We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Articles

Director David Henrie Invites NCAC to Digital Movie Premiere

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Hey NCAC Scouts! Director David Henrie has teamed up with us for the live premiere of my new movie “This is the Year.” The movie will premiere this Friday, August 28 at 7:30pm!

We know this summer has been a little different than expected so  wanted to give you a chance to see a great summer movie with your family. Plus, for that extra Scout Spirit, you’ll get discounted tickets to join a live pre-show Q&A with the movie’s stars, an after party hosted by TikTok stars Charli & Dixie D’Amelio, a special performance from lovelytheband, and you might even get the chance to meet my onscreen little sister, Selena Gomez.

Every ticket purchased helps raise money for the PLUS1 COVID-19 relief fund, so you get to do a good turn too.

I hope you’ll all join me and invite your friends to be a Scout with us at the “This is the Year” movie premiere.

Purchase your tickets today at a discounted price! Just use the promo code: SCOUTS!

Missing Summer Day Camp or Resident Camp?

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 Get ready to have some FUN! This summer, Cub Scout aged youth and everyone in the family can have fun and participate in outdoor adventures. Some can be done virtually if that is safer, but try to get outdoors as much as possible!

The best news? You don’t have to be in Cub Scouts to participate. Simply visit https://www.ncacbsa.org/cubspa/ for full program details and download a passport to get started. Parents and siblings are invited to participate. And if you’ve completed any of these activities already since Memorial Day, those count too! The program runs through Labor Day. There is no cost to participate.

Simply choose two or more adventures from each category on the passport. As they are completed, parents and guardians will sign and date each box. When two boxes in each category completed, upload the completed passport and you’ve earned the patch.

Don’t wait until you’ve started your passport to reserve your patch. Order patches for the entire family now by clicking here. Patches are $5 each.

Bonus Advancement
In addition to the patch, most of these activities satisfy requirements in your Cub Scout’s handbook.
• Parents and guardians, go over your Cub Scouts requirements with them in their Cub Scout Handbook for specific requirements that you can work on while completing the passport.
• Email your Cub Scout’s Cubmaster or Den Leader with what your Scout completed and the date so your unit can track their advancement.
• Since we don’t have traditional camps this year, completing the passport meets the requirements for Day Camp, Homecamping and Webelos Resident Camp.

Not a Scout yet? Both girls and boys entering Kindergarten through 5th grade this fall can sign up now to start their Scouting journey. For more information, send a note to ncac.cub.summer.camp@gmail.com.
Connect on Facebook with other Cub Scout Parents in the National Capital Area: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ncac.cubscouts/

Share on social media: @NCACBSA #cubscoutsncac @ncacbsa #cubscoutsncac

Microscope + Camping = FUN !!!

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Hey Scouts! Have you ever wondered what nature looks like under a microscope? What tiny creatures are in a drop of water? What a blade of grass or a leaf looks like when you get REALLY close to it? What the wings of a fly look like up close?

This summer you can explore nature with a folding microscope. When you Family Camp at either Goshen Scout Reservation or Camp Snyder, you will receive a free, 140 power magnification microscope so you can see nature in miniature.

Cubs, Webelos, Scouts BSA, Venturers and even Sea Scouts can sign up for Family Camping at Goshen Scout Reservation or Camp Snyder!

We look forward to seeing you at camp with your microscope!

Photo by: Magical Child Hood

Family – Fun – Flag – FOURTH!

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ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER? What are your plans for the 4th of July? We have some fun family activities planned all day for you and your Scouting family! A little exercise, cooking, crafts, advancement and fun all day!

FLAGS! Flags are FUN! Do you love flags? Most every rank has an activity or adventure involving a flag ceremony or learning about flags. (Cub Scouts, check out Wolf – Council Fire, Bear – Paws for Action, and Arrow of Light – Building a Better World. Scouts BSA check Scout, Tenderfoot, and Second Class.) Make a short video showing your own Fun Flag activity—special kudos if you do it while dressed as your favorite superhero or historical figure. Your videos will be featured on Facebook. So, get busy and show us your Scouting patriotism!!

