Archives for May 2020
NCAC Continues to Grow Welcoming Nine New Units During Pandemic
Starting a new unit in Scouting takes a lot of legwork, but starting a new unit during a pandemic presents special challenges. Through the tenacity of incredible volunteers and leaders, the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will be welcoming four new Scouts BSA Troops for girls, one new Scouts BSA Troop for boys, three new STEM Labs, and a new Sea Scout Ship this month.
In March the Council offices were closed due to COVID-19. While adjusting to the new normal, many Council staff members and volunteers began working to ensure Scouting continued. There efforts included starting a virtual Merit Badge Program, creating Scouting at Home resources for parents and youth, and holding virtual meetings. Now new units formation is added to the list of Scouting at Home activities.
There are multiple steps involved in starting a new unit, from finding a chartered organization to recruiting Scouts. The leaders of these new units jumped in to the process with both feet, glad to help create new Scouting opportunities. Even a once in a lifetime event like a pandemic won’t stop them from shaping the next generation of youth.
Burt Wagner, Junior Lab 9941’s Lab Manager says, “STEM Labs fill a gap in Scouting. Just as traditional Scout units focus on “hands on” with outdoor skills, the “hands on” component was missing for many STEM topics. Having a STEM Lab allows Scouts to go from “look at this cool STEM thing” to “come here and do this cool STEM thing.”
Leaders in NCAC believe that creating new units during the pandemic teaches Scouts that although the road may be rough, it is not impossible. Scoutmaster Tony from Troop 350 adds that even as they were completing the paperwork for Scouts BSA Troop 350 for girls, the Troop is, “Zooming through Merit Badges and advancement requirements as they prepare for their trip to Summit.”
Lorrie Hartwell, NCAC’s Sea Scout Commodore, states, “Someday soon we all hope our boats and Scouts will be OUT on the waters leading, learning, feeling those breezes and just having FUN. The Scouts’ enthusiasm turns the administrative challenges of starting a new unit into small obstacles that are easy to overcome. Just ask and help will come!”
The Scouting program provides so much for our youth in the D.C. metro area, especially during this difficult time. It continues to inspire youth to advance, get outdoors, serve their community, and make friends all while using the proper precautions to stay safe. This time in their lives will never be forgotten and the history made by deciding to join Scouting during a pandemic will forever be etched in their memory.
To learn more about how to start a new Troop, Ship, STEM Lab, or other Scouting unit, please contact us and a member of our local Scouting team will be in touch.
U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton Joins Troop 1547 for Virtual Troop Meeting
Troop 1547 was honored to have U.S. Rep Jennifer Wexton, who represents Virginia’s 10th District, join its most recent virtual troop meeting on May 4. The congresswoman talked to the troop about her job and answered questions such as her favorite part of her job, how often she is called to the House floor to vote and what motivated her to run for Congress.
“Rep. Wexton joining our meeting gave our Scouts an inside look at the legislative branch of our government on a national and state level as she’s served in both,” said Troop 1547 Senior Patrol Leader Kyle Hogan. “She answered many questions from Scouts, allowing them to learn about our national representatives in an interactive manner.”
Rep. Wexton encouraged the Scouts and all young people to be involved in their community, particularly when it comes to causes and issues important to them. She spoke about how her job allows her to interact with constituents as well as with leaders from across the country, and that members of Congress often work together on important issues.
The May 4th meeting was Troop 1547’s most recent weekly meeting held via Zoom. Attendance at virtual meetings has been the same and sometimes exceeds that of the troop’s in-person meetings prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The troop’s youth leadership changed right at the beginning of the pandemic in March.
“Taking on the responsibility of Senior Patrol Leader in the midst of a global pandemic is certainly a new challenge,” Kyle said. “Our virtual meetings don’t exactly follow the schedule of a typical meeting, which allows for more flexibility in our activities, but also more planning. Ensuring our scouts are learning and leading during this time has been challenging to coordinate and organize, but the results have been magnificent so far.”
Virtual meetings have included videos and presentations on knots, food safety and outdoor ethics. Kahoot games have been very popular. And a group of scouts led by the troop guide has been having weekly Zoom sessions with the scouts who crossed over recently to work on rank requirements.
Kyle also started a weekly photo contest for virtual meetings, with a theme each week such as nature for Earth week or cooking and a special topic for the May 4th meeting: Star Wars.
