Have you ever heard of a bike rodeo? If you’re expecting bull riders riding bicycles at a you’ll be disappointed, but Pack 1323 from Laytonsville, MD, did something just as cool this past August. The bike rodeo was held in an open parking lot to teach Scouts bike riding safety and techniques. Scouts learned about safety inspections, hand signals, helmet safety, and safe braking. One Scout remarked how his favorite part of the event was the “Slow Race” where Scouts had to follow a large circle on the ground and ride as slowly as possible without letting their feet touch the ground. The Scout with the longest time would win! Overall the Scouts had a great time at this fun, interactive, and educational event.
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Aquia and Mattaponi Scouts Team Up to Retire Old Glory with Proper Respect and Honors
Troop 1889 of Aquia District, in conjunction with Troop 1422 of Mattaponi District, participated in a Flag Retirement ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 320 in Spotsylvania County. Troop 1889 collected about 85 tattered U.S. Flags that needed to be properly retired with due respect and honors. These were added to the several hundred that the American Legion already had gathered from the community.
On August 15, 2020, Troop 1889 Scouts (Jackson, Jake, Bobby, Wesley, Tyler, and Daniel)
and adult Scout Leaders, as well as three Scouts and the Scoutmaster from Troop 1422, reported to the American Legion at 10:00 AM to prepare the Flags and set them out on metal bars. At 2:00 PM, they all participated in the Flag Retirement Ceremony where over 350 flags were retired with dignity and honor while a bugler played taps. From the collection of worn U.S. Flags to the retirement ceremony, Scouts completed about 7 hours of community service while practicing social distancing.
The Founder of Scouting, Lord Robert Baden-Powell said: “The teaching of service is not merely a matter of teaching in theory, but the development of two distinct phases: the inculcation of the spirit of goodwill, and the provision of opportunity for its expression in practice. The teaching is mainly through example and … patriotic dedication of self to the service of [others], solely for the joy of doing it and without thought of material reward.” The Scouts of Troop 1889 and 1422 and their adult Scout Leaders clearly exemplified this kind of patriotic service in their honoring of U.S. Flags deserving of proper and respectful retirement.
A Second Aquia District Scouts BSA No-Contact Food Drive in August – Continuing to Serve Stafford Safely
As summer drew to a close, Aquia District Scouts BSA focused their efforts on helping Stafford Community residents by holding a second No Contact Food Drive on August 22, 2020, due to the planning and leadership of Aquia District Scouter Laura Curran. Scouts and their families suspended their preparations for the school year for a moment and instead did their Good Turn by collecting 4,353 pounds of food to help replenish the dwindling supplies of local Stafford County pantries.
Like the Scouts BSA food drive service project in May, the goal was to support local pantries and keep Scouts, their families, pantry volunteers and donors all safe by maintaining safe physical distancing. Scouts were asked to help in whatever way they deemed appropriate for their family’s circumstances. When Scouts answered the call, they spread the word of the event virtually, shared flyers with neighbors and donned masks to collect donations from doorsteps and driveways. Some Scout units worked with their neighborhood homeowners’ associations to share information and created neighborhood collections points. The drop off point for residents who heard about the drive was operated with safety of all at the forefront.
Stafford pantries were grateful for the donations, as the need to help those affected by the pandemic continues. The pantries are expecting a prolonged demand due to corona-virus related job loss and furloughs and still need support to continue their fight against food insecurity. Donations of food via food drives are the main source of non-perishables for these food pantries.
This coming November, Aquia District Scouts BSA will be conducting “Scouting For Food,” a national food drive Scout BSA campaign. For this event held annually in November, Scouts “Do a Good Turn” to help Stafford County and Dumfries food pantries stock their shelves, not just for the holidays, but for the months beyond.
This year’s Scouting For Food may look a little different with the added emphasis on the safety of all participants. However, Aquia District Scouts BSA will continue to do their part to meet the needs of Stafford County, their efforts perpetuated by them living the Scout Oath for service to others by “Helping Other People At All times.”
