We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Archives for January 2023

Meet your 2023 Goshen Camp Directors!

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We are pleased to announce the team of Camp Directors for Goshen Scout Reservation for Summer 2023.

If you ever have any questions about camp or the programs we provide, please visit www.gotogoshen.org to get in touch with your camp director.

Elisabeth Warren, Goshen Scout Reservation Director

This will be Elisabeth’s 7th summer at Goshen and first year as Reservation Director. Previously, Elisabeth worked at Lenhok’sin High Adventure for six years in a variety of positions, including Camp Director and Program Director. As a Venture Scout, she was a camper at Camp Bowman for many summers. Elisabeth is a graduate of Dickinson College where she studied Environmental Science. She is very excited to share her love and passion for Goshen with you!

Avery Tarwater, Camp Bowman Director

Avery first came to Goshen in 2009 as a cub, and Bowman as a Scout in 2011. Avery joined staff as a CIT in 2014, and has lived and worked 10 summers at Camp Bowman. They’ve filled positions in almost every area around Camp, including Shooting sports, Bowman Vets, Aquatics, and Scoutcraft before becoming an Area Director in 2017 where they’d go on to run Bowman’s Handicraft, Scoutcraft, and Aquatics areas, as well as founding and Directing Bowman’s Culture Craft area in 2018. Avery’s humbled by the opportunity to represent the best staff in Bowman’s history, eager to welcome scouts and venturers new and old.

Joe Costner, Camp Marriott Director

Joe first camped at Goshen at Camp Olmsted in 2009 and 2010 before camping at Beautiful Camp Marriott in 2011. He loved Goshen so much he decided to work there, working at Camp PMI for seven years in a variety of roles including Scoutcraft Instructor, Scoutcraft Director, BB Gun Director, Facilities Director, and Program Director. When the opportunity arose to return to Goshen last summer, he jumped at the chance to be the Facilities Director at Beautiful Camp Marriott. Heading into his 9th summer on Goshen staff and first as Camp Director, Joe is looking forward to improving Marriott’s program and making the camp experience as great as possible.

Liam Glass, Camp Olmsted Director

This summer will be Liam’s Twelfth year on the Goshen staff and his first as the Olmsted Camp Director! During his time at camp Liam has worked in Ecology, Culture Craft, and served on admin staff for three years at Camp Olmsted. Liam lives in Virginia and is an avid birder. Liam’s favorite Goshen memory is the Wilderness Survival merit badge that he took as a camper; the group went on an Overnighter where they slept in primitive structures underneath the stars. Working with Scouts is a deeply gratifying experience for Liam and he looks forward to using the methods of Scouting to positively impact the lives of young people this summer.

Drew Goshorn, Camp Ross Director

Drew attended Ross as a Webelos Scout in 2011 and returned in 2014 as a den chief with his younger brother. The following year he returned as a CIT and has been working at camp ever since. Drew spent many years working at Ross’s Nature Center becoming the Nature Director in 2019. He also worked on our Webelos Homecamping staff during Covid, and has been the Program Director at Ross the last 2 years. This will be Drew’s 9th Summer on staff and 1st summer as Camp Director. When Drew is not at camp, he is studying to earn his History Degree from Southern New Hampshire University and works as a Substitute Teacher in Richmond, Virginia. Drew is excited to create and bring a fantastic program for your scouts, and hopes to give them a great summer and introduction to scouting.

Dan Leichtling, Lenhok’sin High Adventure Director

This is Daniel’s 18th summer at Goshen and 3rd at Lenhok’sin. He started as a staffer at Camp PMI in 2006 and earned his Eagle Scout in 2008. Earning an Associate Degree at Montgomery College and the a BA in History at University of Maryland, College Park, he has spent the last few years working as a substitute teacher when not trekking and teaching Scouts at Goshen. He is most looking forward to assembling and preparing an amazing staff that can provide Troops and Crews with an outstanding experience on the trail.

Webelos Scout Uses Popcorn Sales to Support A Local Animal Hospital

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Callista “Callie” Kellogg is a 9 year old Webelos who loves animals. “I would like to be a veterinarian. My personal zoo includes a black hamster named Pepper, a Rat terrier dog named Nutmeg, and a Maine coon cat named Ginger. I am picking up three chickens next week!” When asked by her parents, Eirik and Talisha Kellogg what cause was near and dear to her heart that she would like to support with her popcorn sales, Callie’s response was no surprise. After some thought, Callie responded that she would like to support animal welfare. Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital in Frederick, MD boards and takes care of their pets and also partners with three animal rescues. Lab Rescue LRCP is one of them.

