We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Archives for June 2022

Camping Palooza

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Coming this fall to Camp William B. Snyder is Camping Palooza, a day event celebrating scouting in NCAC by showcasing aspects from all areas of scouting. Including activities from STEM, Scouting History, food, music, games, and more, Camping Palooza will be hosted by the Amangamek-Wipit Lodge and will be open to all ages of scouts and scouters. Some hints of what’s to come include nature, handicrafts, a marching band, special guests, and to end the day, a closing show sure to wow and excite. This jamboree of sorts will be taking place on October 15 2022, and our team can not wait to see you there!

Camping Palooza not only provides exciting activities, but also opportunities to network and meet other scouts. Camping Palooza is open to everyone! From Cub Scouts to Eagles, Sea Scouts, Venture Crews, all branches and ages of scouting are welcome at this event. With as many activities as we have planned, there is sure to be something for everyone!

We are still thinking up tons of thrilling program activities that are sure to excite everyone from the youngest Lion Scout to the most experienced adults, so if you have an idea for an awesome activity, or if you would like to join the event staff and lend your assistance for the day, let us know at campingpalooza@wipit470.org.

Register NOW for World-Class Leadership Training !!!

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New and seasoned Scouters, you have the opportunity to take WORLD-CLASS leadership training offered by NCAC. It is easily the equivalent of the best corporate management and leadership programs!

The course is Wood Badge, a 103 year-old course first taught by Baden-Powell and most recently updated in 2020 for our era of Scouting. The next course will be taught this early fall at Camp Snyder.

Over the course of two weekends in September and October, Scouters will immerse themselves in engaging, interactive instruction and live the life of a Scout. For some, it will be a life-changing experience! For everyone, it will be a FUN and fulfilling event, lead by a well-experienced and trained staff of Scouters.

A great side benefit are the Scouting friends and connections participants make to help them in their future work with our youth. It is designed for Scouters working at the unit, district and the council level. Whatever your Scouting position, you will benefit from this course!

Sign up NOW at www.ncacbsa.org/woodbadge. Scholarships are available for those needing financial assistance.

Troop 58’s Spring Break St. Thomas Sailing Adventure

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An adventurous crew of nine scouts and three adults from Troop 58 in Ashburn, VA spent a year eagerly anticipating a spring break Sea Base sailing adventure in the Bahamas. Due to the uncertainties surrounding international travel because of the ongoing pandemic, the crew changed course in January and chose a St. Thomas sailing adventure in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In April, the crew donned their matching Hawaiian shirts, met Captain Matias at Sapphire Beach Marina and boarded the deck of the 50 ft. yacht, Antillean, and set sail.

The first night sleeping on deck was quite an adventure with gusting high winds, torrential downpours, flapping side panels, squealing pulleys, squawking seagulls, and even crowing roosters! The weather improved and the crew enjoyed navigating from the shaded cockpit and at times relaxing in the on-deck hammock. Some of the highlights of the week included snorkeling, night fishing at Honeymoon Beach, hiking to Fort Segarra, and a beach BBQ. Late in the week, the crew swam ashore in their bathing suits to Water Island for a well-deserved hamburger dinner at a local waterfront restaurant.

During the course of the five-day adventure the crew completed the requirements to earn the Snorkeling BSA patch and the Duty to God award. Several scouts also earned their Fishing, Citizenship in Society, and Communications merit badges. Captain Matias kept a close eye on the crew throughout the week to evaluate their success on the water in the areas of snorkeling, sailing & crewing, fishing, cooking, cleaning, personal care, and behavior and awarded them with the Captains Club patch.

Troop 58’s next high adventure will be dog-sledding, snowshoeing, ice-fishing and more at Okpik Cold Weather Camping at Northern Tier in January 2023!

Pack 278 Celebrates it’s First Supernova as a Family Pack

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Cub Scout Pack 278 is proud to award its 3rd Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award to Fiona H. Fiona joined the pack as a Wolf when she became the first girl registered in Pack 278.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, the Leaders of Pack 278 took on the task of becoming a Family Pack that serves all youth in the Middletown Valley. Fiona watched her older brother learn important life skills while having fun since she was 3 years old. Today, at 9 years old, she has earned her Bear Rank and successfully completed the Alvarez Supernova requirements.

The Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova honors Dr. Alvarez’s many achievements. While working on the Alvarez Supernova, Fiona was challenged to research 3 different scientists and innovators. Fiona chose to research the lives of Jane Goodall, Marie Curie, and Mary Anning. These three women forged ahead in their scientific fields despite many telling them that scientific discovery was not the role of women. Fiona continued to learn about women scientists by interviewing Jennifer Karschner, a Forensic Specialist working for the Montgomery County Police Department. During this interview, Fiona learned that a simple love of puzzles and helping people combined with “lots of school” can be a recipe for a successful career in Science.

Fiona pursued her interest in science by completing a science experiment investigating the result of placing chicken bones in vinegar and other liquids. Along with learning about acids and bases, she discovered that science can be cool and gross at the same time. Finally, Fiona spoke with her Den Leader about why learning science and math is important in education. Fiona learned that science is in everything that we do, from building fires to baking cookies. Understanding why the recipe works is the first step in creating your own.

June NESA Luncheon Featuring 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Peter Agre!

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Calling all Eagles to an extraordinary NESA Luncheon! Join us on Thursday, June 9th, 2022, via zoom to hear from the 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Peter Agre! Register here at, ncacbsa.org/nesa-lunches/.

Did you know that one of the fundamental processes of life is the transportation of water molecules through the surface layer of the cells that comprise organisms? Channels that allow the passage of water but not other substances are crucial for processes such as the kidney’s capacity to recover water from urine. For a long time, no one knew what these water canals looked like, but in 1990 Peter Agre succeeded in isolating a protein that he proved was the sought-after water canal. This protein is known as Aquaporin.

Today, Agre now focuses his attention on combatting malaria in the laboratory and in the field, where he oversees efforts in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Although the lunches are free, please consider making a donation to Scouting at www.ncacbsa.org/give to help support our luncheons as well as the great Scouting experience. Who knows—you might be helping a future luncheon speaker write their story!

And if you or someone you know are interested in being a guest speaker at one of our lunches, or you have a suggestion or idea, please contact us at NESADC@NCACBSA.org.

For updates and registration on upcoming networking luncheons, follow us on Facebook, add us on LinkedIn, or check out our schedule on the National Capital Area Council’s Calendar of Events.