Join us for our third Seminar for youth leaders this Thursday, 7/9 at 5pm, delivered by youth NYLT staff. The topic for this seminar will be titled, “Mastering the Art of Improvement.” Scouting provides opportunities to try new things and take on new roles. But few people are instantly good at something they’ve never done before, like cooking over a fire, or holding a new position of leadership. Learn the tools Scouting gives us to improve after each experience.
Articles
An Eagle’s Guide to the Rainforest | Adventure Talks Webinar
In the summer of 2018, I was one of several Eagle scouts chosen to participate in the NESA World Explorers program. I travelled to the Amazon to participate in a two-week research experience at Tiputini Biodiversity Station (TBS), a part of the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador. On Tuesday, July 14, 2020 I’ll share a presentation in the Adventure Talks Webinar Series about my experiences while on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure to one of the most remote places on earth.
I will cover some information about the research that is performed at TBS, what we did to help document and map Jaguar populations in that part of the forest, and what it was like to live at TBS. I’ll highlight some of the most amazing plants and animals we encountered while hiking; and I’ll tell you my wildest stories about the forest – including being chased by a pack of peccaries! At the end of this presentation, I’ll be able to answer your questions about the NESA World Explorer program and how to apply!
My Bio : I am currently studying Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Nanotechnology at Boston University. I earned my Eagle Scout award in 2015 and five Eagle palms. I’ve been a volunteer Merit Badge counselor at BSA Camp Airy for 7 years teaching the Ice Skating and Pioneering merit badges. In addition to participating in the NESA World Explorer Amazon Research Experience, I’ve completed a Philmont backpacking trek in 2015; I’ve sailed Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island with Sea Scout Ship 59 in 2016; and competed in the Sea Scout Koch Cup in 2018 in Galveston, TX.
I also volunteered as a scout at President Obama’s Inauguration in 2012 and President Trump’s Inaugural parade in 2017. Personally, some other adventures I’ve undertaken include hiking the Appalachian Trail through all of Maryland, parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, living in France for 6 months, and skiing through the Alps, Colorado Rockies, and parts of New England.
Tune into Evan’s presentation and join him for a conversation on July 14, 2020 at 7PM in the Adventure Talks Webinar. Register here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks
Learn Python Coding with Ayiti Analytics, a Data Science Lab!
Exploring is a BSA affiliate program focused on career exploration and development.
Ayiti Analytics is a Data Science Lab formed by a former NCAC Scout based in Haiti that is advancing analytical capacity through education, consulting and research.
Ayiti Analytics is forming virtual NCAC Explorer Posts and you are invited!
In their first cohort, Ayiti will will offer a series about Introductions to Computer Programming in Python. This is a series of six 90-minute sessions in which Ayiti will teach:
- Python knowledge: introduction to computing
- Shadowing at a Data Science Company: as a bonus, Ayiti will also provide students who complete the Introduction to Computing Course with an opportunity to shadow their virtual Data Science Lab for an afternoon; the goal is to show you what a real working day at a Data Science Company looks like!
- Nova Award: for those who are registered Scouts BSA, they will have the opportunity to earn requirements 3-8 of Nova Award – Hello World! Please note however, that you do not need to be a Scout to become an Ayiti Explorer.
The first cohort kicked off in June, and the second cohort will begin this Saturday, July 11th. This session will run on Saturday from 10:00AM – 11:30AM on these days:
- July 11, 2020
- July 18, 2020
- July 25, 2020
- August 1, 2020
- August 8, 2020
- August 15, 2020
Read more about Ayiti Analytics and register here!
This program is brought to you by a former White Oak District Boy Scout, Morgan Mendis!
Climb—Shoot—Build—Fly—Create at Camp Snyder!
Claim your campsite for Camp Snyder Family Camping and enjoy the program activities! You can still sign up for Family Camping weekends in July and early August.
Settle into your campsite and begin your adventure! Climb the Scouterhorn like a
mountaineer; see who is the best shot at the BB gun range; build a bird house or tool box or game at the Wood Shop; fly a drone or drive a robot car and create heat, color and odd shapes with STEM Foam Fun! You can also fish, walk the nature trail, try your hand at Geocaching and roast marsh mellows over your campfire before ending a very full day.
Register at https://scoutingevent.com/082-38193 and count down to your family’s weekend adventure at Camp Snyder. See you at camp!
7/7 at 7PM Webinar: Philmont Fires, the Welcome Center, the highest peaks and longest treks
Our very first feature in Adventure Talks will be live on July 7, at 7PM and will feature a Philmont Panel!
Our excellent panelists have stories about the Philmont Fires, the Welcome Center, the highest peaks and longest Treks. They’ve participated as Philmont Ambassadors, Scouting U Faculty, Camp Directors, Operational Staff and participants in their youth – and aim to offer you a glimpse of each role and how you can participate too!
At the end our panelists will open up to questions from you– please sign up for the ZOOM to join the Q&A session: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks
Panelists: Tom Giugni, Jay Oakman, Sam McGrath and Arden Dougan
Moderator: Julia Mae-Shen Lesko
Read their bios in the photo gallery above and be sure to tune in at 7PM!
Pack 7203 Holds Virtual Pinewood Derby!
On June 28th, 2020, Cub Scout Pack 7203, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, held their annual Pinewood Derby virtually with 17 competitors. Competitors were required to submit their cars in advance of the race and were inspected and remediated where necessary to ensure compliance with published rules. The derby was broadcasted and viewed on Zoom. Derby cars were judged on speed, design, color and best of show.
The results of the Pinewood Derby (Virtual):
Speed (Cub Scout Pack)
1st Place – Howard “Will” Zimmerman (Bear)
2nd Place – Hunter Kirkland (Webelos)
3rd Place – Cristo Morris (Webelos) *Previous two time derby winner)
Speed (Cub Scout Dens)
Fastest Tiger – Alexus Gumbs
Fastest Bear – Howard “Will” Zimmerman
Fastest Webelo I – Hunter Kirkland
Fastest Webelos II – Nick DeGraff
Innovative Design
Alex Gumbs (Tiger)
Color Scheme
Kriston Ward (Bear)
Best of Show
Veer Chatlani (Webelos)