We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Archives for May 2022

Cubs have STEM portfolios, thanks to a remarkable mentor

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Mr. Robert Stallings Jr. has been a Supernova Mentor in Goose Creek District for a few years now. As a Supernova Mentor, he guides cub scouts thru their pursuit of STEM activities, learning, science projects, research and field trips to broaden their horizons of STEM disciplines. While mentoring 5 Webelos/AOLs for the Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova and 2 Wolves/Bears for the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award, Mr. Stallings had his hands full with 70 individual requirements to keep track of.

Yet, Mr. Stallings didn’t stop there. He went on to help each of these Cub Scouts develop digital portfolios of their STEM explorations! The NCAC STEM Committee is beyond impressed. Take a look at a snapshot of the portfolios below…

Starting with the Dr. Charles H Townes Supernova recipients: Olivia, David, Whit, Neil and Abhyunday

For Requirement 1: Olivia visited a geological site, created a simple circuit, and did several mathematics activities!

For Requirement 2: Neil earned the Build It adventure at Michael’s Woodshop at Camp Snyder.

 

For Requirement 4: Abhyuday learned about five famous scientists, technology innovators, engineers or mathematicians.


For Requirement 7: Whit visited scientists at the Washington University in St. Louis and interviewed researchers looking for a cure for tuberculosis!

 

For Requirement 8: David investigated a question about what materials are soundproof, and made a box!

 

So did Olivia!

And Whit!

And Abhyuday! They measured the decibel level to test their soundproof boxes.

 

The Dr. Luis Alvarez Supernova recipients: Seaton and Noah also explored some fantastic experiments in pursuit of their awards. 

For requirement 7: Seaton visited with a scientist, and got to try his hand at labwork!

 

For requirement 8: Seaton learned about the scientific method with his mentor.

For requirement 9: Noah participated in a pack STEM event – airplanes and lego races.

 

Congratulations to all 7 Supernova recipients, and thank you to Mr. Stallings for being an incredible Supernova Mentor!

Last year, Mr. Stallings created the first set of digital folios for his Cubs out of necessity – as the Cubs were on the brink of finishing their Supernovas when Covid hit, so they had to complete and submit their work digitally.

If you want to see the full story of when Mr. Stallings first started creating digital folios, please check out this link! https://weownadventure.com/four-pack-1500-cub-scouts-earn-the-dr-luis-w-alvarez-supernova-award-electronically/

This year, Mr. Stallings took it to a new level. Thank you for your service, Mr. Stallings!

Meet 2022 Silver Beaver Recipient Shawn Carroll

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Shawn Carroll began Scouting as a youth member of Troop 22 in Albany, New York. He later joined Explorer Post 405 at the Colonie Volunteer Fire Department. Shawn also attended the 1989 National Jamboree with Council Contingent Troop 1311, serving on the Northeast Region’s Honor Guard for President George H.W. Bush. Shawn reconnected as an adult serving as Committee Chair, Den Leader, and Webelos Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 1157 in Goose Creek District.

He has served as Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Crew Advisor for Troop 29701’s high adventure program, preparing scouts for epic adventures at Lenhok’sin, Philmont, Northern Tier, Florida Sea Base, and on unsupported treks in West Virginia, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana! and Alaska. After his sons aged out of the Scouts BSA program, Shawn focused on delivering adult leader training for the Council, serving as an instructor for Scoutmaster Specific Training at Goshen, Akela’s Trail, University of Scouting, Back Country Outdoor Leadership Skills, Powder Horn, and Wood Badge. Last year, Shawn led a BALOO and IOLS course at Camp Snyder for adult leaders unable to attend district offered courses due to pandemic restrictions.

Shawn continues to support Council initiatives serving on the Training Committee as the Wood Badge Coordinator to ensure that all courses offered in the National Capital Area Council meet the high standards of the national curriculum.

