Articles

Help NCAC Celebrate 100 Years of Camping!

January 30, 2020 by Craig Weston

The Council celebration of 100 years of NCAC summer camps is well underway, as we continue to celebrate the opening of Camp Roosevelt on the Maryland western shore as our first council summer camp in 1919!

To honor the long history of summer camping in the Council and to highlight the importance of the outdoors to the growth and development of Scouts, throughout 2020 we are encouraging Families, Webelos, Scouts, Venturers, Explorers and Sea Scouts to get involved by attending a camp (or cruise) overnight —- for a weekend or for a week (or two) at one of our summer camps!

Here’s what happening in the coming weeks:

Districts can hand out the free Camping Centennial Logo patch to those who attend the District Klondike Derby or Winter Camporee. Contact your District Executive before the event.
New to Scouting or camping and want to learn what gear you need and where to go? Sign up for Course ELC135 “Camping Opportunities in the NCAC” at the University of Scouting on February 29th.
Also, at the University of Scouting, take a walk-through history! Stop by the midway area to view displays of rare council camping memorabilia dating back over the past century.

Visit gotogoshen.org/summercamp or gotosnyder.com/summercamp and register today!

Stay tuned to WeOwnAdventure to learn about future special events and commemorative merchandise.

NCAC Announces 2020 Silver Beaver Class

January 29, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

The National Capital Area Council (NCAC), Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is happy to announce the 2020 Class of Silver Beavers. The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council.

The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. Members of this year’s class are:

Class Honoree: Julia Mae-Shen Lesko

Joshua P. Batten

William Bowerman IV

Kevin Patrick Brendel

Hugh David Carmichael

John T. Colwell, III

Theresa Garcia-Parks

Kenneth W. Gaul

G. Keith Gray

Christian Sean Griggs

James Hardter

William Stoll Hemsley

John Arthur Herbig

Charles Hochstein

John Howlin

Howard Joel Lichtman

Paul MacDonald

Stanley L. Mushaw

Bradford Netting Scales

William Totten

Hector D. Uranga-Urias

John Robert Wilkinson

Andrew D. Willis

NCAC invites you to join them in celebrating the years of dedication performed by these great volunteers. The Council Court of Honor is set for Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 7:30pm.

To register to attend, please visit: www.NCACBSA.org/courtofhonor

Troop 893G Builds an Awesome Klondike Derby Sled

January 27, 2020 by Dave Schneeman

In preparation for their first Klondike Derby competition, Scouts from Troop 893G came out to Michael’s Woodshop to construct their sled. The Scouts received a safety briefing and were provided instruction and guidance from a volunteer Shop Steward as well as from fellow Scouts with prior woodworking experience. The Scouts were able to learn and apply many useful woodworking skills; measuring & marking, drilling, gluing and clamping. They demonstrated that “a Scout is Thrifty” by using reclaimed redwood from an old swing set to build their sled. They also displayed great teamwork and were able to work from their concept drawing and raw materials to a substantially completed sled in just a few hours.

On January 18, the Troop competed in the Sully Distict Klondike Derby held at Camp Snyder. They had an impressive performance, taking second place in their first Klondike Derby competition. What an awesome team! Let their fellow competitors beware – Troop 893G already has their sights set on coming in first at next year’s event.

Looking for a great place to hold your own team building event? Michael’s Woodshop is a well-outfitted shop with the tools, equipment and plenty of work space for Scouts to create and learn. The shop may be reserved for Unit activities (all age groups), District events, Eagle Scout projects and other Scouting activities. Our volunteer Shop Stewards are all experienced woodworkers and are available to assist you in planning and carrying out a successful event.

For information about shop capabilities, upcoming events or reserving the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop page on the Camp Snyder website. You may also email questions and requests to MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

Little Sister Beats Big Brother at the Pinewood Derby

January 27, 2020 by Samantha Becker

Ethan and Camille both of Mechanicsville, MD Cub Scout Pack 1785 are pictured after Camille’s car beat her big brother’s car at the Pinewood Derby Race Day in a sibling race. My husband helped my son, Ethan (Den 6) build his car and I helped my daughter, Camille (Den 17) so it was a mom versus dad challenge as well and us girls won! They had to buy us lunch after the derby!

2020 Potomac District Klondike Derby

January 27, 2020 by ROBERT SNIP

Another Potomac District Klondike Derby is in the books. For Troop 447 from Rockville, Potomac District, this will be one to remember. Not for the heavy rain on Friday which soaked most of the tents and even some sleeping bags and clothes, not for the muddy field and falling temperatures, not for the close to freezing temperature on Saturday night, but for an entire year of preparing for this event paying off beyond expectation.

The Gravediggers team, led by ASPL Bryson, won 1st place overall, ultimately decided by them earning 1st place in the Dutch oven dessert contest. The Roadkill team, led by SPL Vincent earned 2nd place overall and Patrol Leader Austin of the Gravediggers team won the Klondike Derby Patch design competition. Troop 447 also had no less than 3 skits approved to be featured at the camp fire, with fantastic responses from the estimated 1,000 strong audience.

More important than all these accolades, the Scouts from Troop 447 learned what hard work on Scout skills throughout the year, respect for each other and other Troops, and working as a team can accomplish. At the Klondike Derby, points are awarded per station not only for the skills, but also for teamwork, respect and Scout spirit. All these qualities should be found in our Scouts, and in our Scouters.

As a first year Scoutmaster, I am beyond proud that “my” Scouts, performed so well, encouraging each other, helping each other and working together on that common goal; “to do my best”. The Troop’s PLC, in their annual planning meeting, set a solid foundation for the Klondike Derby, by scheduling Scout skills in the weekly meetings, combined with more Klondike specific meetings leading up to the event, with senior Scouts helping younger Scouts to master various skills. What more could I ask for?

A huge shout out to first time Potomac District Klondike Derby Director Steve Salaj and his team of about 200 volunteers, for a fantastic organization of this event hosting over 1,000 Scouts and Scouters from the National Capital Area Council.

Troop 544 Creates and Distributes Blessing Bags to The Less Fortunate for MLK Day Service Project

January 20, 2020 by Susan Hall, Committee Chair

On January 20, 2020, Troop 544 traveled to downtown Franklin Square Park in Washington D.C. to distribute over 50 blessing bags to the less fortunate. Most of the persons in the park are homeless. The bags were created from donations from the scouts and their families. Items were gathered and assembled at the Troop meeting the Saturday before.

We had a great turn out for both events. The scouts were very eager to provide service to others, which made the leadership very proud. They not only were obeying the scout law and oath, but they also practiced the motto of doing a good turn daily.