We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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NCAC Scout Earns American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year for Virginia

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The American Legion offers a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education. To be eligible for the American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year award, some of the requirements include: being an Eagle Scout; having received the appropriate Boy Scout religious emblem; having demonstrated practical citizenship in church, school, Scouting and community; and reached the age of 15 and enrolled in high school at time of selection.

Noah Ventura of Mt. Vernon, VA is the American Legion’s Eagle Scout of the Year for Virginia.

Ventura, is a high school Junior at Gonzaga College High School. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in January 2017 and was inducted in the NCAC Youth Leadership Society in 2019. Noah Ventura  is also an Eagle Scout with Crew 1022/Troop 1509. Other achievements for Ventura include Order of the Arrow Virginia Central Area Section Chief, National Youth Leadership Training Senior Patrol Leader, and Congressional Silver Award. He has a strong interest in STEM and has earned the BSA Supernova Awards; Thomas Edison (2017), Dr. Bernard Harris Award (2015) and William H. Townes Award (2013).

American Legion State Department headquarters then submit their nominations to the American Legion National Office’s Youth Activities Subcommittee for review of all department nominations and selection of The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year.

As the American Legion, State of Virginia, Eagle Scout of the Year Noah will receive a $1,500 scholarship. The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year will receive a $10,000 scholarship. Three runners-up will each receive $2,500.

Temporary Camping Night Policy Due to COVID-19

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In light of the extended period of camping restrictions attributable to COVID-19, the following temporary modification is being made to the camping requirements for OA eligibility:

Virtual camping (i.e., backyard or solo camping) may be counted toward the required nights of camping for OA election eligibility if all the following stipulations are met:

– To be counted, all virtual camping nights should be a direct result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and be part of a BSA unit-organized unit camping event (i.e., multiple members of the unit are involved and camping simultaneously at remote locations).

– Some form of unit-organized communications should occur either during or immediately following the event.

– All existing youth protection policies and digital safety guidelines should be followed.

– No more than 3 nights of virtual camping are to be credited in any month in which government- or council-imposed COVID-19 restrictions are in place.

This change is in effect until September 1, 2020.

Units which have already held an election between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 are authorized to hold one additional election for any individuals who were ineligible at the time of the election due to the camping requirement, but would have been considered eligible at the time if this temporary policy had then been in effect.  This second election must be completed no later than July 1, 2020.  Those who were previously considered for election in the first election may not be reconsidered on this second ballot (i.e., no one can be considered for election more than once in a year).

If you have any questions, please reach out to membership@oa-bsa.org.

Orginial post from: https://oa-bsa.org/coronavirus/temporary-camping-night-policy-due-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR3BonFJhT1k9G5i3QulAPiiKU9ivOUbNcTlq5VQTkpH-s5qGTuCTTm0k4w

“Scouting At Home” Timeframe Extended

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Dear Scouting Families,

Due to the continuing pandemic in our communities, National Capital Area Council, BSA is extending “Scouting At Home” until further notice. The Marriott Scout Service Center and all NCAC camping properties will be closed to the public during this time, but our friendly staff remains available to help! Please contact us for all your Scouting needs.

We encourage all our units to continue holding virtual meetings and events. There are a lot of amazing stories on WeOwnAdventure.com and we are inspired by your continued innovation and creativity! If your unit is looking to start holding online meetings, check out these resources for virtual meetings.

We also want to invite you to our Council’s first Virtual Campfire! Join us on May 5, 7pm on our Facebook page for songs, skits, and Scout Spirit. Can’t wait to see you there!

Star Scout Organizes “No Contact” Food Drive

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With the worldwide pandemic, social distancing and quarantining many may have taken this opportunity to stock your cupboards, pantries, fridges, freezers and bathrooms with food to last you a few weeks or months. If you were able to do this, please consider yourself lucky.  There are plenty of individuals and families out there that rely on the good nature of others to put food on their plates.  In some instances, that food is coming from local food banks. 

Unfortunately during these crazy times, food banks begin to run dangerously low on supplies. In response to this Star Scout, Landon Hummel from Troop 1378 in Dale City, VA decided to organize a “no contact” food drive.  Landon contacted the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) and obtained information on how to get the food to them safely.  He then made a flyer, sent out an email to his Troop with instructions and all the information about the drive.

Sunday March 29th, the Landon and his mother drove around the Prince William County area to collect donations. They created a route using the addresses in all of the reply emails in order to give participants a time frame for pickup. They maintained social distancing by asking participants to leave their donations outside and just wave to us from the window. With the assistance of his mom, he collected 162 pounds of food for the Arlington Food Assistance Center.

To learn more about how you can give please visit the Arlington Food Assistance Center website. Items that they are specifically asking for are: canned tuna/chicken, canned soups, canned vegetables, canned tomatoes, peanut butter (in plastic jars only), pasta and rice. 

COVID-19 Stay at Home Family Kits

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As a member of Troop 642 in Orange County, CA, I’ve been fortunate that the NCAC Merit Badges @ Home sessions are open to Scouts nationwide!

I was inspired during a virtual Family Life merit badge class to do a family community service project to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. We partnered with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) and prepared 20 COVID-19 Stay at Home Family Kits for families facing homelessness who are staying in a shelter, motel, or RV. The kits included diapers, wipes, soap and shampoo, baby formula, non-perishable snacks and at-home activities for kids such as books, craft kits, art supplies and puzzles. Many of these families do not have a car, access to the Internet or much money, so its difficult to shop online or do take-out or curbside pick up for essential items.

This project was a good way for my family to work together, help others, and show our Scout spirit during the Stay at Home orders! Some of my friends helped too. Their parents dropped off donations on my front porch or had donations delivered directly to my house from Amazon. We used extra safety precautions by washing our hands regularly, disinfecting donations, and wearing masks while unpacking and delivering the kits for distribution. We hope these essential items will help families stay safe! Thank you NCAC for the awesome virtual merit badge classes!

Troop 496 Holds Virtual New Scout Campout

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Traditionally, Troop 496’s campout for April is the New Scout campout. At this campout, we welcome the Webelos scouts that have crossed over to the troop. We also introduce the new scouts to several Scout and Tenderfoot rank requirements. Requirements include:

  • What the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan are and what they mean
  • What is the Scout leadership hierarchy
  • A explanation of the Patrol method
  • Demonstration of how to tie the square knot, two half-hitches, and the taut-line hitch
  • What should be in a personal first aid kit
  • A list of equipment and clothes needed for a campout
  •  How to pitch a tent

Because of the COVID pandemic and state and BSA rules that do not allow large gatherings, a campout was not an option this year. In order to support the new Scouts as they begin their BSA Scouting careers, Troop 496 held a virtual campout using Zoom. Ten new boys, representing the Trolls patrol, participated in this campout. Troop 496 was honored to have four girls, representing the Artemis patrol, join the campout this year. These girls will be the core of the new BSA Girls Troop forming here in Poolesville.

The campout was led by the Troop SPL, Zach Ransom. The SPL was assisted by several older Scouts covering 10 different requirements. After the on-line portion of the campout, several of the Scouts took on the challenge to pitch a tent in their back yard and then spend the night in the tent that they pitched. The next day, the participants again met on Zoom to participate in a “Roses, Buds, and Thorns” exercise.