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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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Local Scouts Ask for Public to Support Doorstep Food Collection Drive

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Local Scouts Ask for Public to Support Doorstep Food Collection Drive

Annual drive steps up efforts to address unprecedented food insecurity

October 24, 2025 – Washington, DC For 39 years, Scouts across the Washington, DC metropolitan area have united to fight hunger through their annual “Scouting for Food” campaign. This fall, the Scouting America National Capital Area Council (NCAC) will once again mobilize thousands of youth and families to collect food donations for neighbors facing food insecurity.

In advance of the collection day, Scouts will distribute notes on doors to inform residents about the drive. On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Scouts will return to neighborhoods to gather non-perishable food items left out by community members. Residents who receive a notice on their door are encouraged to leave their donations in bags or boxes on their doorsteps for easy pickup.

This service project reflects the values of Scouting America, especially the commitment to “help other people at all times,” as stated in the Scout Oath and “Do a Good Turn Daily.” It’s a hands-on way for young people to live out the principles of service, kindness, and civic responsibility.

“In 2024, our Scouts collected more than 468,000 pounds of food to support families in need throughout our Council area,” said Mario A. Pérez, CEO and Scout Executive/CEO of NCAC. “We know that a significant number of residents in our region are facing food insecurity right now. Our Scouts, their families, and adult leaders are stepping up to make a meaningful impact. Scouting for Food is a powerful example of how we prepare youth for lives of purpose and service.”

Scouting for Food is one of the largest annual food drives in the region, engaging Scouts aged 5 to 20 across the District of Columbia; Maryland counties including Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s; and Virginia counties including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Stafford, and Culpeper—as well as the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg.

The urgency of this effort is underscored by the Capital Area Food Bank’s Hunger Report 2025, which reveals that 36% of residents in the Greater Washington Region continue to face food insecurity. Even more concerning, the number of people experiencing very low food security—the most severe category—has grown by 75,000 in the past year alone. To learn more, read the full report at: Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Report 2025.

Held each fall before Thanksgiving, Scouting for Food helps stock the shelves of local food banks during the critical holiday season. The community’s support is essential.

Most-needed items include:

  • Canned proteins (tuna, chicken, salmon)
  • Peanut butter
  • Pasta, rice, and other grains
  • Whole grain cereals and oatmeal
  • Canned vegetables and fruits

Together, Scouts and their neighbors are making a difference—one doorstep and one donation at a time.

Scouting for Food is made possible in part by a grant from the Safeway Foundation.

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About Scouting America and the National Capital Area Council

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 one million youth are served by 477,000 adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit https://beascout.scouting.org/

Scouting America National Capital Area Council (NCAC) was organized in 1911 and today stands as one of the oldest and largest councils in America. Scouts from the NCAC do over 400,000 hours of community service each year. 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. For more information, please visit www.ncacscouting.org/

 

 

First Female Eagle Scout in Piedmont District Honored

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Fauquier Now reported on the public acclaim for Anna S. who is the first female Eagle Scout in the Piedmont District of Scouting America National Capital Area Council when, during the Fauquier County School Board’s monthly meeting, Superintendent Major Warner recognized her for her Eagle Project at Liberty High School. Read the full article here: NEIGHBORS: Liberty High School student honored as first female Eagle Scout in Piedmont District | Neighbors | fauquiernow.com

Girls and boys can work to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Anna’s project exemplifies the adaptability and resilience that Scouting America instills in our Scouts. All youth are welcome to join and be prepared for life!

A Successful Mission for Hands-on History

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Cub Scouts from Pack 8 in Bethesda, Maryland inquired about having a history presentation with the intent of inspiring the Scouts and their parents for the upcoming year. In response, NCAC’s History Committee member, Michael Groover, shared part of his extensive memorabilia on Saturday, August 23, 2025. His display and presentation centered on the history of Scouting America.

The event was part of the Scouts’ three activities during the summertime for the Scouts to earn the Summertime Fun Adventure loop. While at the Marriott Scout Service Center they also added a shopping component at the National Capital Scout Shop to gear up for the next rank’s activities.