FOOD! We are having a BAKE-OFF! At noon we will kick off our Scout Bake-off hosted by the NCAC Council Venturing Officers Association with a competition making Patriotic Pancakes.

FITNESS! Do you have what it takes to climb the Washington Monument? Try our exercise challenge!

FRIENDS! Let’s do a Good Turn for people who serve!

More FLAGS! Take our semaphore signaling challenge! Can you read messages sent with semaphore flags?

More FOOD! Homemade ice cream is a sweet treat on a summer day.

FIREWORKS! Have a blast on the 4th, and tell us about your day on Facebook and at weownadventure.com

Start working on your Fun Flag video. Send a link to your video to summer2020@ncacbsa.org by June 26 and start looking for pancake recipes.

Keep checking www.ncacbsa.org/summer/ for more information!

Guidance on Resuming In-Person Scouting Activities

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In March of this year, the National Capital Area Council Executive Board made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone all in-person Scouting meetings, events, and activities due to COVID-19.  Since that time, Scouting has successfully continued through our Scouting at Home program.  We appreciate the great effort of our volunteers and staff in making this happen.

Recently, the states and counties comprising NCAC have started to relax COVID-19 restrictions related to in person gatherings.  This is good news and has many people excited to resume face-to-face Scout activities.

As there is a significant variance in the state and county phased reopening programs being implemented across our Council’s territory, it is difficult to provide an “all inclusive” statement for all of our NCAC units. As such, we would like to provide the following general guidance regarding resumption of in person Scouting activities.

  • The Unit Key Three should determine what activities and in person gatherings are permitted for the county in which the unit is chartered. 
  • The Key Three should then work with the adult committee to determine if the unit is prepared to begin in person meetings or activities. 
  • If consensus exists among the adult committee members, the Key Three should consult with the Chartered Partner to secure their support for the resumption of in person meetings or activities.
  • It is the responsibility of the unit’s Key Three and adult committee to understand and ensure all state/county restrictions and required Covid-19 safety precautions are taken.  Units traveling to other states/destinations for camp/activities are responsible for knowing and adhering to the restrictions and precautions of those areas.
  • Units following the restrictions and administering the precautions are covered by the BSA insurance program.
  • In addition to precautions required by states and counties we ask you to incorporate the processes included in BSA’s Restart Scouting Checklist as you resume unit activities.

We know everyone is excited to begin outdoor, in person Scouting activities.  We ask that you “do your best” to follow the guidance provided here and work with your adult committee and chartered organization to ensure a safe Scouting experience.

NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award for Unit Scouters!

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In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the National Capital Area Council (NCAC)’s Scouting at Home Award was introduced to encourage Scouts of all ages to stay home and be safe, while continuing to be a Scout. Scouts seeking to earn the award are supported and mentored by Unit Scouters, who during the pandemic are going the extra mile to make a difference in their units, in Scouting families, and in their communities. The NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award for Unit Scouters recognizes these Unit Scouters for meeting the challenge of instilling the Scout Oath and Law in others while the pandemic requires social distancing to be in place.

Unit Scouters who lead their units in providing community service, promote Scout advancement during the pandemic, seek to improve as a leader by taking training, broaden Scouts’ capabilities by providing instruction in Scouting skills, provide Scouts opportunities through virtual meetings, and encourage Scouts to practice the Scout Oath and Law through individual acts of kindness, earn the Scouting at Home 2020 Award for Unit Scouters.

For specific details or to obtain the requirement sheet, see https://www.scoutingevent.com/082-scoutingathomeaward.

Introducing the NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award!

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In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) is encouraging Scouts of all ages to stay home and be safe, while continuing to be a Scout! Scouts are always prepared to explore, discover, learn, and grow, and serve our families and communities, no matter the situation, time, or place. The NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award recognizes Scouts for meeting the challenge of living by the Scout Oath and Law while the pandemic requires social distancing to be in place.

