We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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The History & Archives Committee’s Scout History Reception and Museum Unveiling

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On May 6th, 2024, The History & Archives Committee held a Scout History Reception at the Mariott Scout Service Center – unveiling a spectacular display of Scout Historic Memorabilia, the largest display ever at any Council Office! The History Committee strives to preserve and protect local and national Scouting History – to educate future generations about Scouting’s rich heritage and service and its many positive contributions to the community and the nation, whether it be through programs like H.O.S.T Hikes (History Of Scouting Trail), H.O.S.T.I.N.G (Helping Other Scout Troops Incorporate Needed Gear) or holding events like this reception!
Here are some photos from the museum:
    

A huge thanks to Michael Groover, the Vice-Chair & Master of Ceremonies, who worked very hard setting up all the displays, which definitely paid off.

It doesn’t end there because National Scout Families celebrities were also present!
These Guests of Honor include:
Ann Hornaday, granddaughter of William T. Hornaday, which the now Distinguished Service Conservation Award had been initially named after.
Charity Goodman, granddaughter of E. Urner Goodman, one of the founders of the Order of the Arrow.
Julia Seton, the granddaughter of Ernest Thompson Seton, donated 500 medals to start the History Award at NCAC.
Kellye French, Conservation Chairwoman and BSA trainer, donated a photo of the BSA Indie Car signed by its driver, Dale Coyne (As seen below).

 

 

Scout Overcomes Challenges to Reaching Eagle Rank

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Aquia District Troop 850’s Newest Eagle Scout – Thomas Gill

Eighteen-year-old Thomas Gill celebrated earning the BSA rank of Eagle Scout on Saturday, April 20th, with a ceremony and reception held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Local leaders, State Senator Tara Durant, Delegate Paul Milde, and Senior Vice Commandant of the Marine Corps League, Jack Maas Detachment, Christina Wanzer, attended the ceremony and honored Thomas with commendations.

Thomas is a Senior at Mountain View High School and led Scouts BSA Troop 850 from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in the Aquia District, National Capital Area Council, to build a rain-barrel reclamation system at Widewater State Park to supply water to volunteers watering a pollinator garden and park maintenance. Thomas, with his fellow Scouts and his dad, Dennis, built stands for rain barrels from scratch and retrofitted plain, cheaper barrels to show the Scout Law value of being Thrifty.

Thomas raised funds for the project from friends and family members. He successfully executed the project within three months. Thomas earned 21 Merit Badges, including Disability Awareness, Nuclear Science, and Railroading, the latter being his favorite. This culminated in his earning the rank of Eagle Scout on December 20th, 2023. When asked how he feels about obtaining the Rank, Thomas says, “I can do hard things like this because I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” quoting Philippians 4:13.

Thomas faced uncommon challenges on his way to Scouts BSA’s highest rank. Thomas has Spina Bifida, a neural tube birth defect that affects his ability to walk and do physically demanding tasks. He can walk very short distances with forearm crutches.

Thomas started his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in the National Capital Area Council Pack 845 while in the second grade. According to Thomas’ Mom, Elba, Thomas’ Cub Scout Pack Leader, “Joe Hernandez, an active-duty Marine, encouraged Thomas to always do his best and never give up and it worked!” Thomas says he joined Troop 850 “because they welcomed me without anyone asking what was wrong with my legs.” He went on multiple camping trips and hikes with his Troop, including a ten-miler at Gettysburg. He held several leadership positions in Troop 850 including Historian and Chaplains Aide.

Reaching the Scouts BSA’s highest rank is a rare achievement. Only a very small percentage, less than six percent, of Scouts, attain the rank before their eighteenth birthday. Thomas has done it despite having a challenging physical disability. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at his Eagle Scout Board of Review on December 20, 2023.

Thomas will graduate this May and plans to attend Germanna Community College with plans to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, then potentially transfer to a four-year university.

Patuxent Cub & Pal

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A wonderful, albeit soggy, time was had at the Patuxent Cub & Pal on Saturday! “A Sailing” we went, so it makes sense there was water involved! From knots to fishing, treasure hunting to pirate games, there was even a Raingutter Regatta! Fun was had by all, and many thanks to all the volunteers!!

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA IS CHANGING ITS NAME TO SCOUTING AMERICA

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The new name reflects the continuing efforts to welcome everyone to experience the benefits of Scouting.

WASHINGTON, DC (May 7, 2024) – The Boy Scouts of America today announced that it will be changing its name to Scouting America. This change reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcoming every youth in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The name change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th birthday.

This announcement also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Boy Scouts of America currently serves 176,234 girls and young women across all programs, including more than 6,000 who have earned Eagle Scout status.

