We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Articles

Occoquan District Day Camp

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by Angela Roth, Camp Director

Occoquan District DAY CAMP was held at Leesylvania State park this past June. Over 118 Cub Scouts took on the theme of “Passport to Adventure” in our beautiful state park that sits on the Potomac River.

While Day Camp offers many traditional Scouting activities like Archery, sling shots and BB guns the boys also took part in Crafts, Woodworking, Nature Study, Field Games, STEM and Fishing stations. The program also offered a chance to walk across a rope bridge and learn all about knots from our district chairman, Mr. Peirce. These Cub Scouts had many opportunities to earn achievements and even shooting awards! Some exciting elements to camp this year were found at the STEM station. Scouts made “potato clocks” and cool magnetic SLIME! In addition, we had a special guest, Mrs. Fox, who taught the boys all about bag pipes and even played them for us. It was a great way to start off our week.

On our last day of camp, we held family fun day! Parents, siblings and other family members all attended camp with their Scouts. Everyone enjoyed crafts and field games together. Even though the annual firetruck spray visit got cancelled due to mechanical issues, the Scouts and their families played in the morning rain and no one left dry.

 

Thank you to all our volunteers and den walkers who made an incredible week of Scouting memories for these young Scouts. Our Program Director, Justin, is already working on next year’s theme, “Under the Sea!” We hope to have you all back for more Scouting adventures next June!

2018 Annual U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony

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The National Capital Area Council – Aquia District Boy Scouts annual Flag Retirement Ceremony is a tradition held every year on June 14th (National Flag Day) at Quantico National Cemetery.

Tim Spaulding VC Programs, Aquia District comments: ”A flag retirement ceremony is meant to honor the American flag, promote flag etiquette and reemphasize its importance and symbolism.

Our American flag is a symbol of our democracy and we just want to make sure that our communities understand the importance of not only honoring our American flag with proper retirement ceremony, but what it means, as well as the importance of the tradition”. Tim Spaulding added: “This is a tremendous honor for those who serve in uniform, for what they sacrifice to maintain our freedom, the flag represents that; it represents our service, our sacrifice, the freedoms that we have, the independence we enjoy and should never take for granted”.

This year Troop 317 of Stafford VA conducted the Color Guard Assembly complete with a bugler. Father Jay Morris – Aquia Episcopal Church Stafford Va. delivered the invocation.

Charles Bingay was our Guest Speaker.

All the World’s a Stage…and This Explorer Post Is Happy About That

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Tanea Johnson as Mary Wells, Edward Byrd as Marvin Gaye, Jasmine Prather as Tammi Terrell, and Khalid Alzouma as Smokey Robinson

Think all Exploring Posts need to be Police or Fire Posts? Think again! One of the most exciting Exploring Posts around centers on the performing arts.

Post 1711 in Potomac District is sponsored by The Finest Performance Foundation. They and Post 1710 have been serving Montgomery County youth since 2011. Their newest show “Heard It Through the Grapevine – Motown Moments Tribute” is written, choreographed, and directed by Rockville resident actor/producer, Kashi-Tara. The music is under the direction of talented pianist/musical director, Angela Walker. This presentation is produced by The Finest in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg.

This theatrical production marks the 6th show presented as part of the seasonal line-ups at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. Former productions include The Wiz, Black Nativity, A Change Gon’ Come (Life of Harriet Tubman), Stick Fly, and Dreamgirls. So be on the look out for more performances or to get more information on this Post please contact Post Advisor Karen Rawlins thefinestperf@aol.com.

Spring Camporee 2018: A Scout Skills Competition and Lots of Fun

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The Patriot District Spring Camporee was held at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA, on April 20-22, with more than 190 Scouts and Scouters gathering to share a weekend of camaraderie and fun. Once again the event was blessed with favorable weather. Saturday brought sunny skies and warm temperatures, and Sunday, although overcast, was free of any rain. Participating Patriot District Units included Troops 50, 114, 1131, 1344, 1346, 1412, 1524, 1535, and 1966. They were joined by Scouts from Troop 150 of the Colonial District, and a girls Webelos Den from Patriot District’s Pack 873. William Wallace, OA Chapter Chief, served as the Camporee Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). It was a great weekend of Scouting activity.