Cub Scouts who meet specific requirements for home conservation and preparedness, learn about STEM, pursue a Cub adventure, learn Scouting skills, participate in a den virtual meeting, and participate in community service earn the Scouting at Home 2020 Award patch.

Youth in Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scouts who meet specific requirements for home conservation and preparedness, assist with a family virus prevention plan, make progress toward advancement, learn Scouting skills, take part in a Patrol virtual meeting, and participate in community service earn the Scouting at Home 2020 Award patch.

For specific details, to obtain the requirement sheets, or to pre-order patches, see https://www.scoutingevent.com/082-scoutingathomeaward.

NCAC Response to COVID-19

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UPDATE 5/14/2020: NCAC summer camp programs have been cancelled for 2020. Alternative summer programs will be announced soon.

UPDATE 4/30/2020: “Scouting at Home” has been extended until further notice. Please see this post for details.

UPDATE 4/2/2020: The Marriott Scout Service Center will be closed until further notice. Please contact your District Executive or staff adviser for assistance.

As always, your safety and the safety of all our members, volunteers, and employees is our top priority. We know there are questions and concerns about how COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, could affect local Scouting programs in National Capital Area Council. Please know that we are monitoring developments regarding COVID-19 both locally and through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The following information regarding local events and prevention measures is based on the latest available guidance. As this is an evolving situation, this information is subject to change. We will continue to update you on relevant developments, and we appreciate your understanding of any necessary adjustments in the interest of health and safety.

Status of Council Events

After much discussion by NCAC’s Executive Board, it has been decided that all in-person Council and District events, activities, and meetings will be postponed or cancelled. This decision has been made out of an abundance of caution and concern for the health of our Scouts, Scouters, and their families.  [Note: this paragraph has been edited. Please see this post for details.]

Further, NCAC strongly suggests that individual Scout units follow this policy. The final decision on continued unit activities will be the responsibility of the unit committee in consultation with their chartered organization and, in some cases, their meeting facilities until such time as new guidance is issued by the CDC. 

We strongly encourage that districts, units, and council committees consider using technology to continue with as many of their normally scheduled meetings and events as possible. Free or low-cost options include Free Conference Call, Skype, and Google Hangouts.

Summer Programs

Currently, all summer programming – day camps, summer camps, etc. – will continue as planned. We will be extending the Goshen early bird registration deadline to April 30 in order to give units more flexibility in planning. The Reduced Price Early Bird Deadline for all NCAC Day Camps and Twilight Camps has been extended through Thursday, April 30.  The Priority Deadline for all NCAC Day Camp and Twilight Camp camperships has also been extended through Wednesday, April 15. 

Council Facilities

The National Capital Scout Shop, and North Virginia Scout Shop will closed indefinitely. Please feel free to find all your Scouting needs on scoutstuff.org!

Our council camping facilities will be closed through April 30. If you have an existing reservation, we will give your unit credit for a future date.

Event Refunds

When possible, we are encouraging events to reschedule for a later date. If you are registered for an event that gets postponed, your registration will be transferred to the new date. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled event, you may request a refund according to our standard policy.

For events that are cancelled outright, we are in the process of reviewing our council refund policy. Given the number of events, and that many events have already incurred substantial costs for supplies and reservation fees, it may be difficult to issue full refunds. Our team is working to determine what is possible.

If you are able to do so, please consider not requesting a refund and allowing your registration fee to support Scouting. This will help us offset the costs and lost income from cancelled events.

BSA Polices to Prevent the Spread of Illness

The Boy Scouts of America continues to have policies and procedures in place that help protect participants from contracting an illness at large Scouting events. These include the Annual Health and Medical Record and the Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist.

Everyday Preventive Measures

Even with those important policies in place, it is critical that we all take these everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:

  • Stay home when you feel sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash your hands before and after doing so. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve/elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 
  • Do not share personal items such as cups, water bottles, eating utensils, etc.
  • Avoid shaking hands. A Scout salute or wave will suffice.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should isolate and not attend any Scouting events. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Should you have any questions or concerns about a specific upcoming event or activity, please reach out to your district executive. We will do everything we can to answer your question using the information available to us. 