“Giving our Scouts a weekly photo contest has been a great way to keep them active and thinking, as they have to come up with new ways to innovate on the given prompt,” Kyle said. “The submissions are voted on by the other Scouts in real time, so they need to impress each other to win the week. The reward is a special role in our Troop Discord server, showing them their permanent bragging rights. It’s all done in good fun and an attempt to keep our Scouts active.”
For the Star Wars photo contest, Scouts sent in photos featuring light sabers and lots of LEGO. Kyle’s brother Connor was voted as the winner for his photo titled, “Encounter on the Moon of Endor.”
2021 Jamboree, THE MOST EXCITING JAMBOREE EVER!
Scouting’s flagship event is a gathering of thousands of Scouts and Scouters that showcases everything that is great about the Boy Scouts of America. Over the course of 10 days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America gathers together. Scouts and Scouters who attend will participate in many adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, hikes, sports and more! With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.
National Jamboree is the best of Scouting rolled into 10 days of friends, fun and adventure! Get ready to Face the Challenge and sign up to attend the Jamboree!
Scouting’s PREMIER High Adventure experience! The experience of a lifetime including: whitewater rafting, rock climbing, bouldering, rappelling, zip lines, mountain biking, canopy tours, shooting sports, dragon boats, paddle boats, COPE courses, BMX racing, Pioneering, canoe slalom, kayaking and more. In addition to all of the things you’ve grown to love about the Jamboree, there is patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, Technology Quest, and over 30,000 of your closest friends.
- When: The 2021 National Jamboree is July 21 – 30, 2021
- Where: Summit Bechtel Reserve, New Hope, West Virginia
SEEKING:
- Scouts BSA: At least 12 years of age (or age 11 and have graduated 6th grade) by the first day of the Jamboree, and may not reach their 18th birthday by the last day of the Jamboree
- Crew Member: Graduated the 8th grade or be at least 14 years of age by the first day of the Jamboree, but not have reached their 21st birthday by the last day of the Jamboree.
- Adults: who are willing to apply to serve as unit leadership
You must have a my.scouting.org account in order to register. If you do not have a profile, please visit http://my.scouting.org and set up an account; you will need to attach your BSA ID to the account so be sure to have the number available.
HOW MUCH:
- $1,500* per Scout or Crew Member ($200 due to complete registration)
- $1,500* per Adult Unit Leaders
- Camperships available to qualifying youth from households under 50% of the Area Median Income in the Washington D.C. area.
- Fees include all food, insurance and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel and cooking utensils during your adventure at the Jamboree. Fees also include transportation to and from the Summit on motorcoach buses. There will be a shakedown campout prior to the Jamboree. No major additional costs. Just show up with your personal camping gear and Jamboree Uniform.
NCAC Contingent cost is $1,500pp. The national fee of $1,175 set by Jamboree Administration covers the expense of program materials, food, insurance, and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel, and cooking utensils. Additional Council fees cover transportation, bags, patches, and other fees.
Note on Unit Assignments: Youth will be assigned to NCAC contingent units in the summer of 2020. A maximum of eight (8) youth from one local unit will be assigned to a NCAC contingent Jamboree unit.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
- $200 due upon registration
- $500 due June 30, 2020
- $500 due December 31, 2020
- $300 due April 1, 2021
Download the flier today and get ready to Face The Challenge, Jamboree 2021!
If you have any questions please contact Program Director, Eric Smith at eric.smith@scouting.org. For more information visit https://www.ncacbsa.org/jamboree/.
Aquia District Pack 242 Cheetah Den Visits Stafford County Board of Supervisors
In January, as part of our Building a Better World Adventure, Scouts from Aquia District’s Pack 242, led by the multi-age girl’s Cheetah Den, visited the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. While there, they met with one of their local Supervisors, Ms. Cindy Shelton, and the Board’s Chairwoman, Ms. Meg Bohmke, to discuss the roles of the Board of Supervisors and how they came to represent our area. The Den led the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of the meeting, and then stayed to observe the Board’s business.
Pack 1156 Participates in Siren Salute to Health Care Professionals
Pack 1156, chartered by the Sterling United Methodist Church participated in the Siren Salute to the Health Care professionals at INOVA Loudoun Hospital Friday, May 1st. Not only was it one to complete Day 15 or the Build My Own Hero adventure in the Webelos Challenge it was a true honor to thank and support all the hard working Health Care Workers (Doctors, Nurses, Administrative and Support Staff) along with our communities First Responders.