We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Articles

Troop 996 Organizes ‘Remote’ Food Drive

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When we started social distancing and businesses closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, my family and I thought of something our Troop could do to help others. I started to research food pantries and our Scoutmaster suggested we contact the one supported by our chartering organization, Aldersgate United Methodist Church. So I called Rising Hope and asked if we could do a food drive, and they said yes.

So, we sent out an email about the food drive to the Troop then a few days later my brother, my Mom, and I went to Aldersgate parking lot to wait for Scout families to drive by and drop off food. Then the next day my Mom and I went to Rising Hope and delivered the food.

I felt good about organizing this because the food will be given to people that need it and we live out the Scout Law (Helpful, Kind) even when we can’t have regular Troop meetings. A Scout is HELPFUL and KIND.

Troop 98 Eagle Scout Service Project Creates a New Zen Garden at Duke Ellington School of the Arts

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In January 2020, Stefan Morgan, a Life rank Scout with Scouts BSA Troop 98, chartered by St. Anthony of Padua Church in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington, DC, led two weekends of work to bring his Eagle Scout Service Project to life.

Stefan oversaw his months of planning and hard work come over two weekends of hard work by a combination of scouts, scouters, students, and neighbors. Together, all of these volunteers executed Stefan’s plans and worked under his leadership to build a new Zen garden on the grounds of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, part of the District of Columbia Public Schools in Northwest Washington, DC.

The new Zen garden includes two benches, decorative rocks, and sand; and has created a new quiet, calming, and contemplative space for students and neighbors alike to enjoy.

Stefan’s work included all aspects of planning and design of the Zen garden, securing financial support and donations of materials, and planning and coordinating multiple days of work in two different locations.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, scouts and scouters of Troop 98, and congratulations to Stefan on your hard work, and completing this very difficult step on your trek to Eagle!

Eagle BOR Extension for Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts

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Eagle Scout Rank Badge
These are historic times for our Movement. The coronavirus pandemic is having a direct impact in many Scouts’ ability to continue on their trail to Eagle – especially having completed all their requirements prior to the boards of review that are to be held from 10/1-31/2020.

Because we want all girls who joined in 2019 and wish to be a part of the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts to have the benefit of such an experience, and after carefully considering recommendations from stakeholders, including feedback from volunteers and professionals, we will be extending the period for boards of review from 10/1/2020-1/31/2021. To further support the Inaugural Class, all boards of review will be dated with the same date by the National Service Center.

While this notice discusses the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts, the lengthening of the Eagle board of review window is applicable to all Scouts who were granted the Inaugural extension, regardless of gender.

As a reminder, all requirements must be completed while the individual is a registered member of Scouts BSA, or as a member of a Venturing crew or a Sea Scouts ship after achieving First Class in Scouts BSA, per the Guide to Advancement.

Troop 35 Scouts “Telecamping” Program – Can’t Keep Good Scouts from Doing!!

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Scoutmaster Kevin Huddleston of Troop 35, Occoquan District, recently earned his Wood Badge Beads as a successful graduate of NCAC’s Spring 2019 Wood Badge Course, despite the advent and disruption of CORVID-19. What great leadership! What great Scout Spirit! What a great example of Baden-Powell’s quote that: ‘A Scout whistles and smiles under any circumstance.’ You just can’t keep a good Scouter down!”

Scoutmaster Huddleston’s Scouts are following his fine example of Leading Change! Huddleston said that, “I held a Zoom Patrol Leader Council [PLC] meeting; my PLC hate that their parents are ALL telecommuting, as their parents are driving them (the Scouts) crazy. So my Senior Patrol Leader [SL] and two Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders [ASPL] came up with a Patrol Competition called ‘TELECAMPING’. We recorded our intro via Zoom. If you want to use this to keep your Patrols and Troop and Scouts connected, excited and sustained – use away. I’ll let you know how it turns out.”

Below is the YouTube video Huddleston made of his SPL and ASPLs in a Zoom PLC that was then sent to all Troop 35 Patrol Leaders and their Scouts:

We are all looking for ways to keep our Scouts actively engaged, moving forward and Doing their Best. Through youthful enthusiasm, imagination and creativity, Scouts will find a way, when given the opportunity by adults. Well done to the Adult & Youth Leaders of Troop 35!

A final thought from Baden-Powell: “The [Scout] is not governed by don’t, but is led by do.” Let’s keep the doing in Scouting!

Troop 440 Donates 220 Bag Lunches to Homeless Shelter

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On April 8th, in the day and age of social distancing, our Troop (individually and in their own homes) prepared 220 bag lunches for Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring, MD for “OPERATION SANDWICH.” 

Shepherd Table’s mission is to provide help to people who are homeless or in need by providing basic services, including meals, social services, medical support, clothing, and other assistance in an effective and compassionate manner.

Troop 440 had one Parent/Scout do all the shopping, sorting and delivering of supplies (to porches) and then another Parent/Scout collected the completed lunches from their fellow Scout’s porches the following afternoon and delivered the lunches to Shepherd’s Table. Almost 75% of our Troop families participated and the whole thing was completed in just over 24 hours! Remember a Scout is Helpful.