We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Archives for September 2020

Aquia and Mattaponi Scouts Team Up to Retire Old Glory with Proper Respect and Honors

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Troop 1889 of Aquia District, in conjunction with Troop 1422 of Mattaponi District, participated in a Flag Retirement ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 320 in Spotsylvania County. Troop 1889 collected about 85 tattered U.S. Flags that needed to be properly retired with due respect and honors. These were added to the several hundred that the American Legion already had gathered from the community.

On August 15, 2020, Troop 1889 Scouts (Jackson, Jake, Bobby, Wesley, Tyler, and Daniel) and adult Scout Leaders, as well as three Scouts and the Scoutmaster from Troop 1422, reported to the American Legion at 10:00 AM to prepare the Flags and set them out on metal bars. At 2:00 PM, they all participated in the Flag Retirement Ceremony where over 350 flags were retired with dignity and honor while a bugler played taps. From the collection of worn U.S. Flags to the retirement ceremony, Scouts completed about 7 hours of community service while practicing social distancing.

The Founder of Scouting, Lord Robert Baden-Powell said: “The teaching of service is not merely a matter of teaching in theory, but the development of two distinct phases: the inculcation of the spirit of goodwill, and the provision of opportunity for its expression in practice. The teaching is mainly through example and … patriotic dedication of self to the service of [others], solely for the joy of doing it and without thought of material reward.” The Scouts of Troop 1889 and 1422 and their adult Scout Leaders clearly exemplified this kind of patriotic service in their honoring of U.S. Flags deserving of proper and respectful retirement.

A Second Aquia District Scouts BSA No-Contact Food Drive in August – Continuing to Serve Stafford Safely

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As summer drew to a close, Aquia District Scouts BSA focused their efforts on helping Stafford Community residents by holding a second No Contact Food Drive on August 22, 2020, due to the planning and leadership of Aquia District Scouter Laura Curran. Scouts and their families suspended their preparations for the school year for a moment and instead did their Good Turn by collecting 4,353 pounds of food to help replenish the dwindling supplies of local Stafford County pantries.

Like the Scouts BSA food drive service project in May, the goal was to support local pantries and keep Scouts, their families, pantry volunteers and donors all safe by maintaining safe physical distancing. Scouts were asked to help in whatever way they deemed appropriate for their family’s circumstances. When Scouts answered the call, they spread the word of the event virtually, shared flyers with neighbors and donned masks to collect donations from doorsteps and driveways. Some Scout units worked with their neighborhood homeowners’ associations to share information and created neighborhood collections points. The drop off point for residents who heard about the drive was operated with safety of all at the forefront.

Stafford pantries were grateful for the donations, as the need to help those affected by the pandemic continues. The pantries are expecting a prolonged demand due to corona-virus related job loss and furloughs and still need support to continue their fight against food insecurity. Donations of food via food drives are the main source of non-perishables for these food pantries.

This coming November, Aquia District Scouts BSA will be conducting “Scouting For Food,” a national food drive Scout BSA campaign. For this event held annually in November, Scouts “Do a Good Turn” to help Stafford County and Dumfries food pantries stock their shelves, not just for the holidays, but for the months beyond.

This year’s Scouting For Food may look a little different with the added emphasis on the safety of all participants. However, Aquia District Scouts BSA will continue to do their part to meet the needs of Stafford County, their efforts perpetuated by them living the Scout Oath for service to others by “Helping Other People At All times.”

Workplace Giving Campaigns

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There are several different ways you can make a difference in our council at this time. The CFC is one of the easiest, most effective ways you can support National Capital Area Council is through workplace giving, an employer-sponsored program that empowers you to support your favorite charities through tax-deductible donations deducted directly from your paycheck.

The CFC campaign kicks off on September 21st and will conclude in January. Look for us in your workplace charitable giving campaign and designate National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America #48974 as recipient of your generosity on your pledge forms.

Through our membership with America’s Charities, employees at hundreds of public and private organizations can donate to NCAC through payroll contributions.

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)

CFC is a workplace giving campaign for federal employees: civilian employees, military personnel and postal workers. National Capital Area Council is a member of America’s Charities Community First federation and is listed as CFC #48974. Which begins September 21, 2020.

Unfortunately, there will not be in person charity fairs this year, they will be virtual. You can also contact Barb Perez for more information. Barb.Perez@scouting.org

Don’t forget to check if you employer will match your donation or the hours you have volunteered! Visit www.doublethedonation.org/ncacbsa.

