We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Archives for June 2024

Loudoun Scouts Host District Camp at Murray Hill

by

This week, our favorite wedding venue in Loudoun County has been taken over by nearly 130 Cub Scouts from dens all around the area!

The Barn at Murray Hill, just east of Leesburg, is now the site for this year’s Goose Creek District day camp. Scouts from first through fifth grade are here, and it’s the first time that the awesome owners, Peggy and John Rust, have let us use their property.

We started camp on Monday, but on Sunday, our amazing adult and youth leaders transformed the venue into a scout paradise, just hours after a wedding that even had an Eagle Scout groom!

Throughout the week, we’re having a blast making harmonicas and slingshots, learning first aid, improving our wilderness and sports skills, practicing with bow and arrows and BB rifles, and trying to catch fish in the pond. Nurses from the GW School of Nursing are running our First Aid station, ensuring we’re safe while having fun.

Our staff is a mix of volunteers of all ages, from seasoned scouters whose kids have aged out but who still love to be involved to young adults who have just crossed over and brand-new Scouts who have just joined a Troop. We have Cub Scouts of all ages here, from new Tigers to Arrow of Light scouts. It’s been an unforgettable adventure!

Scouting C.A.R.E.S Closed Out the Year with a Tent Pitching Event!

by

On June 3rd, the field at Suitland Elementary School transformed into a bustling campground as the Scouting C.A.R.E.S students embarked on an exciting outdoor activity. The air was filled with laughter, enthusiasm, and the rustle of nylon as young explorers gathered for their tent-pitching day!

Students learned all about outdoor living, learning the ins and outs of various tent types. From cozy two-person shelters perfect for dynamic duos to spacious four-person ones for family outings, the students got hands-on experience with a wide range of camping accommodations. Instructors guided the children through each step of the tent-pitching process, revealing the secrets of poles, stakes, and rain flies. Eventually, the students transformed the assortment of materials into a temporary home.

Once the tents were up, it was time to explore. Students crawled inside, sprawled out on the tent floors, and let their imaginations run wild.

This hands-on experience provided more than just practical skills – it sparked a sense of adventure and appreciation for the great outdoors. As they worked together to solve problems and create shelter, the students learned valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of accomplishing something with their own two hands.

As the day drew to a close, it was clear that this tent-pitching adventure had been the perfect sendoff for summer vacation. With new skills under their belts and a taste for outdoor exploration, these young campers are ready to embrace a summer full of fun and discovery.

Who knows? The next family camping trip might just have a new expert tent-pitcher in charge!

 

This Scout’s Concern for his Grandmother Saved her Life!

by

The Medal of Merit may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a rare or exceptional act of service that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others. At the National Capital Area Council Court of Honor held on June 2, 2024, Thomas (TJ) D. was awarded the Medal of Merit as the youth member.

For several days Thomas (TJ) had been going to his grandmother’s house to help her when she had been not feeling well. On the fourth day, TJ went over a bit later than normal and found her on the ground. TJ asked her how long she had been on the floor, and she told him that she had fallen around 7 or 8 a.m. It was after 5 p.m. TJ called parents to help. As his mother called 911, TJ and his father got his grandmother in a sitting position, but she continued to get worse. An ambulance took her to the hospital, where it was found she was extremely septic and had little kidney function due to a kidney stone blockage. A week to the day after her fall, she was home, but if TJ hadn’t helped her, she probably would not have survived.

This Scout’s Quick Thinking Saved a Man from a House Fire!

by

The National Certificate of Merit may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition.

Congratulations to Amy E. on earning the Certificate of Merit for saving a sleeping homeowner from a house fire!

Amy was walking her dog in May of 2023 when she heard a smoke detector going off.  She saw a steady stream of smoke coming out of two windows on the top level of a nearby house. While there was no car in the driveway and no lights in the house, when there was no sign of activity, she ran home to get help from an adult.  Amy’s mother called 911 and waited with Amy across the street from the house. She told the firefighters what she saw.  The firefighters entered the house and found the homeowner there.  He was asleep. There was a fire on the stovetop. The homeowner was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

These Two Scouts Expertly Applied First-Aid to Treat a Fellow Scout!

by

On June 2, 2024, at the National Capital Area Council Court of Honor, Aditya K. and Sheil S. earned the Certificate of Merit for working together to care for an injured Scout.

At about 8:50 on April 23, 2023, Senior Patrol Leader Aditya K. was called and went to see what happened when he saw his fellow Scout Sreedhar lying face up in the grass, covered in blood. He called for Sheil S, who was sitting near the campfire, to grab his first-aid kit.

Sreedhar appeared to be going into shock, so Aditya told Sreedhar to take deep and big breaths to calm him down while Sheil put on gloves and began methodically cleaning Sreedhar’s head, wiping the blood off Sreedhar’s face, noticing he had a bloody nose.

They learned that Sreedhar had run, face-first, into a tree while trying to catch a football. They checked for additional injuries, including possible dental injuries, and evaluated Sreedhar for a concussion. After treating Shreedhar’s head, Aditya and Sheil had him stand and identified a large bruise on his leg, which was treated with an ice pack.

The National Certificate of Merit may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition. Congratulations to Aditya and Sheil for being recognized for their helpfulness and first-aid skills during this incident!

2024 Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award goes to Jason!

by

 

The Glen and Melinda Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year award is presented to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by a Scout to a religious institution, a school, a community, or another entity while doing their Eagle Scout service project.

Congratulations to Jason W. on earning this year’s Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award at the 2024 NCAC Court of Honor!

Jason is a 16-year-old Eagle Scout with Troop 1094 in Darnestown, Maryland. He and his family travel around the United States. Their goal is to see all 50 states by the time he graduates high school. He plans to attend college to become a wildlife biologist.

Jason’s Eagle project was to build a ½ acre pollinator habitat in Poolesville. “When it came time to plan my Eagle project, I knew it was important to me to make an environmental impact.” The day of Jason’s project it poured buckets of rain, but 60 people arrived and planted 300 plants. His next goal is to earn the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award. Scan the QR Code to watch a video explanation!