Scouting At Home Challenge!

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Are you ready for the 30 day Scouting At Home challenge? Scout families take on the challenge of keeping your skills sharp by Scouting at Home and including the entire family. Participate in activities and adventures that are fun, exciting and informative!

If your family is up for the challenge for the next 30 days at 5pm share a picture or video of your family’s Scouting At Home activity on Facebook and hashtag #ScoutingAtHome! We can’t wait to see all the NCAC challengers and share them with other Scouts. Challenge begins Thursday, 3/19/2020 at 5pm!

Follow us @ncacbsa on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and be sure to hashtag #ScoutingAtHome!

Scout Service Center Closing

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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently recommended canceling all gatherings of 10 or more people. As that maximum will apply to most Scouting units, we are strongly recommending that in-person unit activities be suspended. We are investigating resources to facilitate distance learning and collaboration. The ultimate decision lies with your unit committee, but we encourage you to model good citizenship and public health in your decisions. 

National Capital Area Council is committed to keeping our Scouting families safe and modeling Citizenship in our Community. To that end, the Marriott Scout Service Center will be closed to the public until further notice.

Our office may be shut, but we are not closed for business! All staff will be working remotely. If you need assistance from your District Executive or other team member, please contact them via email or cell phone. Staff contact information is located at https://www.ncacbsa.org/staff.  
To support units in their fundraising efforts, the Camp Card sale will be extended through June 15. Please contact Barb Perez for more information. If you have not yet received your camp cards, your District Executive will contact you to arrange delivery. It is very important to the continuation of our units and Council program to ensure the success of this fundraising event. Life Scouts and others working on awards with an age or time deadline should contact their District Executive with questions. Many requirements for these awards can be completed virtually. We are currently working with BSA to secure guidance on extensions and other challenges caused by this unprecedented public health event.

Watch the NCAC Facebook page or https://www.ncacbsa.org/covid for updates.
If you have an emergency or a youth protection issue, please contact Deputy Scout Executive Mario Perez immediately. He can be reached at 915-491-4473.

For all other issues, you are encouraged to call MSSC at 301-530-9360 and leave a message. We will have limited staff coverage but will do our best to return your call within 48 hours.As we work together to get through this challenge, it is important to remember the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Let’s do all we can to support each other and help those who need our assistance most.

As we work together to get through this challenge, it is important to remember the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Let’s do all we can to support each other and help those who need our assistance most.

Help Celebrate NCAC Camping Centennial at Camp Snyder’s Work Days for All

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Celebrate 100 years of NCAC summer camping by helping Camp Snyder get ready for the summer! Earn service hours and a free Camping Centennial patch for working on projects.

Open to all Scouts, Cubs through Venturers, and Families. Projects for all skill levels, which may include building and installing bird houses, splitting and stacking logs, staining and painting, digging and installing sign posts, assembling traffic barriers.

Be sure to bring work gloves, lunch, water, sunscreen and insect repellant. Check for ticks when departing. And, wear old clothing that can get dirty or stained with paint. No scout uniforms and no open toed shoes or sandals. Check In/Out at the Admin Building at the Camp Entrance.

Join us on Saturday, April 4th and/or Sunday, May 17th, from 9am to 4 pm. Come for the day or just part of the day!

Free registration at https://scoutingevent.com/082-35883

See you on April 4th and/or May 17th!

 

General David L. Goldfein Receives the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

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The D.C. chapter of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) was proud to present the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award to Gen. David L. Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, yesterday evening at the Air Force Association in Arlington, VA.

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is the National Eagle Scout Association’s highest recognition. The Award was established to recognize Eagle Scouts who, after 25 years or longer of having received the Eagle Scout Award, have reached the highest national level of success in their field. In addition, these recipients have demonstrated a strong record of volunteer leadership service to their community.