Callie coordinated with the Lab Rescue LRCP Medical Director, Silvia Banales, and the animal hospital to create an Amazon Wishlist to address their medical needs. It was ordered to be delivered over the holidays. It was a lot of work and conscious scheduling to sell popcorn while also participating in swimming, cheerleading, STEM scouts and Cub Scouts. She belongs to Pack 278, Pack 1775 and STEM lab 4548. Scouting is a family event. Her sisters, Beth and Brooke Kellogg of Troop 3017G, also helped out by driving Callie around town and walking door to door with her. Callie also donated $1000 to the James E. West Fellowship with a gift to the NCAC Endowment Fund using the money she earned from the popcorn sale that went into her scout account. “I want all cub scouts to be able to go to camp. I have gone to camp every year and have enjoyed it very much and would like to share the experience with others who may be less fortunate. I want to make sure scouting remains accessible to all.”

In addition to storefront sales at Lowes and Wawa, Callie’s den leader and dad, Eirik Kellogg, took her door to door to do sales even though we live in they live in a rural part of Frederick County. Callie’s mom, Talisha Kellogg, who volunteered as the unit popcorn co-kernal says “The community in Frederick, MD has been amazing at supporting scouting. Many scouts and their parents in our pack put in the time to sell enough popcorn to fund their entire scouting year. Callie sold almost $28k in popcorn.

 

2023 NCAC Summer Camp Guide

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Planning your summer? Check out our summer camps! The 2023 NCAC Summer Camp Guide is now available online.

www.ncacbsa.org/summer-adventure

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Cub Scouts

Is your scout going to be a rising Tiger, rising Wolf, rising Bear, or rising Webelos or Arrow of Light? Cub Scout camps all have an overarching theme. It’s Off to the Races at the District Day and Twilight camps. Find one near you! Or get ready for a mysterious week at Day Camp at Camp Snyder. The theme this year is ???. Ready for the next step up? Sign up for a short overnight camp at Camp Snyder’s Resident Weekends.

Are your rising Webelos and AOL dens looking for a weeklong adventure? Camp Ross is Goshen Scout Reservation’s dedicated overnight Webelos camp. The theme this summer is Sherlock Ross: The Case of the Disappearing Camps. Help the camp staff solve the case!

Scouts BSA

Is your scout bridging into a Scouts BSA Troop? There are plenty of options. Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted at Goshen Scout Reservation offer a variety of dining options, unique and favorite Merit Badges and activities, and exciting programs for new scouts, older scouts, and all the scouts in between. Finish out your summer with Camp Catoctin BSA’s expert Merit Badge counselors in mid-August.

Is your Scout not able to attend camp with their Troop? Are they looking for a second week? Check out our options for individual scouts: Goshen runs Provisional Camp each week and Camp Snyder has Scout Specialty Week with both overnight and day camp options.

Older Scouts, Venturers, & Sea Scouts

Need more adventure for older scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts? Sign your unit up for a backpacking trek or a river trek at Goshen’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Individuals can find adventure with a High Adventure Base Trip to a National or local High Adventure with a council contingent run by the NCAC High Adventure Committee. Order of the Arrow members should also make note of GOAT, the Goshen OA Trail Crew.

And of course, for those ages 14 and up who just cannot get enough summer camp, there is always the option to join summer camp staff!

There are so many options that all this is only a brief summary! View the 2023 NCAC Summer Camp Guide for details and pictures on all the possibilities for your summer. Get outdoors, have fun, and #adventureon!

www.ncacbsa.org/summer-adventure

BSA Troop 706 is a Cut Above in Serving Cub Scouts: Pinewood Derby Cut -Out Day

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Troop 706B, sponsored by Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Potomac, Maryland, hosted their annual Pinewood Derby Cut -Out Day on Jan 7.  For over 20 years, the troop has been assisting our next generation of Boy Scouts by offering this fun filled Cub Scout event.  Cub Scouts, along with an adult, started with a safety briefing, then entered the cutting room where they designed their cars, work with the trained T 706 leaders to cut their cars, sanded and then weighted in for accuracy. The many tools, industrial machinery and complex vacuuming system was all provided by the youth and adults leadership of troop.  Together, they helped to cut over 360 cars for the upcoming Pinewood Derby season!