Jon Breece, Wolf Den Leader, reported that “The parents–including me–and the Scouts learned a lot. My son, a Presidential history enthusiast, particularly liked seeing the old photographs of FDR at the 1937 National Jamboree in Washington, DC. I saw others liked seeing the footage and photos of Scouts from yesteryear and comparing their uniforms with older versions.”

“For me, the presentation and artifacts made me consider how our present-day Pack 8 families are a part of a larger and longer story of Scouting and think about how we can weave that history and stories of service and adventure into our programming this year.”

More about our Pack: https://www.bethesdapack8.org/

WTOP Reports McLean Troop Saves Life on Bike Trip

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Our Scouts and leaders were prepared for life and saved a life! With the skills learned for the First Aid Merit Badge on what to do for a heart attack and the leader Basic CPR/AED training for an upcoming high adventure trip, members of Troop 1916 acted fast and knew what to do resulting in a life saved. Their message is for everyone to be trained in CPR.
These Scouts didn’t just learn CPR—they learned to stay calm under pressure, to care for others, and to act with courage and compassion. Scouting America develops future leaders. It equips youth with real-world skills and the confidence to use them when it matters most.
To the Scouts of Troop 1916: thank you for showing us what preparedness and character look like in action.

Eagle Project Renovates Cancer Center’s Wig Fitting Room

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Arlington Patch featured a story about an Eagle Scout project at the Sid and Reba Dewberry Cancer Center at VHC Health in Arlington.

Abbud renovated the wig fitting room to elevate the space and take it beyond a storage closet space.

Read the story on Patch at this link: Wig Fitting Room Gets Makeover Thanks To Eagle Scout Project | Arlington, VA Patch

 

 

New Scout’s First Summer Camp

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My name is William C., and I am a member of Scouting America Troop 1717B in Hartwood, Virginia. I joined Troop 1717B on May 2, 2025, when I completed my Cub Scout journey and achieved my Arrow of Light. Since joining the Troop, the older Scouts, Scoutmaster and other Scout leaders have welcomed me and taught me a lot about Scouting, the outdoors and being a valuable member of my community. Their kindness and enthusiasm for Scouting led me to decide to join the Troop’s weeklong Summer Camping trip.

From June 29th to July 5th, 2025, Troop 1717B attended summer camp at the Pipisco Scout Reservation Camp Lions in Spring Grove, Virginia near Williamsburg. As a first-year Scout, I was a bit nervous about going camping without my parents. However, this camping experience was epic! The older Scouts immediately were kind, took care of me and reassured me of all the fun ahead. After my initial reservations, I quickly realized how much fun we were having.

On the first night there was a camp-wide celebration with great music. During the week, I participated in the Huskanaw, “Rite of Passage”, Program for new Scouts. I learned many camping skills and skills that are basics for Scouting America. I learned the Scout Oath, Law and Motto, which are the guiding tenants of what it means to be a Scout. We were able to go to a climbing wall, swim in the pool, go canoeing, play gaga ball and even learn about game design. The camp staff was very nice and cheerful and made sure they kept the Scouts happy, even when it was hot. The food was also really good!

The week went by very quickly, and I learned a lot. I was able to complete my first Scout Rank, completed three merit badges and even was certified to carry a pocketknife and taught how to properly build fires. It made me feel very proud to have done all this with the help of my fellow Scouts and my adult leaders.

My first Scouting experience was awesome, and I highly recommend that anyone who is interested in Scouting go and check out your local Troop to see if you can have as much fun as I am having! “Be Prepared!”

Are you ready to begin your family’s Scouting adventures too? To join Scouting America, please go to www.beascout.org to find a Scout unit near you – Cub Scouting serves families with children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade; Scouts BSA serves families with children ages 10-18. There are also Scouting America programs for families with older Youths, ages 14 – 20, including becoming Venturers, Explorers or Sea Scouts.

The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Aquia District is part of Scouting America, National Capital Area Council. Aquia District includes Stafford County, Virginia, and Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information on Scouting in the Stafford/Fredericksburg area, including how to donate, join or volunteer, contact Kristy Freeman, Aquia District Executive, at Kristy.Freeman@Scouting.org or call (540)287-3866.