Many gathered in celebration of Gen. Goldfein’s accomplishment including the Honorable Barbara Barrett, Distinguished Eagle Scouts: Brigadier General Charles McGee, Michael Pocalyko, and Bray Barnes as well National Capital Area Council, BSA Cub Scouts Liam Finley of Pack 1101 and Caden Coffee of Pack 1344.

Goldfein left the Scouts with sound advice and continued a military tradition gifting them a Challenge Coin, challenging the young Scouts to pursue Eagle rank.  Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, also graciously awarded Gen. Goldfein with picture of an Eagle, along with a picture of the two.

This award ceremony brought together civic-minded individuals and constituents from throughout the DMV community in an event that recognizes and celebrates the importance of Scouting in guiding and developing youth from generation to generation.

To learn more about the National Eagle Scout Association please visit https://nesa.org/ or https://www.ncacbsa.org/about-ncac/nesa/.

TUSKEGEE AIRMAN RECEIVES NCAC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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Troop 96 of the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) today honored retired Air Force Brigadier General Charles McGee with its Lifetime Achievement award. The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at his home in Bethesda, MD, was established in 2013 and is given in recognition of individuals whose accomplishments embody the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law.

General McGee stated, “If more people lived their lives by the Scout Oath and Law, the world would be a lot better off.”

As an active member of Boy Scouts in his youth, McGee earned the title of Distinguished Eagle Scout and received the Silver Beaver award for his outstanding service. The veteran continued to display his leadership capabilities throughout his 30-year military career, earning numerous decorations from the Bronze Star to the Hellenic Republic WWII Commemorative Medal. Most recently, McGee received the honorary promotion to Brigadier General in December 2019, which was announced last week during President Trump’s State of the Union address. The 100-year old Brigadier General McGee has had a busy couple of weeks – from his appearance presiding over the coin toss at Superbowl LIV to being recognized at the State of the Union address to a book signing ceremony this past Saturday at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum celebrating Black History month, where he was featured as part of its African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space program.

“We are extremely proud to recognize retired Brigadier General Charles McGee for his tremendous accomplishments on behalf of this nation and in the world of Scouting,” said Scout Executive Craig Poland. “Brigadier General McGee not only meets the criteria for this selective award – he more than surpasses it. The values embodied in Scouting are reflected in his daily life and work.”

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Born in Cleveland in 1919, McGee enlisted in the Army on October 26, 1942. Upon earning his pilot’s wings, McGee joined the Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African American military pilots in the Armed Forces. During his extensive military career, he accumulated over 6,300 total hours, flew tactical missions attacking enemy airfields, and took part in top-secret rescue missions. In 2011, McGee was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.

McGee, a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Military Order of World Wars, and the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., now spends his time sharing his life experiences by speaking in support of the Black Heritage and Youth Career motivation programs.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given in recognition of a person’s noteworthy personal and/or professional accomplishments, his dedication to America and because he lives the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law. Past recipients of this award include Bill Marriott Jr., former Gov. Haley Barbour, Thomas J. Donohue, Jacob Stein and Michael Daniels.

2026 Supernova STEM Event Hosted by Piedmont District

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Warrenton, VA — Cub Scout Pack 1161 and Pack 1166 enjoyed a Saturday afternoon at Rady Park learning all about our Solar System, Circuitry, Geocaching, preforming Rocket Nozzle Experiments and so much more! Thank you to Phil McBride for hosting such a wonderful event – the Scouts had a BLAST!

STEM learning is an essential part of Scouting because it encourages curiosity, creativity, and hands‑on problem‑solving — skills that help young people understand the world around them. Activities like exploring our solar system, experimenting with circuitry, and practicing navigation through geocaching give Scouts the chance to see science, technology, engineering, and math come alive in memorable ways. These experiences don’t just teach concepts; they help Scouts build confidence as they test ideas, try new methods, and learn through discovery.

