We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Articles

Pinewood Derby at the U.S. Capitol!

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Yesterday, July 10, 2024, was a very exciting and energetic day for Scouting! As part of the “Scouting The Hill” reception, our Cub Scout Pack 98 from Washington, DC set up and raced a Pinewood Derby in the U.S. Capitol for members of Congress! We believe this was the very first time a Pinewood Derby was held at the Capitol. Thank you to the Pack leadership for making this happen!
The event was hosted by Scouting America in partnership with the bipartisan Scouting Congressional Caucus. We were pleased that NCAC contributed to this historic event in such a fun way for members of Congress and their staff (many who were themselves Scouts!).
Formal remarks were made by the co-chairs of the Scouting Caucus, Scouting America Scout Executive/CEO Roger Krone, and special guest COL Mike Fossum who is a former American astronaut, engineer, and the Chief Operating Officer of Texas A&M University at Galvestonand.
The Scouting Congressional Caucus comprised Congressmen who were Scouts as youth, are Scouts as adults, or who support the efforts of the international Scouting movement. NCAC was honored to assist with this legislative effort.

Leave No Trace Level 1 (Trainers) for the Philmont Rangers

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Hey, Hyattsville, MD! Grab everyone, and I mean everyone, and let’s hit the trails of Philmont Scout Ranch. Or maybe the town of Culpepper, VA, or Georgetown University’s undergrads. Let’s go, staggered over the summer. Those two towns and Georgetown each have around 20,000 residents/students. (US Census for 2023) Twenty thousand is the predicted number of Scouts and Scouters who will hit the 315 miles of trails, 220 square miles, at Philmont this summer. Many people are making a (potentially) significant impact on the environment.

How do we reduce the “considerable impact”? Have the Philmont Rangers, your guides for the start of your trek, trained as Leave No Trace Trainers (Level 1). They can assist the hiking crews in limiting their negative impact on the area and its wild inhabitants—the best way to keep the area wild for the next year and generations to come.

Philmont hosted sixteen Level 2 and Level 3 Instructors the weekend of June 7-9. We delivered a Level 1(Trainer) course to a group of Philmont Rangers. I was fortunate to be one of those instructors.

Our participants were primarily first-year Rangers, and my group came from all over the United States—from Florida to Washington State and one from our own NCAC. All had a variety of hiking backgrounds and insights. All were former Philmont crew participants and had beautiful memories of the area and their trek. Each was vested in keeping Philmont wild and available for future generations.

We were based at the Camping Headquarters area, where crews begin their Philmont adventure. This is quite a change from the June weather/humidity and lack of elevation here in the DMV.

During the two-plus days of the course, the Rangers learned how to use the Leave No Trace Principles and related activities to help perpetuate the wild adventure that is Philmont for years to come. One of the best aspects of the course was learning from one another and getting insight into the different ways of teaching and influencing the Principles of Leave No Trace.

This was a pilot program, and we plan to return next year to continue integrating Leave No Trace into the Ranger training. Maybe we’ll see you at base camp as you start your trek.

— Carol Brown

A Great and Fun Week at Scout Camp!

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Hi, I’m Eva, and I had a lot of fun at Cub Scout camp. I had so much fun that I decided to share my adventures!

   

I liked everything we did, from archery to BB’s and everything in between. The Beekeeper was a surprise but was a delight. Also, I loved tasting honey and making Bee hives with the other scouts (my dad won’t let me put the Bee hive in our backyard because it attracts carpenter bees!🤣).

I had a blast!😁 I can’t wait till next summer so I can come again!

Scouts and Scouters Introduced to Outdoor Ethics

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Have you ever wondered about the purpose of Outdoor Ethics in Scouting? Have you ever wondered what the role of a Troop’s Outdoor Ethics Guide is? Never fear, as the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee can help you out!

On Saturday, June 29, 15 Scouts and Scouters attended the Outdoor Ethics Orientation, and eight Scouts attended the Outdoor Ethics Guide Course in Brandywine, MD, hosted by EvelynAnn Bruno. Taking advantage of the air conditioning on that balmy summer day, Scouts and Scouters learned the basics of Outdoor Ethics and how to integrate them into Scouting and everyday life.

The Outdoors Ethic Orientation, a BSA National recognized course, is available to all ages and units. This orientation introduces the concept of Land Ethic, the seven principles of Leave No Trace, and the five principles of Tread Lightly! This course is a great way to introduce those new to the Scouting program and provide an excellent review for those who have been around for a while. By attending this course hosted by EvelynAnn, Scouts completed two of the requirements for the Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award (for both Scouts BSA and NCAC Cub Scouts). The course is one requirement, plus EvelynAnn shows the National Park Service’s Leave No Trace video at the end.

The Outdoor Ethics Guide (OEG) Course, which is an NCAC exclusive, was created to provide Scouts in Scouts BSA and their leaders with an explanation of the role of this leadership position in the troop and expectations. A quick refresher on Outdoor Ethics is followed by a myriad of Outdoor Ethics-themed games demonstrated to the Scouts, plus post-game brainstorming of how to bring these games to their individual units. This course is not mandatory to fill the OEG role but may prove helpful in understanding its function plus getting access to all the resources available.

Want to know more about Outdoor Ethics? Scan the QR Code and subscribe to the NCAC’s Outdoor Ethics Newsletter! The Outdoor Ethics in BSA Outdoor Programs webpage serves as another great resource!

Want to know more about the available Outdoor Ethics Awareness Awards? Scouts BSA has five requirements to complete, while NCAC Cub Scouts has four. Both can be earned by both Scouts and Scouters.

You can learn more about the missions of Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! at their individual websites.

EvelynAnn Bruno is a Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor and Tread Lightly! Trainer, in addition to being the Committee Chair of Troop 1778 in Waldorf and Treasurer of Pack 1014 of Brandywine. Located in Upper Marlboro, MD, she supports Patuxent and Western Shores Districts.

#weownadventure #LeaveNoTrace #treadlightly #doyourpart #ProtectTheAdventure

Loudoun Scouts Host District Camp at Murray Hill

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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!

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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!