We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Articles

Scouts Seek Yeti as part of Burke Lake, Prince William Districts’ Annual Klondike Derby Campout

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The Scouts and Scouters from Troops 1107 B and G in Springfield, Virginia, Accotink Bay District, braved the cold along with 20 other troops from across NCAC for the annual Burke Lake and Prince William Districts’ Klondike Derby, held at Camp William B. Snyder from January 24 – 26, 2025.

The Scouts from Troop 1107 B and G were the only Scouts who camped Friday into Saturday, braving the frigid 8°F, and were recognized for their feat.

In all, 203 Scouts and 85 volunteers participated in competitions for Scout skills and teamwork in a blanket of snow in near-freezing temperatures.

Troop 1107 Mammoths Patrol won third place in the sled race with a time of 22.58 seconds. This is the fourth Klondike Derby in a row in which the Scouts from Troop 1107 B participated. It is the first for Troop 1107G.

Additional accomplishments and activities Troop 1107 B and G did at the Klondike Derby:

Troop 1107B Mammoths built a fire to see who could burn the string in the fastest time.
Troop 1107G Jumping Frogs Patrol stands to watch over the hot water, getting ready to warm up with some hot chocolate and apple cider on Friday night.
Troop 1107G Jumping Frogs patrol created snowflakes out of staves and lashings.

Details and photos provided by Natalie Dreier, Troop 1107 B/G, Accotink Bay District – Vice Chair for Social Media 

Captions credited to Jim Dreier, Accotink Bay District Commissioner.

Building a Memorial for a Fallen Scout

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Yoi S-F. completed his Eagle Board of Review in January 2024, marking the end of an incredible chapter in his Scouting journey. For his Eagle Project, he set out on a goal to memorialize a fellow Scout: a bike rack and repair station at Winston Churchill High School. This project will stand as a lasting memorial to Jacob Cassell, who tragically passed away while biking down Old Georgetown Road at 17 on July 31st, 2019. From advocating for bike lanes at Montgomery County meetings in his early teens to creating a successful fundraiser, Yoi’s dedication to this cause is a testament to his unwavering citizenship and character!

Jacob Brian Cassell, who was born with autism, left an incredible mark on the special-needs community. His service extended beyond borders, from mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Honduras, to his active role in Boy Scout Troop 233. Jacob’s life was a testament to the power of determination and the impact one individual can have on the world.

As a Boy Scout, Jacob earned the rank of Life Scout and completed all of the requirements for Eagle except for his Eagle Scout project, which he had planned for September 2019. His family and his troop later completed his project.

Yoi’s mother showed him the article of a fellow Scout and Churchill student who had been in a tragic accident, and he realized he had also biked on Old Germantown Road with his dad on the same day. That moment is where the inspiration for his Eagle Scout project stemmed from, but Yoi wanted to do something before then. So, at 14 years old, he went to Montgomery County meetings and advocated for the bike lanes along OGR! While the state initiated this bike lane project independently, Yoi’s follow-through is an excellent example of citizenship and character.

Yoi further honored Jacob by dedicating his Eagle Scout project to building a Memorial bike rack and repair station at Winston Churchill High School, the high school they both attended. This would reflect Jacob’s love for riding his bike and the high school since Jacob was the mascot for the Winston Churchill Bulldogs, causing people not to love him because he was the Bulldog but love the Bulldog because he was Jacob Cassell. These reasons solidified Yoi’s decision to make the high school the perfect place for the memorial.

To start his Eagle Project, he went to former Principal Heckert to get approval for the project, but once she left, he had to get approval from Mr. Taylor, who was coincidentally the principal of Yoi’s middle school. After his approval, he was sent to the PTSA to discuss funding. After going back and forth between the PTSA and the school, Yoi created a GoFundMe for his project, reaching the proposed $7,500 goal within 48 hours and ending with $9,333 from over 120 donors. After another back and forth with the county about where the building site would be and waiting for the county to collect bids for the project, the finish line was finally in sight for Yoi.

Yoi found a contractor and vendor for all the materials needed for the project. The contractor poured in the concrete slab necessary to install the bike racks and repair station on October 9th, with the actual bike racks and repair station installed by October 26th. On October 28th, 2023, the repair station was painted purple, Jacob’s favorite color, marking the completion of Yoi’s Eagle Project.

Yoi donated the unspent money from his GoFundMe to the school, which paid for a memorial sign. As requested by Jacob’s father, Jacob’s bike is currently being fully restored and will be donated to a family in need so that someone else may enjoy cycling as much as Jacob did.

As Yoi stated in his GoFundMe, “Jacob Cassell was a shining member of our society. He spread his love and compassion to everyone he met. Jacob was a leader, a friend, and an inspiration to all. Above all, however, he was and forever will be our bulldog.”

Jacob’s legacy will always be remembered at Winston Churchill High School, and Yoi helped to solidify that with his project.

Citation:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/jacob-cassell-memorial-fundraiser
https://jakecassellfund.org/about-jake/
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/jconline/name/jacob-cassell-obituary?id=8980879
https://moco360.media/2020/03/08/remembering-jake/

NCAC Scouts Honor Former President Carter

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On January 7, 2025, NCAC Scouts and leaders from Troop 500, Troop 544, and Troop 98 in Washington, D.C., and Troop 1107 in Springfield, VA, paid their respects as former President Jimmy Carter was lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

Lying in state in the United States is the rare honor either authorized by a congressional resolution or approved by the congressional leadership, for a deceased member of government (or former member) whereby his or her remains are placed in the rotunda of the United States.