Ryan Krauss, Top MD Scout Orienteer

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Ryan Krauss from Arlington Troop 111 (Chain Bridge District), was the top Maryland Scout Orienteer on Sept. 12 at Broad Creek Scout Reservation. On a tough, rocky course, 2019 champion Nate Beardmore from 347, Prince Frederick, Western Shore, had the lead most of the way, a bit ahead of 111’s Thomas Sullivan, 347’s Duncan Santerre, one Baltimore Area Scout, and Joey Hastings from 1321 in La Plata.
Amidst rigorous COVID precautions, 320 attendees did training and orienteered on color maps as in the attached picture. In that picture, can you see two problems with whomever hopes to find north!? If not, or even if so, mark you calendar for the 45th Annual MD Scout Orienteering Day on Oct. 23, 2021 at Patuxent River Park, Upper Marlboro,  Also contact Jim Chaplin at JHChaplin@comcast.net about the big 15th annual spring 2021 DC area NCAC Scout Orienteering event!

Wood Badge Critters Seen at D.C. Landmarks

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A little over 100 years ago, Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, led development of a training course for adult Scouters.  The course, called Wood Badge, continues as Scouting’s premier (and only worldwide) adult training program.  During two weekends of classroom and camping fun, the course participants learn about leadership through lecture and practical applications.  By the end of the second weekend, the participants each develop a Ticket consisting of a vision and 5 goals that are focused on making a lasting impact on their home units.  Upon completion of their Tickets, the participants are honored in a celebration of the occasion—a Wood Badge Beading.

On recent beautiful Sunday afternoons, two patrols from National Capital Area Council’s Fall 2018 Wood Badge Course held patrol beadings.  On Sunday afternoon, Aug 30, the Antelope Patrol —Barry Brown, Joe Laville, Greg Fairbanks, Chris Noyes, Jim Kyger, and Bryan Dierlam —gathered on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol.   The course Scoutmaster, Doug Carlson, and Karen Purinton, Antelope Troop Guide, presided over the ceremony which included more than 30 family, friends, and Scouters.  Attendees represented essentially every Scout program and age group.

Just two weeks later, on Sep 13, the Fox Patrol—Sonja Kueppers, Tam Bui, Ed Apsey, Robert Kronenberg, and Stephen Khovananth—met at another beautiful D.C. landmark, Roosevelt Island, for their patrol beading.  (Note that the Foxes met in the woods while the Antelopes met in an open field—just a coincidence?!)  For this ceremony, Scoutmaster Doug Carlson and Troop Guide Bryan Martin Firvida were joined by family members in officially recognizing these Scouters for their accomplishments.

The photos, including one of Antelope Bryan Dierlam and his children, William (Scout in Troop 500) and daughter, Emma (Webelos 1 in Pack 230), another of Fox Sonja Kuepper and her daughter, Erika Pfeifer (First Class in Troop 1123), and Fox Ed Apsey, his wife Margaret, and son, Odin (rising Arrow of Life in Pack 1152) are evidence that Scouting continues to have a bright future as a family movement!

 

Poppin’ in the USA challenge – 50 States in 3 Days!

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When Trail’s End announced the Poppin’ in the USA challenge – collecting one order from each of the 50 states – First Class Scout and Patrol Leader Michael Browning of Troop 492 was really excited. He had set a low popcorn sales goal this year, since we are not willing to let him do any in-person sales due to COVID-19. But an order from every state? That inspired him!

Michael had me film a Facebook Live video of him explaining the challenge, being careful to not mention his last name or where he lived. He shared a bit of his story, why he loves Scouting so much, and how achieving his goal would help both his troop and him. He showed the map of the 50 states that he had printed out, and promised to keep updating everyone. Michael asked everyone to share his video with their friends. I set the video to ‘public’ and added his Trail’s End web address.

The next two days were crazy! Michael’s video was being shared like crazy, as were all his updates. Friend of friends of friends were tagging people they knew in states Michael still needed. As it progressed, Michael stayed busy handwriting thank you notes to everyone I could get addresses for. A little less than 48 hours after starting, Michael got the last state: South Dakota!

Or so he thought. I emailed Trail’s End to verify, and they replied a day later to let me know he did not have Oklahoma. What?? It turns out the lady in Oklahoma did order…but shipped the order to her daughter in California, so it counted as a California order! We updated on Facebook again, and everyone shared like crazy, and an hour and a half later, Michael got an order from Oklahoma. He did it! All 50 states!

Today Trail’s End sent Michael two e-mails. The first notified him that he was one of the first 20 Scouts in the country to get an order from 25 different states, earning him a $50 Amazon gift card. And the second notified him that he was one of the first 5 Scouts in the country to get an order from all 50 states, earning him a $150 Amazon gift card!

In achieving this goal, Michael not only surpassed his goal from last year and earned another free week at Goshen, he learned a lot of important lessons. The first is that huge goals are achievable one small step – or state – at a time. The second is that sharing your goal with enthusiasm gets others excited to help you reach that goal. And finally, not only was it thrilling for Michael to achieve his goal, but everyone who was cheering him on was excited too! Lots of people have been thanking him for giving him a fun challenge to follow and share in the excitement of. And best of all, he has been able to help his beloved Troop 492 at a time when the troop is going to need more equipment to make socially distanced events safe and possible.