 

25th Anniversary Venturing Lock-In

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The Venturing program is what many scouts do to have more adventurous activities while still staying true to the scouting principles that draw so many to scouting. This year, Venturing turns 25 years old! To celebrate, the Council Venturing Officers’ Association (CVOA), is hosting a lock-in at Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria, VA.

This will be an amazing opportunity with opportunities to rock climb, work on requirements for the mountaineering aspect of the Ranger award, hang out with some of the amazing scouts and Venturers in the council, and celebrate a milestone achievement for the Venturing community. This event is open to Venturers and non-Venturers. All that is required is that someone be of Venturing age (14 to 21 years old) and interested in doing some climbing.

The lock-in will be February 10-11, from 9 pm to 9 am. Sign-up can be completed using this link (https://forms.gle/9Xx3Bk9MckR85UYU7).

I look forward to seeing many of you there. Join us as we lead the adventure!

NCAC Welcomes New Scout Executive/CEO

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Mario Perez Heads National Capital Area Council, BSA

JANUARY 5, 2023, WASHINGTON, DC — The National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America (NCAC) is pleased to announce Mario Perez as Scout Executive/CEO as of January 1, 2023. Craig Poland, the former CEO and Scout Executive, retired on December 31, 2022.

Since 2019, Perez served as Deputy Scout Executive/Chief Operating Officer of the NCAC. Previously, he served as the Scout Executive/CEO of the Yucca Council, Boy Scouts of America. Yucca Council serves nearly 5,000 youth and over 2,200 volunteers throughout West Texas and Southern New Mexico. Over a twenty-one year career, Perez has successfully served four BSA Councils and helped to achieve Council objectives in the development and implementation of programs for Scouts of all ranks. His aptitude to work with youth and adults from diverse backgrounds and socio-economic conditions (rural, urban, multi-cultural, corporate, military etc.) has helped in the accomplishment of successful volunteer recruitment, youth membership growth, innovative fund-raising programs and creative youth program delivery.

Perez grew up in western Kansas, where his parents and three siblings still reside. He is a graduate of West Texas A&M University in Canyon TX, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is a Vigil Honor member in the Order of the Arrow and completed his Wood Badge ticket in 2006.

“We are excited to have Mario Perez lead the National Capital Area Council,” said Jim Morgan, NCAC Council President. “As Deputy Scout Executive, he has demonstrated his leadership ability during the last few years through the pandemic and its related challenges. I’m confident his proven skills coupled with his vision for the future will keep our Council at the forefront of the Scouting movement in this region and the entire nation.”

“Mario Perez’s hard work and dedication have always been appreciated by our Board,” added Morgan H. Sullivan, NCAC Executive Vice President. “We have been fortunate to depend on his experienced management these last few years. Now, his leadership will take the NCAC forward and benefit even more of the youth in our region by providing the highest-quality Scouting program possible.”

“Over the next few years, my strategic goals are to purposefully connect with community partners to increase our service to the community, to establish new Scouting programs throughout our region with conviction, and to lead the implementation of a far-reaching Strategic Plan that will lay the foundation for the next 25 years of Scouting in National Capital Area Council,” said Perez.

In 2022, the Council’s theme was “Adventure On.” Last year, our Scouts performed more than 440,000 hours of service to the community, 1,263 Scouts attained the highest rank of Eagle, and 5,372 youth experienced the outdoors at one of our camps.

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About Scouts, BSA and the National Capital Area Council

Scouts, BSA provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life. ™ The Scouting organization is composed of 1,042 million youth members between the ages of 6 and 21 and volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information, please visit www.Scouting.org.

National Capital Area Council was organized in 1911 and today stands as one of the oldest and the Council with the largest youth membership in America, at just under 34,000 Scouts. The Council territory includes the District of Columbia; Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland; and in Virginia the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Stafford and Culpeper as well as the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, Manassas Park and Fredericksburg in Virginia; and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, please visit www.NCACBSA.org.