We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Articles

NCAC Bids a Fond Farewell to Les Baron

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It is with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to Captain Les Baron. Yes, that’s right: captain. After 38 years as a professional Scouter, Les is headed out to sea. If you need him now he can be found in Florida waters offering tours and fishing trips with Brown Dog Adventures.

During the eight years he spent as our Scout Executive, Les helped our Council grow and accomplish an amazing amount. Under his leadership nearly 100,000 young people joined Scouting, more than 12,000 earned their Eagle Scout Award, and we recorded more than 4 million service hours.

At the same time we were growing our summer camp programs and facilities. Goshen Scout Reservation posted record attendance numbers, built a new dam, rennovated one dining hall, replaced another all together,  added a STEM program, and celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Camp William B. Snyder celebrated its 10th anniversary, added a new STEM Shack and woodworking shop, built a new dining hall, and is now running near capacity all year round.

During this time our council also merged with the U.S. Virgin Islands Council. Working with local families, he forged new relationships with community organizations that have revitalized Scouting in the Islands. Camp Howard M. Wall  has also been rebuilt as such an exciting high adventure destination that starting next year it will be part of Sea Base’s program.

He accomplished all of  this while paying off our council’s debt and growing the endowment to almost $13 million.

But perhaps the best thing that can be said about Les is that the changes he made will endure beyond his time here. Their impact will be felt for generations to come as the families he helped welcome begin their own traditions of Scouting.

Les was the steady hand on the tiller during times of great change for Scouting, reminding us that through it all our our core values remain the same. They are our guiding star through stormy seas.

Now that’s a lasting impact!

Summer at Sea

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Summer 2019 brought high adventure on the high seas for a number of Sea Scouts and their Scouts BSA brothers who came along for the fun.

First out of the harbor were Ships 100, 125, and 7916, joined by guests from Troop 884 in NCAC and Troop 75 from Piedmont Council in North Carolina.  They traveled to the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands to conduct a week of extreme sailing in the best sailing waters of the world, explore the reefs, and conduct a research project on an invasive reef grass species known as halophila stipulacea.

Departing in the afternoon of Day 1, they launched a 43ft 2017 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey, a 45ft 2016 Beneteau Oceanis, and a 48ft 2018 Beneteau Oceanis.  The experience of the boats alone was enough to make the trip, as these were some of the nicest boats available – with folding swim platforms that raised and lowered for easy access off the back of the boat, in-port airconditioning, and bright, clean bathrooms – or “heads” as they’re known. 

The week took them from Tortola, to Norman Island where the story “Treasure Island” was supposedly based and where Blackbeard hid his treasure over two centuries ago.  Much to the scouts’ dismay, locals long since found (and distributed) the remains of all Pirate Treasure.  The next morning they explored by swimming in the shallow caves at the southern tip of the island.  Thankfully for the adults, the caves were not so deep as to risk anyone getting lost.  From Norman Island, they circled around Peter Island, carefully crossing 8ft waves with reefed sails and 25kt winds. 

By day three they had arrived at “The Baths” a natural rock formation off the southern tip of Virgin Gorda which makes for amazing hikes and swimming.  They anchored off the cost of Prickly Pear Island and watched the sun set over the western Caribbean.  From Virgin Gorda, they turned west toward Great Caminoe Island and the famous Marina Cay.  Here they discovered the best snorkeling of the week at Diamond Cay.  Despite the immense damage done to the reefs from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, this secluded reef was still very much vibrant with tangs, wrasses, damsels, gobys, angels and other fish.  The fan corals had recovered and there were signs of growth amongst the brain coral.  They celebrated mid week with a dinner at Pussers Marina Cay.

Day 4 brought the Dominion Regatta where all 3 boats were to sail from Great Camanoe to Jost Van Dyke.  Separated by PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Formulas) the sail was a test of teamwork with three different yachts under the command of three different youth captains.  (But carefully supervised by the prescribed adults.  These are $300,000 boats after all!)

After a tiring week, they pulled into home port, turned over the helm to their fleet and headed back to U.S. waters.

But the adventure was not over!  As these scouts arrived back safely on US ground, the next group departed for a week around the Chesapeake Bay.  Ships 1927, 548, 100, as well as Troops 1188 and 1182 cast off the bowlines at Maryland Yacht Club.  Sailing the Sea Scout flagship SSTV der Pelikan, a 46ft Morgan Ketch, they headed to Baltimore Inner Harbor where the scouts explored the historic port, home to the USS Constellation – a fully rigged 18th Century sailing barque.  From there they turned southward to Annapolis, picking up a mooring ball for the night and going in to experience the night sounds and experiences in one of America’s premier sailing towns, as well as home to the US Naval Academy.  Despite torrential rains, they turned west and headed to St. Michaels and the Eastern Shore.  By the end of a tiring week, 8 wobbly scouts returned to Pasadena, Maryland to find their land legs again.  Each scout had completed their “Boaters License” as it is colloquially named – the Boater Training Certificate from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, which allows them to legally operate a boat in the United States.

Long Cruise is a 7-14 day maritime experience, and serves as “summer camp” for Sea Scouts.  It is an important part of the Sea Scout program and provides leadership and maritime skills which last a lifetime.

For more information on Sea Scouting in the NCAC, email ncac@seascout.org.

