Troop 799 is now on Facebook!  If you are not a member of Facebook, it is a great way to connect/reconnect with friends and family, as well, as, keep up with troop events, share photos, comments, etc. 

To join the Troop 799 Facebook page, go to: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=110709045635262&ref=ts and request membership to the group (the group is private and for Troop 799 mombers only!).

See photos of troop members supporting William's Eagle Project to build a new kindergarten fence at the Richmond Waldorf School.  A job well done by teamwork!

Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the BSA.

To increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America is implementing several important changes to further enhance its Youth Protection policies:

Effective June 1, 2010 :

- Youth Protection Training is required for all registered volunteers.

- New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training before they submit their application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.

- Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer's Youth Protection Training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.

On May 15th, eighteen Scouts and 6 Adults set out from Trinity Church at 8:00 AM to go to the George Washington National Forest. After we arrivedand everyone was accounted for, we split into two Hiking Groups ( a faster and a slower group ) At the start of the hike was a brutal 2 mile uphill climb but then it came to a ridgeline where it was smooth sailing from then on. We hiked for about 2 miles to reach Big Schloss where we stoped for lunch just before our short hike to the summit. At the Top we had a beautiful 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside!! Once we all stopped gasping, we began the 3 mile hike to our Campsite at Sandstone Spring. Aside from being a little wet the campsite was very nice and spacious. The reason it was so wet is that the entire area is a natural spring that was at the entrance to the campsite area. Dinner was delicious, consisting of mainly freeze-dried Backpacking meals!! The next morning we set out early with only a very light rain. The Hike back past Big Schloss and down the Mountain was enjoyable. Everyone had a great time and this was another great (S) Outing!! Thank You All !!

 A Mountaintop Experience!!  by Bennett Haynes, Troop 799 Historian

With the clouds threatening a downpour, twelve trusty Scouts and four loyal leaders set out to hike Old Rag Mountain in the Shenandoah National Park. The hike has an elevation gain of 2,510 feet and averages about 5.5 hours to hike including time to eat lunch. This is one of the most popular hikes in the mid-Atlantic region.

History was all around last weekend (3/13-3/14) as 31 Scouts [including  1 Sea Scout] and 7 adults from Troop 799 went to the historical Appomattox Courthouse. The expedition was led by Mr. Victor. The troop left bright and early Saturday morning. We hiked on Lee's Trail, picking up trash along the way, and visited many historical Civil War sites including the Clover Hill Tavern and Peers House. Along the way there were markers for graves and we visited many graveyards. As we hiked, the Scouts had the opportunity to earn a BSA Historic Trails Medal that is offered by the Blue Ridge Mountain Council. Many of the Scouts on the trip had family ties to the Civil War, and they shared their history. After finishing our hike, we camped overnight near Holliday Lake. And inevitably, it rained. The next morning, some of us dry, others not so dry, packed up camp and left around ten o'clock. Overall, it was a very informative and fun trip! Bennett Haynes