The Patuxent District celebrated its first annual Women in Scouting Award Ceremony on June 3rd, at the Greenbelt American Legion. The honorees for the First Annual Women in Scouting Dinner are Danielle Ballantine, Alex, Keenan, and Gloria Ike. Each has contributed to the greater success of Scouting in the Patuxent District and exemplifies what female leadership and support has meant to the BSA and the Scouts within its programs. We also awarded Alison Mocko with the Rebekah Weir Award, which allows her to participate in Wood badge on scholarship. District Executive, Danielle Finley stated “each woman here has impacted my short time so far in Scouting. They are all selfless, dedicated, and incredible volunteers”. We would like to thank Parktopia Travels for their Program sponsorship and Janice Cornish from Pack 257 for chairing this event.
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Another Successful Camp Season
The last week of June at the Isaack Walton League was filled with Scouts engaged in outdoor activity. Mattaponi Scouts experienced many things in their day camp including shooting BB guns, fishing, a visit from the FBI, things found in nature, and archery. This year Scouts were joined by the very first family Scouting Unit (Pack 8100). “It is extraordinary! I wish they did this years ago so my daughter could have joined,” one parent exclaimed looking at the ponytails of the newest Scouters shooting bb guns. “I loved doing stuff like this as a kid, so it’s really great to have both my daughter and son growing up together…it’s really about keeping my family together,” said another.
The weather the entire week was enjoyable and the camp director was perfectly on cue reminding everyone to “keep drinking your water; if you’re not using the restroom that means you are not getting enough water” to which the chorus of 90 children would laugh very hardy laughs! The last day of camp saw all 90 youth singing in unison, playing their instruments, accepting awards, and telling one another that they never want to leave! It truly is an amazing experience. See you all next year!
The Trainer’s EDGE
The Fundamentals of Training/Trainer’s EDGE is for anyone interested in different training methods. It will equip you with ideas, techniques, and materials for improving presentations by enabling you to select approaches that will communicate your messages most successfully, and with PIZZAZZ!!
In Fundamentals of Training participants learn the tools of good training including characteristics of good trainers, how people learn and training methods. The Trainer’s EDGE emphasizes the importance of “experiential learning,” or learning by doing, as well as numerous other contemporary training strategies. These strategies can then be applied to a wide range of training programs.
WHAT DOES EDGE MEAN?
Explain how it is done – Tell them
Demonstrate the steps – Show them
Guide learners as they practice – Watch them do it
Enable them to succeed on their own – Use memory aids, practice it, they teach it
WHO SHOULD COME?
Anyone interested in improving their presentation skills should attend! This course is required for all trainers who train on the District and Council levels (including Wood Badge and NYLT staff).
The next course will take place on Saturday, August 25, 2018 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Potomac, MD. The cost is $15 (Continental Breakfast and Full Lunch Included along with Training Materials).
For more information or to register, please visit www.ncacbsa.org/trainersedge or contact Danielle Ballantine at (301) 335-6012 or dmballantine@gmail.com.
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT): Ready for a Challenge?
NYLT is an exciting, action-packed program designed for youth to learn and practice the leadership skills that will help them succeed in Scouting and in life!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Scouts who have completed their unit’s introduction to leadership course, have been practicing these skills, and are ready for the next level of training should attend NYLT once they meet all Eligibility Requirements.
NYLT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Scouts must:
- Complete their home Unit’s Introduction to Leadership Skills course*
- Receive approval from your Scoutmaster or Unit leader
- Be at least 14 years of age by course start date. We reserve limited space for 13-year-old participants on each course. All 13-year-old participants must contact the Course Director lbefore registering to see if slots still exist.
- Earn First Class rank, if registered in a Troop
- Have current BSA Health Form (Parts A, B, and C)
- Be comfortable camping and cooking outdoors
- Commit to attending the entire six-day course
- * Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), Crews (ILSC), and Ships (ILSS) should be offered through a Scout’s home unit. Ask your Unit Leader how you can participate in this course.
WHAT NYLT IS (AND IS NOT)
NYLT is not like summer camp and is not designed for rank advancement or earning merit badges. NYLT is an intense and challenging hands-on leadership training program. It is essential that NYLT participants be physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared to handle the demands of this advanced training. In order to get the most benefit from this unique experience, participants must exhibit emotional maturity, a positive attitude, proficiency in basic camping and outdoor cooking, and have an ambition to serve in leadership roles.
For more information or to register for upcoming NYLT Training, please visit:
www.ncacbsa.org/nylt.
STEM Long Term Camp Challenge
Troop 1853 from Old Dominion District has crafted a unique program to promote STEM amongst their troop. Their 2017 flyer is included, and was shared with us by Mr. John Selstrom and Mr. Bruce Donlin to give other troops an idea. Note: Mr. Donlin & Mr. Selstrom also co-teach the BSA STEM: Roadmap to Success class at University of Scouting and STEM University.
Washington, DC District Celebrates Ten Years and Honors Three Scouters with District Award of Merit
The Washington, DC, District is now 10 years old and still going strong! Back in June 2008, the National Capital Area Council made some changes to existing boundaries and created three new Districts, including the consolidation of the Horizon and Benjamin Banneker Districts into the new Washington, DC District. 10 years later, only the Washington, DC District remains unchanged.
DC Scouters celebrated the 10th birthday of our District at our annual Family Picnic and Awards Campfire on June 12 in Rock Creek Park, where Scouts and Scouters sang a rousing “Happy Birthday” — led by two 10-year-old girl Webelos Scouts!
As part of the celebration, the Washington, DC District presented the District Award of Merit — the top honor a District can award to Scouters for rendering service of an outstanding nature — to three excellent and deserving Scouters. Receiving of the District Award of Merit were:
- Ms. Rhonda Gray, who currently serves as the District Vice Chair for Membership; and the Committee Chair for Pack & Troop 1650
- Mr. William Hemsley, who currently serves as the District Vice Chair for Finance; and the Chartered Organization Representative for Pack, Troop, & Crew 343
- Mr. Thomas Scofield, who currently serves as the District Vice Chair for Camping and Outdoor Program; the Scoutmaster Troop 380; and the Order of the Arrow, DC Chapter, Associate Adviser
You can view more photos from the event on the District website at familycampfire.Scoutingindc.org.
DC Scouts and Scouters should mark their calendars for this Scouting year’s District Camporees. The District Fall Camporee is October 19 – 21, 2018 at State Forest in Brandywine, MD, and the District Spring Camporee is April 26 – 28, 2019 at Kings Landing Park in Huntingtown, MD.
All District and Council events can be found on our online calendar at calendar.Scoutingindc.org.