Pack 1530 earns Hornaday Unit Award

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by Sara Holtz, Hornaday Adviser

Pack 1530 in Powhatan District earned the prestigious William T. Hornaday Unit Award, one of several awards that honor William T. Hornaday, the head taxidermist at the Smithsonian who helped establish the National Zoo, and was the first Director of what is today known as the Bronx Zoo. He is widely credited with saving the American bison from extinction.

Units earn the Hornaday Unit award when at least 60% of registered youth participate in a substantial conservation project that meets the rigorous standards of the Hornaday program.

Pack 1530 participated in an invasive species control project led by Boy Scout John H. of Troop 159, who is working towards the coveted Hornaday Badge. The project address the growth of Japanese stiltgrass as an invasive species at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia. Japanese stiltgrass is considered a highly invasive plant because it is not native, spreads aggressively, and crowds out native plants. John’s project aims to manually remove stiltgrass from an area identified by Frying Pan Farm Park staff, planting of native grasses and plants in their place, and future use of that area for educational purposes with youth visitors to the Park.

“Unusual prizes are won only by unusual service”
-Dr. William T. Hornaday

Pack 1530’s Cub Scouts, parents, siblings, and alumni participated in 5 work days in August and September at the Park to pull Japanese stiltgrass. Pack 1530 also helped educate the public about the project and about invasive plant control by having a booth at their school’s Open House in August. They will continue to participate in this project by volunteering in subsequent phases to replace invasive stiltgrass with native species, which will help ensure sustainability of the project.

For more information about William T. Hornaday awards in NCAC, go to www.NCACBSA.org/Hornaday. Our council’s Conservation Committee includes more than  20 Hornaday Advisers who are ready to assist Scouts and units in pursuing significant conservation projects to earn Hornaday awards.

Don’t see an adviser in your District? Contact Conservation Committee Chair Will Rodger through the webpage and he’ll help you find someone!

Recruit More Scouts: Cancel Your Troop Open House

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Want to recruit more youth to your troop? Don’t hold a “troop open house.” Sure, it is one of the three key recruiting methods – But, I say don’t do it.

Why? Put yourself in the shoes of a 10-year old child. The words “open house” represent that night each year when mom or dad head to school to talk to their teachers. And, the last thing most youth want to do after six hours enclosed in the cinderblock walls of learning is to volunteer themselves for another 90-minutes of anything that sounds remotely like school.

So now what? Hold an event and call it anything other than an open house. Be creative and tap into the talents of your troop. Do something that will excite your membership – current and future – so you can showcase the energy of all of your unit membership.

Be wary of static displays that provide nothing for the Webelos to do. Punch up “Ye olde campsite display” with well-done campfire program and you have the beginning of a successful not-a-troop-open-house. Add some hands-on Dutch oven cobbler preparation and you’ll have an event that makes me, um, I mean my Webelos want to join your troop!

Lima Scouts Sojourn to Camp Olmstead

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A contingent of Scouts and leaders from Troop 5 in Lima, Peru attended Camp Olmsted this past summer. Scouts and leaders traveled from 4 different countries to enjoy a week at summer camp during their winter break in the US before going back to school. Highlights of the week were rifle and shot gun shooting, sailing on Lake Merriweather and the Olmsted Olympics. The contingent enjoyed meet-ing Scouts from the US, Scouts with ties to Peru living in the US, and Zack our Staff Guide from Bogota Columbia. The three Scouts earned 16 merit badges and one attended the Trailhead Program. Plans are being made for a larger contingent next summer and a return to Camp Olmsted.

 

Save the Date: University of Scouting Is February 23rd

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The University of Scouting, a supplemental training opportunity for all adult Scout leaders, returns to Hayfield High School on February 23. It is the one time during the year where you can find the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas all in one place.

The University offers interesting courses in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting (soon to be Scouts BSA), “Adventuring” (a combination of Venturing and Sea Scouts), District Operations, and an Electives College where the classes cover a broad range of areas of interest to Scouting but not specific to any one Scouting program. A key topic across all programs this year will be Family Scouting.

The University has a degree program where, over time, attendees can earn Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Adventuring.

Classes are taught by experienced Scouters and Scouting professionals. Many classes focus on subject areas not otherwise covered in the usual adult leader training curriculum.

We expect to offer over 160 different courses from which to choose. In addition to the academic program, there is more… a midway where up to fifty vendors and council committees will have exhibits describing how their products and services can enhance your scouting program and a Scout Shop trading post where you can pick up needed items. And finally, there will be a scouting museum where dedicated collectors will be displaying their extensive collections of scouting memorabilia. 

At the closing ceremony, we will be presenting the D. Andrew Grafton Exceptional Trainer Award.  This annual award, presented by the NCAC Leadership Training Committee, recognizes a single NCAC Scouter for sustained, dedicated and highly skilled service to Scouting over the years by demonstrating a high commitment to quality adult leader training. 

The University of Scouting provides all the above, along with great fellowship with dedicated Scouters, making this a day to be remembered. 

Registration is expected to open on or about January 2, 2019. Your registration fee includes morning refreshments, lunch, an event patch, course materials, and a special recognitions.   

Whether you are new to Scouting or a veteran of many years, the University is a place where you can learn from experienced Scouters from all over the council; it truly provides something for everyone.

Hayfield High School is close to the Beltway, just south of Alexandria, VA. Doors open at 7:15 AM. The opening ceremony starts at 8:15 AM with the closing ceremony ending by 4:30. In 2018 over 900 Scouters were in attendance. Help us pass 1000 for 2019!