We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Archives for March 2022

Meet 2022 NOESA Honoree Matthew Jones

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Matt Jones earned his Eagle in the National Capital Area Council in 1990 when he was a member of Troop 654 based in Mt. Vernon, VA.

Matt currently serves as an owner, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Leading Authorities, Inc. (“LAI”) a privately held company in Washington, DC that represents notable figures for speaking and literary representation, helps organizations design and produce events, and works with companies in need of creative video production. Jones joined the firm in 1997 and has overseen the firm’s growth to more than 10x its size in his tenure. Today, LAI is one of the top companies of its kind in the industry, employing almost 100 people and managing to succeed throughout the last few years despite the decline of in-person events.

Matt exemplifies the spirit and commitment of an Eagle Scout, not only as a successful businessperson, but as someone who supports and gives back to the community and assists those less fortunate and in need.

While enjoying success as a company, Matt and LAI have also supported the National Capital Area Council for over 10 years by helping to produce fundraising events, donating services, and producing videos highlighting scouting achievements in the region.

In addition to supporting the Boy Scouts of America, Matt and LAI have actively supported MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, SOME – So Others Might Eat, the Alzheimer’s Association, Bright Beginnings, SEALKIDS, Little League Baseball and many other local charities through fundraising, event production, and video production.

Congratulations to Matt and his fellow 2022 NOESA Honorees! Please join us on March 23, 2022 at Army Navy Country Club for a celebration honoring the 2022 NOESA recipients. For more information visit, www.ncacbsa.org/noesa/.

Canoe Trek: Looking for campers!

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The NCAC High Adventure Committee is sponsoring a Provisional Crew to Lenhok’sin High Adventure’s River Trek on the James River. Dates are July 17 – 23, 2022 (Goshen’s Week 4).

Lenhok’sin High Adventure is the high adventure base at Goshen Scout Reservation. It offers both backpacking and canoe treks. The River Trek takes participants paddling down one of Virginia’s most scenic rivers, the James River, on a 5 day, 4 night canoeing trek. Experience 61 miles of the historic upper James River in Virginia from the headwaters at Iron Gate to the Snowden Dam. Navigate over 100 Class I rapids, 20 challenging Class II rapids, and the infamous Balcony Falls rapid. Bring your fishing pole and pick up dinner along the way. Camp nightly at wilderness riverside locations. Add an optional river clean up service project to work towards your River Trek and 50 Miler Awards.

This crew is for individual Venturers and Scouts, ages 14+. Interested individuals who are 12 (13 by September 1, 2022) or 13 years old should contact the trek leaders first for information on attending.

Cost is $420/youth and $225/adult. Prices increase after the Early Bird deadline on April 15. Camperships are available on the Goshen website: www.gotogoshen.org/camperships

Learn more about Lenhok’sin High Adventure and the James River Canoe Trek at www.gotogoshen.org/lenhoksin

Register and get contact information for the NCAC High Adventure Committee River Trek Provisional Crew at scoutingevent.com/082-55220

Learn more about the NCAC High Adventure Committee and other high adventure trips for Summer 2022 at www.ncacbsa.org/high-adventure

Local Scouts have earned the Boy Scout’s highest rank as Eagle Scout.

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Local scouts earn the Boy Scout’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.

Eric D., Benjamin D., Jacobi H., and Dominic J. of Dale City Boy Scout Troop 1919 of the National Capital Area Council BSA, have earned the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank advancement of Eagle Scout. These Eagle Scouts were recognized in ceremonies on February 23, 2022 at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1503, Dale City. Dale City Boy Scout Troop 1919 is sponsored by VFW Post 1503.To achieve the rank of Eagle, a scout must demonstrate leadership in a position of responsibility for several months, earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, and obtain letters of recommendation. In addition, each scout must plan, develop, and complete a service project helpful to their community. Pandemic did not stop these Boys Scout from achieving their rank and find ways to contribute to their community.

Eric D. of Colgan High School constructed a soccer storage box at Chinn Park Soccer Field for Prince William Soccer Inc., a non-profit organization that provides recreational soccer in the community. Ben D. of Forest Park High School constructed a Disc Golf Course at Neabsco Elementary School to provide recreation to the community and the school. Jacobi H. of Colgan High School helped an organization that trains service animals for Veterans and their families by constructing two training obstacles for Semper K9. Dominic J. of Woodbridge High School coordinated with the Environmental Services Division of the Virginia Prince William County Public Works Department to plant over 100 trees. Trees were planted in four different locations and saved the county maintenance money while helping to protect the environment.

These Eagle Scouts names and the year they became Eagle Scouts will be displayed on a plaque at VFW Post 1503. The plaques on the walls of the VFW Post 1503 contain the names of over 100 Eagle Scouts and the year they became Eagles since Troop 1919 was established in 1983.

