Hello Troop 33 Families!

With our first month of the 2026 Scouting year under our belt, the Scoutmaster and Patrol Leader Committee (PLC) teams wanted to provide a consolidated email regarding major activity dates through this summer!  The PLC has chosen camping activities for the remainder of the year that mix in hiking, fishing and whitewater rafting, amongst other fun outdoor activities!

We wanted to share the information we have with you.  In addition to the monthly trips, these notable dates will be updated on the Scouting calendar in Scoutbook and on the Troop website in the coming days. 

We understand your Scout is involved in sports, school clubs and academics as well as Scouting.  We’re trying to give as much advance notice so your Scout has the opportunity to attend as many of these dates as possible.  For the newer parents/Scouts, many of the weekend trips are ‘local’.  Don’t miss an entire weekend of camping for a single game or evening event.  If your Scout has a game or activity, say, on Saturday, it’s ok for your Scout to leave to attend that game, then come back and finish out the camping weekend.  Of course, being there for the whole weekend of outdoor fun is the best scenario, however ‘Some camping is better than no camping’.  These camping trips, in addition to the fun and memories they provide, are opportunities to complete rank and merit badge requirements.  Camping, hiking, cooking, orienteering, and wilderness survival are just a few examples of merit badges the camping programs provide.

We also welcome parents to join us on any of the trips your schedule allows. There is no limit to the number of you that can join us.  While this is a "scout-led troop," we still very much rely on parent support to allow us to do a number of the fun activities. Without parental support, these trips are not possible.  This past year we’ve had a few new faces join us, and we’ve heard they had just as much fun as the boys, if not more.  Unplugging and being out in nature is a refreshing break from our regular schedules. If you are going to join us, we just ask that you take 45 minutes or so to complete Youth Protection Training (YPT, link here: https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/) if you have not already done so.  The certification is good for 2 years from the completion date.   

Below are major dates from February to September 2026.  These dates are those you and your Scout will want to lock in on your calendars.  Each date has a brief description of the event and some of the activities the PLC has planned for those dates.  As we’ve done in the past, there will be emails sent closer to the events with additional details, RSVP requests, etc.  During the summer, typically during Rodney week, the PLC will plan out the remainder of the year's activities, and a separate “Read and Retain” email will be provided, along with Scoutbook/website updates.

 2026 Troop 33 Scout Major Dates:

Feb 7 - Merit Badge College – University of Maryland Eastern Shore – Weekend 1

An alternative date/location to the Elkton Merit Badge College, but still within the Del-Mar-Va Council, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) provides classroom-based opportunity to help Scouts earn their merit badges.  The same quality programs, top-notch instructors, and smiling staff make this a great second source for those seeking the benefits of a Merit Badge College.  The Merit Badge College is an opportunity to learn from subject matter experts in career or lifelong hobby subjects. We seek out experts in areas that may be difficult for you to find such as Electronics or Archeology. This is the first session of 2, and Scouts must attend both sessions to complete the selected Merit Badges.  While not required, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain merit badges and we wanted to be sure you marked your calendars for this date.  Website for additional details and registration:

Del-Mar-Va Council - UMES Merit Badge College

Feb 8 – National Scout Sunday – IHM Church and Alapocas Woods

A Scout is Reverent.  The 12th point of the Scout Law, Scout Sunday is nationally recognized as the day of observance of the importance of God in a Scout’s life.  Parents/Guardians are welcome, and all religions are welcome to attend.  We will meet at IHM Church at 8:30AM ahead of the 9:00AM Mass.  Scouts will serve as greeters and present the gifts during mass.  Wear FULL Class A uniforms, including sashes.

Later that day, we will leading a Troop Hike along with our friends from Cub Scout Pack 33 at Alapocas – a nice, leisurely Sunday stroll.  The plan is to meet at the Blue Ball Barn parking lot at 1:00PM and hike down towards the Brandywine River, returning in plenty of time for Super Bowl viewing.

Feb 20-22 – Hawk Mountain

Another "blast from the past" camping trip that scouts have loved, but we have not done in a couple of years.  The Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation is a 700-acre tract of land northwest of Reading, PA that offers a number of amenities of a traditional scout reservation, while providing scouts with the ability to hike various trails in/around the beautiful Hawk Mountain Raptor Sanctuary.  Cabin camping with a nice firepit makes this cold-weather camping experience enjoyable!

