GT8 scouts attending the Whitewater rafting trip in May, the summer camp at Camp Olmstead, or Bechtel High Adventure this summer can come to the YMCA in Silver Spring between 3:00-4:00 pm on April 28 to get a swim test accomplished. Please come in your bathing suit and with a towel. The test involves jumping in the water feet first, swimming 100 yards, and floating on your back.

All GT8 scouts attending summer camp must submit their medical forms to GT8 Camp Registration Coordinator Ms. Valeria Tortorelli (valeriat.allen@gmail.com) by May 1. The required form can be found on the calendar entry on the GT8 website. Specifically, Scouts need to complete the BSA health forms parts A, B, and C, as well as the NCAC Health Advisory form. (***NOTE: PART C OF THE BSA HEALTH FORM MUST BE COMPLETED BY A DOCTOR.***)

If you are unable to attend the GT8 swim test on Sunday, April 28, Boys Troop 8 will also be holding swim tests on Saturday, April 27 at 5:30-6:30 and on Sunday, May 12 at 5:30-6:30. These tests will be at the YMCA on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. The YMCA, which has invited us to their pool, requires a simple online waiver; scouts must complete the waiver and bring a photo ID to the pool. A link to the waiver is on the calendar invite on the GT8 website. These tests will count for the swim tests needed for the Rafting trip in May and summer camp.

The Horse Riding outing is THIS WEEKEND (April 20-21). Here are some important reminders:

WE WILL NOT BE MEETING ON FRIDAY evening to load the trailer. Instead, we will load the gear in adult leader cars on Saturday morning. Please arrive at the WCCC no later than 7:30 AM on Saturday.

The third session of the Personal Fitness Merit Badge will be an in-person meeting at the WCCC starting at 7:30 pm on April 22 (after the regular scout meeting). Scouts MUST HAVE have all of the written discussion requirements completed in their merit badge workbook to demonstrate the completion of those requirements and to fully participate in the discussion of the remaining requirements. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL SCOUTS BRING THEIR MERIT BADGE WORKBOOKS WITH ALL DISCUSSION ITEMS COMPLETED. Note that requirement 6 requires tracking your eating for 3 days and setting eating goals - hopefully the scouts have already completed that requirement, but if not, they should prior to the meeting on April 22.

Join GT8 on April 13, 9-11am for a park clean up at Newport Mill Local Park (location is here: https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/newport-mill-local-park/). Scouts can earn SSL hours with this activity. Any scout under 14 will need to be accompanied by a parent. Sign up will take place on-site, but please RSVP on the GT8 website under the calendar entry as soon as possible.