Workplace Giving Campaigns
There are several different ways you can make a difference in our council at this time. The CFC is one of the easiest, most effective ways you can support National Capital Area Council is through workplace giving, an employer-sponsored program that empowers you to support your favorite charities through tax-deductible donations deducted directly from your paycheck.
The CFC campaign kicks off on September 21st and will conclude in January. Look for us in your workplace charitable giving campaign and designate National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America #48974 as recipient of your generosity on your pledge forms.
Through our membership with America’s Charities, employees at hundreds of public and private organizations can donate to NCAC through payroll contributions.
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
CFC is a workplace giving campaign for federal employees: civilian employees, military personnel and postal workers. National Capital Area Council is a member of America’s Charities Community First federation and is listed as CFC #48974. Which begins September 21, 2020.
Unfortunately, there will not be in person charity fairs this year, they will be virtual. You can also contact Barb Perez for more information. Barb.Perez@scouting.org
Don’t forget to check if you employer will match your donation or the hours you have volunteered! Visit www.doublethedonation.org/ncacbsa.
Ryan Krauss, Top MD Scout Orienteer
Ryan Krauss from Arlington Troop 111 (Chain Bridge District), was the top Maryland Scout Orienteer on Sept. 12 at Broad Creek Scout Reservation. On a tough, rocky course, 2019 champion Nate Beardmore from 347, Prince Frederick, Western Shore, had the lead most of the way, a bit ahead of 111’s Thomas Sullivan, 347’s Duncan Santerre, one Baltimore Area Scout, and Joey Hastings from 1321 in La Plata.
Amidst rigorous COVID precautions, 320 attendees did training and orienteered on color maps as in the attached picture. In that picture, can you see two problems with whomever hopes to find north!? If not, or even if so, mark you calendar for the 45th Annual MD Scout Orienteering Day on Oct. 23, 2021 at Patuxent River Park, Upper Marlboro, Also contact Jim Chaplin at JHChaplin@comcast.net about the big 15th annual spring 2021 DC area NCAC Scout Orienteering event!
Wood Badge Critters Seen at D.C. Landmarks
A little over 100 years ago, Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, led development of a training course for adult Scouters. The course, called Wood Badge, continues as Scouting’s premier (and only worldwide) adult training program. During two weekends of classroom and camping fun, the course participants learn about leadership through lecture and practical applications. By the end of the second weekend, the participants each develop a Ticket consisting of a vision and 5 goals that are focused on making a lasting impact on their home units. Upon completion of their Tickets, the participants are honored in a celebration of the occasion—a Wood Badge Beading.
On recent beautiful Sunday afternoons, two patrols from National Capital Area Council’s Fall 2018 Wood Badge Course held patrol beadings. On Sunday afternoon, Aug 30, the Antelope Patrol —Barry Brown, Joe Laville, Greg Fairbanks, Chris Noyes, Jim Kyger, and Bryan Dierlam —gathered on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The course Scoutmaster, Doug Carlson, and Karen Purinton, Antelope Troop Guide, presided over the ceremony which included more than 30 family, friends, and Scouters. Attendees represented essentially every Scout program and age group.
Just two weeks later, on Sep 13, the Fox Patrol—Sonja Kueppers, Tam Bui, Ed Apsey, Robert Kronenberg, and Stephen Khovananth—met at another beautiful D.C. landmark, Roosevelt Island, for their patrol beading. (Note that the Foxes met in the woods while the Antelopes met in an open field—just a coincidence?!) For this ceremony, Scoutmaster Doug Carlson and Troop Guide Bryan Martin Firvida were joined by family members in officially recognizing these Scouters for their accomplishments.
The photos, including one of Antelope Bryan Dierlam and his children, William (Scout in Troop 500) and daughter, Emma (Webelos 1 in Pack 230), another of Fox Sonja Kuepper and her daughter, Erika Pfeifer (First Class in Troop 1123), and Fox Ed Apsey, his wife Margaret, and son, Odin (rising Arrow of Life in Pack 1152) are evidence that Scouting continues to have a bright future as a family movement!