Shawn currently resides in Sterling, Virginia with his spouse of 24 years, Dr. Amy G. Carroll. They have two sons, Brandon and Ryan, who are both Eagle Scouts. Congratulations to Shawn and the 2022 Silver Beaver Class! Please join us on May 22, 2022 at Camp Snyder for this special Court of Honor. To purchase your ticket, visit https://scoutingevent.com/082-58006

Meet 2022 Silver Beaver Recipient David Bloxsom

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Starting his scouting career in Indianapolis Indiana, Crossroads of America Council, North Star District in 1970, David earned the Arrow of Light in Pack 505 and bridged into Post 71.  He helped lead a book study during the 1975 “Post 71 Big Adventure” trip to Daytona Beach.  Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” helped shape his worldview. He joined the US Navy right out of High School and semi-retired after 23 years. He now lives in New Midway, MD.

David currently serves as Day Camp Program Director for the Francis Scott Key District and Assistant Scout Master of troop 1011 in Woodsboro MD.  Previously he has served as Tiger, Wolf and Bear Den Leader, Treasurer and Cub Master of Pack 366 in Annapolis MD, as well as Den Leader at Camp Tomahawk Day Camp for Baltimore Area Council, The Capitol District.  October 2003, he moved to the country and served as Bear and Webelos Den Leader and Committee Chair for Pack 1069 in Woodsboro, MD.  Joining Troop 1011 he served as Charter Organization Representative, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scout Master. David also served on Day Camp Staff in 2006 where he established the camps Fishin’ Hole and continued to run that station for six years concurrently serving on Catoctin Mountain / Francis Scott Key Districts as the Outdoor Programs Chairman, Vice Chair of Programs and District Chairman.

David completed Woodbadge in 2005 and was awarded the District Award of Merit in 2008.  He is a member of the Order of the Arrow and has earned an Associate Degree from the University of Scouting, College of Scouts BSA.  David also serves on the Board of Directors for the Walkersville Watershed Scout Camp.

Retiring from the Navy in 2004, David attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.  As an Electronics Technician he earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare and Aviation Warfare pins.  He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (3 times), the Navy Achievement metal (4 times), and the Good Conduct Medal (6 times). He earned various campaign medals and citations as he served in Operation Desert Shield/Saudi Arabia Campaign, Operation Provide Comfort (Iraq), Operation Deny Flight Bosnia-Herzegovina, Operation Norther Watch (Iraq) Kuwaiti Liberation, Operation Noble Anvil (Allied Forces) and Operation Desert Storm.  David currently works for a small defense contractor in Frederick as the Production Manager and IT Systems Administrator.

Outside of a full-time job and scouting, David has been active in the local American Legion (Glen W Eyler Post 282) where he has served as Children & Youth Chairman, Vice Commander, and Commander.  He is also dedicated to the church body at the Frederick Church of Christ where he has served as Youth Program Coordinator, Youth Group (teen) Teacher and A/V Production director.  He is currently an Elder/Shepherd of the congregation.

David and Melody have been married for 38 years and have two sons: Eagle Scout Phillip Bloxsom and 1st Class Scout Harry Bloxsom. Congratulations to David and the 2022 Silver Beaver Class! Please join us on May 22, 2022 at Camp Snyder for this special Court of Honor. To purchase your ticket, visit https://scoutingevent.com/082-58006

Saving a Fellow Student’s Life Earns Aquia District Scout the BSA Medal of Merit

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We all know that our BSA Scouting Motto is: “Be Prepared.” The Founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, England, when asked by a reporter in the early 1900’s, “Be prepared for what?” replied: “Why, for any old thing, of course!”

Through an exemplary display of living these words, Jayden Easley of Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!”), Aquia District in Stafford, VA, earned the BSA Medal of Merit. Jayden proved to “Be Prepared” by showing confidence, initiative and quickly taking actions to save the life of a fellow classmate when he unexpectedly faced an emergency that required using his Scouts BSA First Aid training skills at school.

