A wonderful, albeit soggy, time was had at the Patuxent Cub & Pal on Saturday! “A Sailing” we went, so it makes sense there was water involved! From knots to fishing, treasure hunting to pirate games, there was even a Raingutter Regatta! Fun was had by all, and many thanks to all the volunteers!!
The new name reflects the continuing efforts to welcome everyone to experience the benefits of Scouting.
WASHINGTON, DC (May 7, 2024) – The Boy Scouts of America today announced that it will be changing its name to Scouting America. This change reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcoming every youth in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The name change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th birthday.
This announcement also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Boy Scouts of America currently serves 176,234 girls and young women across all programs, including more than 6,000 who have earned Eagle Scout status.
“Our commitment is to all youth in our community,” stated Scout Executive/CEO Mario A. Pérez. “In the National Capital Area Council we know that one of our greatest assets is the rich diversity that characterizes our community. Inclusivity broadens our perspectives, makes us stronger, and better equips our youth to navigate the challenges in life. The use of Scouting America will help us connect with more youth from all backgrounds as we continue our work to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”
Scouting America builds on the organization’s 114 years of helping America’s youth. Its ongoing goal is to provide young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, fostering their growth and future outcomes as leaders, and be prepared for life. At the same time, values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.
More than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting programs since its founding in 1910, and currently, more than 1 million youth, including both men and women, are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. To date, more than 2.75 million youth have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.
Last year, National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) delivered the promise of Scouting to over 33,000 youth including 4,315 girls and young women across all programs. NCAC’s programs train the next generation of leaders; give back to the community through service; and teach young people to “Be Prepared” for life, adventure, and education.
In addition to supporting the nation’s youth, Scouting America will continue to be an important asset to strengthen our communities, having provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer services for community improvement and other projects across the country.
About Scouting America
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 1 million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, visit Scouting.org.
About National Capital Area Council (NCAC)
NCAC was organized in 1911 and today stands as one of the oldest and the largest councils in America. Scouts from NCAC perform in excess of 400,000 hours of community service each year under the guidance of over 14,000 adult leaders. 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; the U.S. Virgin Islands; and US Scouting families living abroad in North, Central, and South America. For more information, please visit www.NCACBSA.org.
ACE Adventure Resort’s 1500-acre resort, located in the heart of the New River Gorge National Park in Southern West Virginia, has been serving the Scouting community for over 40 years. The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve and High Adventure camp are just a 20-minute drive away.
Scouts use ACE as a single-day location for rafting and the waterpark or a multi-day location that provides a budget-friendly option for a multi-day to weeklong camp.
The Resort provides 40 miles of hiking and biking trails for guests to discover the beauty of “These West Virginia Hills.” The New River region of the state is the home of high adventure, and ACE provides lodging, meals, and guided activities that Scouts incorporate into their programming to build confidence, discover activities that challenge individuals, and develop troop cohesiveness.
Budget-friendly lodging options include primitive camping, bunkhouses, and cabin tents. You’ll find shower houses with hot running water strategically placed throughout the resort.
ACE’s Wonderland Waterpark is a great place to keep your Scouts active between guided activities and the perfect option to finish the day’s adventures.
In addition to rafting the Upper or Lower New River, you can choose from land-based (zip lining, rock climbing, aerial park, hiking, and mountain biking) or water-based (rafting, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding) activities.
The New River Gorge High Adventure Package, created with Scouts in mind, offers a week of guided adventures, waterpark passes, and primitive camping with the addition of a six piece patch set.
Be sure to check out the New River Gorge National Park Junior Ranger Program and Scout Ranger Program.
Both are available free of charge as a part of the NPS programming for youth.
If the goal of your trip to Southern West Virginia is to hike every day, then the New River Gorge National Park will not disappoint.
ACE provides activities for youth as young as four years old, young adults, and seasoned leaders. Non-profit group rates are available for lodging, activities, and meals. Discover ACE as your “go-to” location when visiting the New River Gorge and add high adventure programming to your Troop’s 2024 Summer activities.
Call Agnes Casto in Group Sales @ 304-469-0130 to plan your trip.
During the last weekend of April, Troop 1444 held a Camp-In Event at the Transfiguration Parish. Instead of setting up tents, the troops settled inside the church for the weekend, playing games and enjoying the interior!
For breakfast, the Troop enjoyed some fried Twinkies and later went on a nice hike. Events like these may be simple, but they stick with the Scouts, giving them a unique view of how Scouts can camp.
Inspired by the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Summit last month, Troop 360 Senior Patrol Leader Cam, Outdoor Ethics Guide Troy, and Den Chiefs Leigh and Tucker developed a program to teach outdoor ethics to Pack 1166. They started by training their fellow Den Chiefs, Anna and Evan. At the March Pack 1166 meeting, Troop 360 Scouts led the Cubs in learning hand motions for the Outdoor Code and hand motions for the Leave No Trace principles, then explained their meaning. Engaging games like “Camp Oh-No!“, “Surface Hopscotch” and “Trash Timeline” (learned from the Summit) reinforced the lessons in a fun way. Troop 360 further encouraged all Cub Scouts to pursue the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award for Cubs. Bravo Troop 360 & Pack 1166!
In alignment with the Boy Scouts of America’s mission, Pack 578 embarked on a journey throughout the year to instill values of the Scout Oath and Law among young boys and girls from kindergarten to fifth grade. Chartered by Richlands Baptist Church and meeting at Rocky Run Elementary, the pack orchestrated a series of events and activities aimed at fostering personal growth, community engagement, and a spirit of service.
The pack’s commitment to safety and skill development was evident through two “pack the pool” events and a summer canoeing expedition, ensuring that scouts acquired essential swimming and boating competencies in a secure environment. Additionally, multiple pack hikes through local national and state parks provide opportunities for physical activity, appreciation of nature, and camaraderie among members.
Demonstrating a proactive approach to safety extended to the streets, Pack 578 collaborated with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office for a bike rodeo, enlightening scouts on bike safety amidst traffic, thereby equipping them with crucial knowledge for navigating urban landscapes responsibly.
Acknowledging the invaluable service of first responders, the pack organized a special pack meeting. At the meeting, scouts expressed gratitude and donated $1000 worth of popcorn to the local Stafford County Fire Department, symbolizing appreciation for their unwavering dedication to the community’s well-being.
Pack 578’s commitment to alleviating food insecurity manifested through their participation in Scouting for Food, which resulted in the collection of over 500 pounds of food and $100 for a local food pantry. This underscores their unwavering dedication to addressing pressing societal needs.
In a heartwarming gesture of compassion, the pack donated 17 winter coats to children in Stafford County Public Schools, embodying the Scout principle of kindness and demonstrating solidarity with those in need during colder months.
Honoring the nation’s fallen heroes and preserving historical legacies, Pack 578 participated in Wreaths Across America by laying down and cleaning up wreaths at Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg. Additionally, they undertook the solemn duty of cleaning up Fredericksburg Battlefield Cemetery, paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Moreover, the pack contributed to Fredericksburg Luminaria by folding 250 bags and aiding in the filling of 18,000 sandbags, illustrating their commitment to community beautification and remembrance.
During a poignant moment at their spring campout, Pack 578 reverently retired 14 American Flags that had served their purpose, honoring the nation’s symbol with dignity and respect, thereby instilling a sense of duty and reverence among scouts towards their country’s emblems.
Pack 578’s Year in Review encapsulates a journey marked by learning, service, and camaraderie, embodying the core tenets of Scouting while leaving an indelible impact on their community and beyond.
