm Zoom session to show structures built for Wilderness MB req. 8. 

Sleep all night in the structure to fulfill requirement

September 20 (Sunday)

8:00am Cook breakfast, if desired

9:00am Interfaith service.  All who built structures should join - and check in with MBC to verify they slept all night in their structure.

Lake Macbride Camp Out

Troop 2000's first attempt at a socially distanced camp out will be the weekend of August 14th. The main activities will be working on Early Rank Advancement, First Aid merit badge, Service Projects, Canoeing and general FUN! Cost for the weekend is $35.

June 26-28 - Hybrid event

Camp@home along with activities together in person (socially distanced). Families would need to bring scouts, carpooling currently not authorized by Hawkeye Area Council.

June 26 - Friday

• 6:30pm - Opening gathering Zoom session for flag ceremony, Scout Oath/Law, etc
• 7:00pm - Bike ride

June 27 - Saturday

• 9:00am 
• Hike @ Kent Park
• or
• Fishing @ Kent Park
• 12:00pm - pack own lunches, eat socially distanced from each other
• 12:30 - Corn hole bracket tournament @ Kent Park. Hand sanitize between each game, wear masks.
• 2:30-5pm - Swimming @ Kent Park lake 
• 5:30pm - pack own dinners, eat socially distanced from each other
• 6:00 - Canoeing @ Kent Park
• 8:00pm - Campfire program @ Kent Park
• 8:15pm - Campfire program ends, end evening

June 28 - Sunday

• 10:30am - Service Project

Given the following rough schedule, please use sign up to indicate which items you plan to participate in. SIGN UP CLOSES Sunday, June 21.

To sign up please click the following link: https://forms.gle/Pd8ZVbiaZpUqBFYM7

June 2020 Camp Event Survey

As discussed at the last meeting, we're trying to gauge interest in various options for a camp event June 26-28. Please complete the brief survey linked below before Sunday June 14.
https://forms.gle/jLWHuFp23HwqWrF48

Troop 2000 Camp @ Home May 22-24

May 22-24

May Camp@Home

Calling all Scouts from T2000 for another organized Camp@Home event! This event will feature a film screening for Endangered Species Day on May 22, a missing persons (persons = lego guys) exercise to do on a social distanced hike, potential for a group gaming event, and the ability for merit badge and/or rank requirement work.

We’re organizing a virtual campout in our own backyards on May 22-24*! We’re asking each Scout family to join in the fun….

Here are the considerations: 

• Pitch a tent in the yard / hang up a hammock outside / build a den (blanket fort) in your home, if no yard is available....whatever you can do - build some sort of shelter
• Sleep in your shelter of choice overnight (note, to count as a night of camping for rank MB - outdoor camping will be required)
• Take part in any or all “Scouting activity”
• Help with cooking a meal (ideally outside) - if cooking for family, right now this can count toward rank or Camping merit badge or Cooking merit badge. Check requirements first and talk to an adult leader

MOST IMPORTANTLY….. Share photo/video to T2K Facebook page of your experience so others in the Troop can see the coordinated event!

Deadline to sign-up: May 16 (full schedule will be emailed out to participants once sign-up closes)

* In case of weather impacting date, we’ll select another date 

Troop 2000 Campout At Home

April 18, 5:30pm to 9:30am

Calling all Scouts from T2000 for an organized Camp at Home event! COVID-19 may have changed the way we do things right now, but it won’t stop Scouts from camping!

We’re organizing a virtual campout in our own backyards on April 18th! We’re asking each Scout family to join in the fun.

Here are the considerations: 

• Pack a bag
• Pitch a tent in the yard / hang up a hammock outside / build a den (blanket fort) in your home, if no yard is available....whatever you can do - build some sort of shelter
• Sleep in your shelter of choice overnight (note, to count as a night of camping for rank, OA, or MB - outdoor camping will be required)
• Build a campfire (real, virtual, or edible)
• Take part in a “Scouting activity” - we are considering hosting virtual Zoom flag ceremonies, Scout Oath/Law, group gaming, etc.
• We can connect you with an adult leader to work on rank requirements or Cooking and/or Camping merit badge requirements 
• Help with cooking a meal (ideally outside)

MOST IMPORTANTLY….. Share a photo/video to Troop 2000 Facebook page of your experience so others in the Troop can see the coordinated event!

* In case of weather impacting date, we’ll select another date* 

Online Resources

Face to face troop meetings have been suspended until further notice. 

But, just because we're practicing social distancing, it doesn't mean that scouts can't continue working on advancement and improving their skills.

Campcraft Skill Videos - Use these to study up on camping skills for early rank advancement.

Merit Badge Videos - These videos will allow you to prep for many MB requirements. You'll still need to review with a MB counselor. Also on this site is some info on Tenderfoot to First Class.

Outdoor Skills Videos - Several videos with good skills for scouts to know.

Central Florida Council - This online event is for any scout in the nation that wants to participate. They'll have different merit badges each week with some meeting multiple days. You'll want to keep an eye on it as newly posted classes fill up fast. Also, when you do sign up, you'll need to get Scoutmaster approval in advance of actually taking the class. Forward those to Trent.

Piedmont Council - They have several classes online you can sign up for. Several have no pre-requisites. I'm sure these will fill up too.

Lincoln Pilgrimage - Last spring, the troop went to the 74th annual Lincoln Pilgrimage in Springfield, Illinois. It was interesting to learn about Lincoln and participate in the big ceremony and parade. Well, there won't be a parade this year, but they put as much of it as they can online. I encourage scouts to check it out (virtual museum tours, scavenger hunt, etc).

Scoutmaster Bucky - I don't know much about this one. So, if anyone checks it out, be sure to let me know what you think. But, it does look like they have a lot of merit badges out there.

Palmetto Council

Michigan Crossroads Council

Spirit of Adventure Council

Chickasaw Council - You have to scroll down a little to get to the MB offerings.

Hawk Mountain Council

Narragansett Council

Great Rivers Council

National Capital Area Council

Suffolk County Council

Heart of America Council - This one has videos and workbooks to be completed, then you'll need to connect with a local MBC to complete the badge.

Blue Ridge Council

Lake Erie Council

Overland Trails Council

Alamo Area Council

Garden State Council


We've done a few things at the troop level using ZOOM to cover specific requirements and are looking for more ideas.

Let me know if you run across other resources -- Trent

Summer Camp 2020

Registration is open for summer camp. Troop 2000 will be attending Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation the week of June 21 - June 27. The base cost is $285 if you sign up by 4/29. Base increases to $310 until 5/14. After that it is $330. You will have to have enough funds in your Scoutbucks account in advance of the troop registering you. Checks can be sent to our treasurer if there isn't enough there (more info on registration form).

If summer camp does not happen because of the virus, full refunds will be issued.

Boundary Waters Canoe Trip 2020

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is one of the most pristine, peaceful and beautiful places in the USA; it’s truly special.  This trip is being led by Trevor Burke and Matthew Croco, who both have experience in the BWCAW. 

Dates have been finalized and two permits secured. Each permit allows 9 campers and no more 4 canoes. At this time we are asking for commitment to the trip with a $50 deposit. Sign-up closes 3/21.