Each Cub Scout rank now includes at least one STEM Elective Adventure, ensuring that every young Scout has opportunities to dive into science, technology, engineering, and math at an age‑appropriate level. Whether they’re wiring simple circuits, learning how GPS technology works, studying the planets, or experimenting like real engineers, these adventures lay the foundation for future interest in STEM fields. More importantly, they spark excitement — showing Scouts that learning can be active, imaginative, and fun. Opportunities like our Piedmont District event at Rady Park reinforce that spirit of exploration and inspire our Scouts to keep asking questions, building things, and looking toward the stars!

 

        

Cub Scout Day Camp: The Life of a Den Walker

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Learn About the Vital Role of the Den Walker at Cub Scout Day Camp

In the March installment of our 2026 Cub Scout Day Camp Webinar Series, our Day Camp leadership team highlights the essential role of the Den Walker—a key position that helps ensure every Scout has a safe, fun, and successful camp experience.

This session is perfect for parents attending camp with their Cub Scout, adults interested in serving as Staff Den Walkers, and anyone who wants to better understand how parents and volunteers support daily operations and program delivery at camp. The webinar provides practical insights and a behind-the-scenes look at how Den Walkers contribute to a positive and memorable Day Camp experience for our Scouts.

If you couldn’t join us live, we’ve got you covered.

Missed the webinar?
👉 Watch the recording here:

We encourage all families and volunteers to take advantage of this valuable resource as we prepare for another outstanding summer at Cub Scout Day Camp.

Download the slides from the webinar here: Cub Scout Day Camp: The Life of a Den Walker [PDF]

Need more resources? Sign up and prepare for your week of Day Camp at www.gotodaycamp.org

Cub Scout Earns Medal of Merit for Helping Rescue Child from Drowning

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In 2025 Nate, a Cub Scout in Pack 107, used what he learned from Scouting to recognize and help a young child from drowning. Because of his heroic efforts, Nate was just recently honored with the prestigious Medal of Merit. Read his full story given to us by his dad, an Eagle Scout, who recollected what happened while they were on vacation in Texas.

“During spring break last year, our family was vacationing in Galveston, Texas. While at the hotel pool, Nate was swimming in the deep end when a younger child—approximately four to five years old—jumped into the pool while his family was not nearby. Almost immediately, it became clear that the child was unable to swim and could not touch the bottom. He began struggling to stay afloat and was having difficulty keeping his head above water.

Nate immediately recognized what was happening and swam over to help without hesitation. Although Nate himself could not touch the bottom and the water was above his head, he positioned himself next to the child and began treading water while lifting the child up repeatedly to keep his head above the surface. Nate’s own head went under the water several times as he continued supporting the child until the child’s older brother arrived. Together, they were able to help the child to safely reach the side of the pool and get out of danger.

As you can imagine, the child’s family was extremely grateful and relieved. Nate was proud that he knew what to do and had the confidence to act in a difficult and unexpected situation. As an Eagle Scout, what stood out most to me afterward was how quickly he connected the experience to the values he is learning through scouting. Nate talked about stories he had read in Scout’s Life that describe scouts helping others during emergencies, and he shared how this experience reminded him of the Scout Oath and Law—particularly the importance of helping others at all times. He was able to reflect on the moment not just as an event, but as a real-life example of putting those values into action.

We were incredibly proud of Nate, and the experience further strengthened both his—and our—enthusiasm for scouting and its values. We are excited to share this story with more families and to highlight for our community the positive impact scouting has on those involved, as well as the meaningful difference scouts can make through service to others.”

 

Scouting America Statement Concerning Department of War Announcement. 

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IRVING, TX (February 27, 2026)  – Scouting America issued the following statement today following the Department of War’s announcement.    

Scouting America is proud to uphold our longstanding commitment to military families across the globe through a renewed, strengthened partnership with the Department of War. Over several months, we engaged in dialogue with Department leadership to align on how we could deepen our service to military families, while making programmatic updates to comply with Executive Order 14173. 

Today we are moving forward with implementing new programmatic elements that deliver on that mission: waiving registration fees for military families, launching a new merit badge focused on military service and veterans, and reinforcing our commitment to Scouting’s foundational ideas: leadership, character, duty to God, duty to country and service.  