Mar 7 – Merit Badge College – Elkton MD HS – Weekend 2

This is the second session of 2 for the Elkton Merit Badge College, and Scouts must attend both sessions to complete the selected Merit Badges.  While not required, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain merit badges and we wanted to be sure you marked your calendars for this date.  Details will be provided as they are firmed up closer to the end of this calendar year.

Mar 13-15 – Trap Pond State Park

After returning to Trap Pond last year after a couple of years away, the Scouts had such a great time, they wanted to return again this year.  Our camp site right on the pond’s edge, next to a pier, allowed for some excellent fishing.  Hiking and cooking opportunities will be plentiful, in between casts of the fishing lines, with canoeing a potential option, as well (timing dependent). 

Mar 21 – Merit Badge College – UMES – Weekend 2

This is the second session of 2 for the UMES Merit Badge College, and Scouts must attend both sessions to complete the selected Merit Badges.  While not required, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain merit badges and we wanted to be sure you marked your calendars for this date.  Details will be provided as they are firmed up closer to the end of this calendar year.

Apr 6 – Spring Break/Easter Monday – No Scout Meeting

Apr 17-19 – Order of the Arrow, Spring Weekend, Henson Scout Reservation

Excellent weekend of service and camaraderie with the Order of the Arrow, Nentego Lodge scouts and scouters.  Complete the Ordeal, seal your Brotherhood, or simply enjoy the time outdoors giving back to scouts.

Apr 24-26 – Camping @ Del-Mar-Va Council Jamboree

Hosted by our Scout Council at the Akridge Scout Reservation in Dover, DE, scouting troops from across the region will come together for “A Declaration of Adventure,” to celebrate all things American from 1776 until now during the semi-quincentennial of our great nation.  Activities include: Historical Games, Period Reenactments, BB, Archery Climbing Wall, Cooking, Fishing, Scout Skills Challenges, Crafts, Technology Demos, and much, MUCH more!

May 15-17 – Jim Thorpe, White Water Rafting

Our last weekend camping trip before Rodney, we are heading to Jim Thorpe for a white-water rafting trip down the Lehigh River!  We’ll camp at Hickory Run State Park during the weekend, and head over for rafting on Saturday!  The rafting is exciting, while still accommodating to Scouts (and adults) of all ages.  An excellent “Mother’s Day” adventure for all of the Mama-scouters!

Jun 5-7 – Order of the Arrow, Summer Weekend, Rodney Scout Reservation

Excellent weekend of service and camaraderie with the Order of the Arrow, Nentego Lodge scouts and scouters.  Complete the Ordeal, seal your Brotherhood, or simply enjoy the time outdoors giving back to scouts.

Jun 8 – Court of Honor

Also, our last official meeting night of the summer

Jun 21-27 – Rodney Scout Reservation!!

Our weeklong summer camp on the Chesapeake!  Merit badge activities, camping, fun and games throughout the week!  Lots of information regarding merit badge registrations and planning will come in the weeks leading up to Rodney!

Aug 23 - Charter Organization Day of Service – IHM

As a Troop we’re required to complete a service project to benefit our Charter Organization.  This year, we’ll return to IHM to clean up around the school exterior, getting it ready for the students’ September return, as well as any additional items the Parish would like us to complete for them.  We’ll also be re-organizing the Scout closet, cleaning the closet, getting rid of those items no longer serviceable, cleaning items we are keeping, cataloging what we have and what we need for equipment.  The more Scouts and adults we have, the quicker and more effective we’ll be for the day.

Aug 31 – Scout Meeting – IHM

The kickoff of the weekly scout meeting, the PLC has planned activities for the entire troop, to reconnect everyone with the Scouting mindset.  There will also be an opportunity to complete sign-offs or conduct any needed Scoutmaster conferences/Boards of Review for rank advancement prior to the Court of Honor. 

Sep 18-20 – Brandywine Creek State Park

Our first camping trip of the year, BCSP is back on the calendar! We’ll be at one of Delaware’s State Parks in our own backyard.  The PLC will have a load of fun on the schedule for the weekend.  Parents new(er) to camping?  This is a great local trip to join and get involved with the troop.  Know a youth who might be interested in joining the troop?  Invite them to come for the day as your guest and they’ll get to see what Troop 33 and Scouting are all about.

 * PLC= SPL, ASPL, PLs and Scribe, and OA Troop Representative

* all trips pending reservation and date availability

Yours In Scouting (YIS),

The Scoutmaster Team