The theme for the camporee was Barbarians at the Gate: Scout Skills in Action. The main program involved a Patrol Skills Competition in which Scouts were challenged to demonstrate their proficiency in various fundamental Scout skills. The theme reflected a complex imagined scenario where a horde of barbarians had crash landed their boats on an island during a storm and required proficiency in numerous areas aligned with basic Scout skills to survive. In addition to traditional opening and closing ceremonies, religious services, and the Saturday evening campfire, other camporee activities included archery, air rifle marksmanship, dodge ball, and scaling the NCAC climbing wall.

A special dessert competition was also held following dinner on Saturday evening, and on Sunday morning Scouts conducted a special service project, planting about 300 tree seedlings at selected locations around Camp Snyder.

Unit Performance Guide

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The Unit Performance Guide methodology is BSA’s approved strategy for starting and sustaining high quality units. Darlene Sprague, National Commissioner Service Resources Chair, describes the key principles:

  • Volunteer-driven, professionally guided. The district executive, new-unit commissioner, and new-unit organizer all work together in the new-unit organization process. Professionals and volunteers partnering together help ensure the proper development of high-quality units.
  • A new-unit commissioner is assigned at the very start of the new-unit organization process. Once the unit is organized, the commissioner serves the unit for three years to help it become a high-quality unit. There should be a 1:1 ratio—one new-unit commissioner for one new unit.
  • Organize every new unit with at least 10 youth. Starting with two dens or patrols or a crew of 10 helps ensure the unit has a good foundation to grow.
  • Recruit at least five adult unit volunteers. Properly selected quality volunteers are important to the successful operation and sustainability of the new unit. Preferably, one of the members should be a new member coordinator. This position can be instrumental in welcoming new families to the unit. Note: The chartered organization representative position should be a separate position and not a multiple position.
  • Develop the unit Key 3 concept. The unit leader, committee chair, and chartered organization representative meet monthly. The assigned new-unit commissioner serves as the advisor to this group.
  • Focus on organizing the whole Scouting family. The whole Scouting family normally includes a pack, a troop, and a crew chartered to the same organization. It can also include a Sea Scout ship.

As we implement Family Scouting and start new girl troops, following these principles will give new units the best chance to serve our families with the Scouting program they deserve in a sustainable manner.

To start sustainable new girl troops in February 2019, the Unit Performance Guide process should be going on now!

Recruitment and Retention

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Recruitment and retention. Aside from program implementation these are two of the most important aspects of maintaining a healthy unit. Be it a pack, troop or crew, without members there can’t be a program.

As we approach the fall and get ready for the “back to school season” it is important that unit leadership work together to formulate a plan for their biggest opportunity for annual recruitment. Opportunities to recruit and engage the community are all around you. From large scale community events, to setting up a table at a back to school event, the opportunities are plentiful.

If you are looking for ideas or want some additional inspiration there are some great resources out there. Online resources like www.Scoutingwire.org contain invaluable information and resources when it comes to marketing and recruitment. For example, the “Adopt A School Program”, is a fantastic way for packs, troops and crews to make a positive impact while further developing relationships with schools in their communities. Of course, the District Committee is always a resource as well. Don’t forget about all the great leadership and veteran Scouters around you.

Remember to delegate. It takes a team to make these recruitment efforts a success. Be sure to utilize the skills already at your disposal. Your www.my.Scouting.org profile and www.beaScout.org site are tremendous tools when it comes to recruitment and processing of applications. Be sure that you are utilizing those Key 3 positions as well as delegating the additional positions to those who are involved in your unit leadership/committee.

DITCH THE PAPER APPS! Ensure that your unit’s www.beaScout.org site and online application portal are active and contain the correct information. If the Scout or Scouter is new they can complete and submit an online application right then and there! Once the applicant has been approved by the unit leadership and paid for, the applicant is then registered. The online system is proven to be faster and more accurate.

Lastly and most importantly, remember that Scouting is FUN! Be sure to engage your audience with a smile! If you’re not having fun, then they probably aren’t either.