Here’s what happened: On Friday, September 10, 2021, while attending Ms. LaFrance’s French class at A.G. Wright Middle School, Stafford VA, a student in the class appeared to be choking on something and fell to the floor. Without hesitating, Jayden asked the student if they could talk or breath… they were unable to respond. Jayden quickly began to apply first aid by helping the student to stand and then applied back thrusts in an attempt to remove any obstruction. When the back thrusts were ineffective, Jayden then applied the Heimlich maneuver. It is unsure if the victim was actually choking on something or not, but after Jayden’s actions, the student was able to begin breathing again. Other students in the room went to retrieve the school nurse when Jayden began first aid, but by the time the nurse arrived the student was breathing again. The victim was taken to the nurse’s office to make sure everything was okay, which the class later found out was the case.

Jayden’s teacher, Ms LaFrance, added that it was “a scary few minutes” but Jayden was “right there” to offer assistance with the Heimlich maneuver. She added that Jayden was very calm and acted without hesitation.

During his Board of Review with the BSA National Court of Honor committee, Jayden credited his actions to the first aid he learned from his Troop Guides and a Troop-sponsored First Aid/CPR class he attended in 2021.

During a Court of Honor, held on 13 April 2022, officiated by Dara Campbell, Aquia District Executive, Jayden’s meritorious actions were honored and celebrated by fellow Scouts, friends and family. Jayden’s parents were clearly so very proud to take roles by pinning the Medal of Merit on Jayden’s uniform and presenting him with the framed certificate. In his remarks, Jayden humbly thanked everyone involved with submitting him for the award, for organizing and attending the Court of Honor and to those Scouts and Scouters who helped him learn and perfect his Scouting First Aid skills so that he could “Be Prepared” when it mattered most.

 

Meet 2022 Silver Beaver Recipient Gerard “Jerry” Beaulieu III

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Jerry Beaulieu began his Scouting experience as a Bobcat in National Area Capital Council (NCAC) Pack 1306 in Potomac. As a member of Troop 30, he joined the Amangamek-Wipit Lodge of the Order of the Arrow and participated in a Philmont trek. In 1981 he became an Eagle Scout, an honor also achieved by his three younger brothers and later his son.

Jerry is an active member of the community participating, over the years, in activities with his church, home owners association, the Montessori school his son attended, and Scouting. He has been the OA Advisor for Potomac Chapter since 2015. Prior to that he served as a Scoutmaster and ASM with Troop 944 in Rockville. As one who loves the outdoors, Jerry earned the Triple-crown –participating in treks to Northern Tier, Philmont, and Sea base. Jerry kept his Vigil in in 2016, and has been recognized with a Potomac District Award of Merit and Bronze Pelican award by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. He was a staff volunteer on three National Jamborees, the World Scouting Jamboree at the Summit in West Virginia, and plans to staff the 2023 Jamboree.

Over the years Jerry has mentored many Arrowmen and Scouts, helping them become leaders, effective planners, and good citizens. None of this would have been possible without the support of his wife Dani who also enjoys travel and camping -albeit in more comfort than a typical Scouting adventure.

Congratulations to Jerry and the 2022 Silver Beaver Class! Please join us on May 22, 2022 at Camp Snyder for this special Court of Honor. To purchase your ticket, visit https://scoutingevent.com/082-58006

Cub Scouts field trip is Out of this World!

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Pack 88 in Lorton VA recently held its first Nova Night where 25 Cub Scouts completed the Out of this World award.

The scouts built balloon rockets, learned the forces of flight, created a scale solar system and designed a Mars base. The evening was capped off with a zoom call with Michael Fossum, a retired NASA astronaut and grandfather of one of the Wolf scouts.

To round out the requirements the Pack went on a field trip to the Udvar-Hazy center and saw the Space Shuttle Discovery that their distinguished visitor commanded.

To learn the more about the STEM Nova awards, please visit: www.scouting.org/STEM