It is fitting that a contingent from the National Capital Area Council honored Jimmy Carter in this way as he was a long-time and dedicated Scout leader serving as a Cubmaster, Troop Committee Member, Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, and Exploring Advisor who demonstrated the Scout Oath and Law throughout his life.

Bryan Martin Firvida, Scoutmaster of Troop 98 and NCAC Executive Board Member, said, “As a group, we came to a Scout Salute three times for President Carter to represent the three parts of the Scout Oath. President Carter certainly fulfilled his Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self, and set an example for all of us to strive for. I must admit that each time we held our Scout Salute, a shiver of emotion went down my spine.”

“Our honor guard at the Rotunda in the US Capitol was absolutely spectacular, and spine chilling for me as we were saluting the President. You can all be very proud of our Scouts. To me, high adventure aside, this is part of what Scouting is all about,” Jay Eidson, NCAC International Representative.

 

Embed from Getty Images

A delegation of scouts from Scouting America’s National Capitol Area Council troops salutes as they pay their respects in front of the flag-draped casket at the Lying in State Ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC on January 8, 2025. Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Samuel Corum / AFP) (Photo by SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images) (SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images)

[Read more...] about NCAC Scouts Honor Former President Carter

Webinar Series: Cub Scout Summer Camp

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Den Leaders and Cubmasters! Prepare for fun and get ready for 2025 Summer Camp – help your Pack and your Den Leaders find the summer camp experience that is right for them:

For current Lions and Tigers (rising Tigers and Wolves)

Day Camp is the introduction to summer camp. Cub Scouts from rising Tigers to rising Arrow of Light Scouts (AOLs) can attend Day Camp, but it is especially good for rising Tigers and rising Wolves – the first and second year campers. Cub Scouts attend with their Den Walkers during the day and return home for the evening after participating in a host of fun activities and Cub Scout Adventures. Day Camp is offered all over the National Capital Area Council with a variety of weeks to choose from.

Find upcoming webinars and view past webinars below!

Learn more about Day Camp and find a Day Camp near you at www.gotodaycamp.org

For current Wolves (rising Bears) & Everyone In Between

Bear Camp at Camp William B. Snyder is a 4 day, 3 night overnight experience especially for rising Bears focused on fun and Adventures for the Bear rank. Camp William B. Snyder in Haymarket, VA also offers Day Camp and Resident Weekends for rising Tigers and rising AOLs. Day Camp is a one week day experience as described above – but with the facilities and staff at Camp William B. Snyder – including the ship and the fort! Resident Weekends is the next step for those who are ready for an overnight experience. Day Camp and Resident Weekends have multiple sessions of camp, but Bear Camp is only offered once, so be sure to check it out!

There are no currently scheduled webinars for Bear Camp, but stay tuned for future information and learn more about Bear Camp, Day Camp, and Resident Weekends at Camp Snyder at www.gotosnyder.org

For current Bears and Webelos (rising Webelos and AOLs)

Camp Ross at Goshen Scout Reservation is a week-long camp just for rising Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts (AOLs). With lots of fun activities – including swimming, boating, fishing, archery, BB shooting, hiking, crafting, and outdoor skills – it is the an amazing opportunity for your den to learn, grow, and get ready for an awesome upcoming year of adventure in their new rank as well as prepare them for the next step of the program – Scouts BSA.

Find upcoming webinars, view past webinars, and get the toolkit below!

Learn more about Camp Ross at www.gotogoshen.org/ross

Upcoming Webinars

All webinars are at 7pm Eastern Time.

For Current Lions and Tigers (rising Tigers and Wolves)

For current Bears and Webelos (rising Webelos and AOLs)

Past Webinars and Resources

For Current Lions and Tigers (rising Tigers and Wolves)

Missed the November webinar on Cub Scout Day Camp – A Summer Adventure for Rising Tigers and Wolves? View it below.

For current Bears and Webelos (rising Webelos and AOLs)

The Washington Post Recognized an Eagle Scout Project in Virginia

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Brendan W., a Scout from Great Falls, VA, was recognized by The Washington Post for his Eagle Scout Project, which was themed around music, a subject he is very passionate about.

Brendan’s project involved collecting instruments, repairing them if necessary, and giving them to low-income youth. What was expected to be no more than 25 instruments quickly turned into over 100 instruments he collected and repaired!

Read the full article: The Washington Post

Troop 3017 Helps to Celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s Visit to Frederick, MD

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In December 1824, Frederick City, Maryland, had the honor of hosting the Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and military officer who was a key ally to the American colonists during the Revolutionary War.

Lafayette’s visit to Frederick, from December 29-31, 1824, drew crowds estimated at 6-8,000 people from all over Frederick County and the surrounding region, eager to catch a glimpse of the man who had fought alongside George Washington in the American Revolution.

On December 27, 2024, Frederick City once again celebrated Lafayette’s arrival to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of his visit. Standing before the Marquis de Lafayette, portrayed by renowned living historian Mark Schneider of Colonial Williamsburg and led by a Fife and Drum contingent, Scouts from Troop 3017 were honored to act as color guard for the event.

The Scouts spent several weeks working with the Son’s of the American Revolution to learn proper flag etiquette. Scouts learned the formal commands and how to march in unison while holding the United States, French, Maryland, and Troop flags. Scouts enjoyed working with fellow community members to represent the citizens of Frederick City and honor this important moment in history.