“Our commitment is to all youth in our community,” stated Scout Executive/CEO Mario A. Pérez. “In the National Capital Area Council we know that one of our greatest assets is the rich diversity that characterizes our community. Inclusivity broadens our perspectives, makes us stronger, and better equips our youth to navigate the challenges in life. The use of Scouting America will help us connect with more youth from all backgrounds as we continue our work to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

Scouting America builds on the organization’s 114 years of helping America’s youth. Its ongoing goal is to provide young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, fostering their growth and future outcomes as leaders, and be prepared for life. At the same time, values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.

More than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting programs since its founding in 1910, and currently, more than 1 million youth, including both men and women, are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. To date, more than 2.75 million youth have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.

Last year, National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) delivered the promise of Scouting to over 33,000 youth including 4,315 girls and young women across all programs. NCAC’s programs train the next generation of leaders; give back to the community through service; and teach young people to “Be Prepared” for life, adventure, and education.

In addition to supporting the nation’s youth, Scouting America will continue to be an important asset to strengthen our communities, having provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer services for community improvement and other projects across the country.

About Scouting America

Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”

Scouting America welcomes all of America’s youth into its programs. Our goal is to give them fantastic experiences in the outdoors, and elsewhere, where they can grow with us in a safe environment. More than 130 million Americans have been through our programs since our founding, and currently more than 1 million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.

To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, visit Scouting.org.

About National Capital Area Council (NCAC)

NCAC was organized in 1911 and today stands as one of the oldest and the largest councils in America. Scouts from NCAC perform in excess of 400,000 hours of community service each year under the guidance of over 14,000 adult leaders. The Council territory includes the District of Columbia; Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland; and in Virginia the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Stafford, and Culpeper as well as the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, Manassas Park and Fredericksburg in Virginia; the U.S. Virgin Islands; and US Scouting families living abroad in North, Central, and South America. For more information, please visit www.NCACBSA.org.

Experience High Adventure at ACE Adventure Resort – Sponsored

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ACE Adventure Resort’s 1500-acre resort, located in the heart of the New River Gorge National Park in Southern West Virginia, has been serving the Scouting community for over 40 years. The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve and High Adventure camp are just a 20-minute drive away.

Scouts use ACE as a single-day location for rafting and the waterpark or a multi-day location that provides a budget-friendly option for a multi-day to weeklong camp.

The Resort provides 40 miles of hiking and biking trails for guests to discover the beauty of “These West Virginia Hills.” The New River region of the state is the home of high adventure, and ACE provides lodging, meals, and guided activities that Scouts incorporate into their programming to build confidence, discover activities that challenge individuals, and develop troop cohesiveness.

Budget-friendly lodging options include primitive camping, bunkhouses, and cabin tents.   You’ll find shower houses with hot running water strategically placed throughout the resort.

ACE’s Wonderland Waterpark is a great place to keep your Scouts active between guided activities and the perfect option to finish the day’s adventures.

In addition to rafting the Upper or Lower New River, you can choose from land-based (zip lining, rock climbing, aerial park, hiking, and mountain biking) or water-based (rafting, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding) activities.

The New River Gorge High Adventure Package, created with Scouts in mind, offers a week of guided adventures, waterpark passes, and primitive camping with the addition of a six piece patch set. 

Be sure to check out the New River Gorge National Park Junior Ranger Program and Scout Ranger Program.

Both are available free of charge as a part of the NPS programming for youth.

If the goal of your trip to Southern West Virginia is to hike every day, then the New River Gorge National Park will not disappoint.

  • WV Tourism’s Waterfall Trail provides directions and incentives to locate and enjoy 40 Waterfalls throughout the state, and you will find 15 of those waterfalls are in the New River Gorge. Start with Finn’s Falls, located here at ACE Resort.
  • The Meadow River Rail Trail opened in 2023 with six miles of completed trail. This trail provides a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the Meadow River backcountry, accessible by rail trail or river.
  • Needles Eye Bouldering Park is located just 15 minutes from the Resort. You’ll discover unique rock formations that invite you to climb up, around, and through the large rock formations and boulders.

 

ACE provides activities for youth as young as four years old, young adults, and seasoned leaders. Non-profit group rates are available for lodging, activities, and meals. Discover ACE as your “go-to” location when visiting the New River Gorge and add high adventure programming to your Troop’s 2024 Summer activities.

Call Agnes Casto in Group Sales @ 304-469-0130 to plan your trip.

Twinkie’s at the Church: Troop 1444 Camp-In Event

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During the last weekend of April, Troop 1444 held a Camp-In Event at the Transfiguration Parish. Instead of setting up tents, the troops settled inside the church for the weekend, playing games and enjoying the interior!

For breakfast, the Troop enjoyed some fried Twinkies and later went on a nice hike. Events like these may be simple, but they stick with the Scouts, giving them a unique view of how Scouts can camp.