Throughout this engagement, Scouting America held firm on the core commitments that define us. We maintained our name as ‘Scouting America’ and preserved our service to the more than 200,000 girls who participate in our programs. Girls have been an integral part of Scouting since the 1960s and have served as leaders and program developers for decades. That commitment is unwavering.  

Our primary objective throughout this engagement was to maintain support for families who depend on us. Since 1910, more than 130 million Americans have passed through Scouting’s ranks. Millions of those alumni have gone on to serve as officers and enlisted leaders in our military, teachers, entrepreneurs and first responders.   

Scouting America is one of the most reliable pipelines to the United States Armed Forces our country has ever known. Scouts are significantly more likely to serve in uniform than the general population. Eagle Scouts are heavily represented in ROTC programs, service academies and military leadership tracks. Scouts contribute millions of hours of service to their communities each year. The leadership, discipline and responsibility developed through Scouting translate into adulthood as public service, civic engagement and a readiness to lead.  

Tens of thousands of Scouts participate in units that meet on or near military installations in the U.S. and abroad. For children who move frequently, whose parents deploy, and whose lives are shaped by uncertainty, Scouting is often the one constant: a uniform, a community, a set of values that travel with them wherever they go. 

Today’s affirmation deepens a 116-year partnership that greatly benefits our Armed Forces and our communities. Together, we strengthen military families, support readiness and help raise generations of Americans committed to service. Scouting America looks forward to strengthening a partnership that maximizes impact for America’s youth. Scouts will continue to put duty to country above duty to self.

About Scouting America   

Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”   

Scouting invites every youth to a safe, fun place to learn, explore, and grow. More than 130 million Americans have been through our programs since our founding. Currently, nearly 1 million youth are served by almost 500,000 adult volunteers in local Councils throughout the country.   

To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit www.BeAScout.org.   

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Media Contact   

PR@Scouting.org   

Scouting America Statement link: https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/scouting-america-statement-concerning-department-of-war-announcement/

 

Scouts in the Snow: A Good Turn for Their Community

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Troop 128 from McLean, VA was recognized by the Fairfax County Times for their service to their charter organization and the community during the recent snowstorm.

Scouts from McLean’s Troop 128 strengthened their long‑standing relationship with their charter organization, St. John’s Episcopal Church, by clearing snow and ice from the church grounds after the recent winter storm. Their work ensured that parishioners, staff, and community members could safely access the church, reflecting the troop’s deep commitment to supporting the place that has supported them for generations. After helping St. John’s, the Scouts extended that same spirit of service to nearby residents in need — demonstrating how their partnership with the church naturally extends into meaningful service throughout the McLean community.

Read their feature here: the Fairfax County Times

Camp Catoctin 2026

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Attend Camp Catoctin for 2026 Summer

Camp Catoctin is one of only a few all-volunteer, nationally accredited Scouting America camps in the United States. With over 60 years of history, Camp Catoctin has evolved from a small weekend camp-out to a week-long resident camp serving over 200 youth. Camp Catoctin staff are local volunteers, trained professionals, and represent generations of Scouts.

When:
Camp Catoctin will be held August 10 – 16, 2026. Campers will arrive Monday, August 10th at a pre-scheduled time in the afternoon and depart the morning of Sunday, August 16th. Merit badge programming will run from Tuesday morning through Saturday evening.

Where:
Camp Catoctin will be returning to Catoctin Mountain Park, NPS. Set in rich history and lush forest, this area boasts impressive scenery and fresh mountain air perfect to backdrop a Scouting adventure.

Cost:
$475 per camper and $155 per adult leader.

Camperships are financial aid available to Scouts with demonstrated need and are available by application. No Scout should be denied the experience of summer camp. To request an application, please email Diane Henson, Business Manager at dhenson@gotocampcatoctin.org.

Registration:
A $25 deposit per Scout is due May 1st with full payments due May 31st. Scouts must be paid in full before selecting merit badges.

Registration is now open!
https://gotocampcatoctin.org/