Scout Applies STEM Skills in the Woodshop

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Mihai displays prototype

Star Scout Mihai Z. created the CNC computer code needed to engrave the Cub Scout logo into a new cross over bridge for Pack 1540 in Fairfax, VA. Mihai volunteers as a Youth Assistant in Michael’s Woodshop and since the arrival of the CNC machine, he has been looking for opportunities to use the machine. Mihai enjoys learning new technology and he was able to quickly adapt his 3D printing skills to learn and program the CNC machine. It was a relatively complex first project but the end result was fantastic. Cubmaster Dusty Vaughn, who had initiated the project, was very impressed and stated that the Pack would certainly appreciate the engraving on their bridge for many years to come.

The CNC project was coordinated by shop volunteer Dallas Cecil. Under his leadership, Michael’s Woodshop is developing additional applications for the CNC machine including the creation of a library of standard images. Dallas is willing to work with unit leaders to develop images for engraving special projects, such as the cross over bridge. As new capabilities are developed, we expect interest in creating AOL plaques and other special projects will quickly increase the use of the CNC machine.

Michael’s Woodshop is an incredible resource available to NCAC Units & Scouts. The CNC machine is just one of the many woodworking tools and machines available in the shop. Michael’s Woodshop is operated by a group of adult and youth volunteers, and we are always interested in adding quality volunteers to our team. If you like being in a wood shop and enjoy teaching and guiding youth, please consider joining the Woodshop Team. We have volunteer roles available for experienced woodworkers, novices and those who have specialized skills (such as operating the CNC machine).

After staining!

Please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage for more information about shop capabilities, reserving the shop or for information about joining the Woodshop Team. If you are interested in using the CNC machine for an upcoming project or if you would like additional information about the shop, please email the volunteer team at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

Scouts & Venturers Get a Taste of Real Winter

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During the recent Christmas break, Venturers of St. Paul’s LCMS Venturing Crew 1785 teamed up with Scouts of Mt. Zion UMC’s Scouts BSA Troop 1785, both of Mechanicsville, to head out to the Boy Scouts of America’s Northern Tier High Adventure Base in Ely, MN for a week of winter fun.

Originally planned for 2020 but rescheduled for 2021 due to the Maryland Governor’s COVID-19 travel restrictions, the crew of youth and adult advisors finally got to experience a variety of winter sports and activities out on the snow-covered forests and lakes of the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area, a mere six miles from the Canadian border. Scouts enjoyed snowshoeing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, building and sleeping in quinzees (a kind of snow shelter), ice fishing, downhill sledding and broom ball iduring BSA’s Okpik Holiday Stay program. ‘Okpik’ is an Inuit word for snowy owl.

Temperatures bottomed out at -32F overnight one night and there were two continuous days where they remained below zero. Participants all brought basic cold weather clothing and gear and were outfitted with additional excellent heavy-weight cold weather clothing, gear and high energy food by the staff at Northern Tier to enable us to “Be Prepared” for the conditions.

After nearly two years of planning and fundraising, everyone was excited to finally realize the fruits of their labor and see in the new year on an adventure. “Cold but very fun. We didn’t feel cold because of what we did,” said Scout Brice M.. Scout John O. enthused “It was awesome to be out in such extreme weather. I want to go back next winter and work there.”

Eagle Scouts Perform in Brigadier General Charles McGee’s Memorial Service

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The National Capital Area Council, White Oak District Scout BSA Troop 96 of Silver Spring, Maryland, is sponsored by the People’s Community Baptist Church had the distinct honor of serving as the Color Guard for the Memorial Service to honor Brigadier General Charles E. McGee. The celebration of life was filled with tributes of his admiration, reflection, and recognition of the significance of Scouting in the Brigadier General’s life. There were tributes to his service to the United States as a Tuskegee Airman during World War II and his continued service during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Even our very own Eagle Scouts were granted the opportunity to deliver a final Eagle Scout Charge acknowledging his steadfastness and dedication to the principles of Scouting. Lastly, The McGee Family’s reflections were equaled by the expressions delivered by the distinguished guest Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen and a Four-Star General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chief of Staff, United States Air Force.

The Memorial service culminated in a two-year relationship between the Troop and Brigadier General McGee. His daughter Yvonne highlighted his love for Scouting and the meaning of the Scout Oath and Law. Just two short years ago, Troop 96 and the National Capital Area Council honored retired Air Force Brigadier General Charles E. McGee with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, was established in 2013 and recognized individuals whose accomplishments embody the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law. Also, Troop 96 honored Brigadier General McGee with its first honorary Eagle Scout Award.

Scout BSA Troop 96, established in 1991, has developed a mission to foster and develop a quality program in the White Oak District and the National Capital Area Council. The Troop’s objective is to offer boys meaningful experiences in leadership, outdoor adventure, learning opportunities and recognition for accomplishment, and the development of life skills to help each boy contribute to his family, his church, his community, and our nation. Troop 96 provides each boy an opportunity to achieve the Eagle Scout rank. As of February 2022, Troop 96 has produced 68 Eagle Scouts since its inception.

The Memorial Service for Brigadier General Charles E. McGee occurred on Sunday, February 6 at 3:00 pm EST, you can view the service here.