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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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Scout Wins Sons of the American Revolution Essay Contest – George Washington Chapter

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Troop 1577 Eagle Scout Russell Welland was recognized by the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution on May 11. He participated in the Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest, and his essay was chosen for recognition by this chapter. At their monthly meeting, he read his essay and received a $500 scholarship.

To participate in this contest, Eagle Scouts write a 500-word essay about an aspect of the American Revolution. They must also document their family tree for four generations. In addition, they can earn additional points if they have earned these merit badges: American Heritage, Genealogy, and Law.

Russell’s essay was about Daniel Morgan from Virginia. Morgan fought in many battles, but he is most famous for the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina. This was a turning point that shifted the war in favor of the Patriots. It helped the Patriot Army change their strategy for how to better engage militiamen (the untrained volunteers) to win in traditional field battles.

As part of his application, Russell earned his American Heritage merit badge with Jim Quinn. Mr. Quinn is an excellent merit badge counselor who also worked with Russell on his Railroading merit badge.

If you are interested in this contest, click here. The George Washington Chapter’s website is here.

The contest is open to all Eagle Scouts until they turn 18 years old.

Photo by Thomas Roth, SAR

Scouting C.A.R.E.S visits the Naval Academy!

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On May 2nd, Scouting C.A.R.E.S. Pack 2700 out of St. Francis Xavier in Southeast, D.C., took their end-of-the-year Scouting field trip to the United States Naval Academy. The students experienced a top university that’s also an active military establishment. The Scouts were lucky enough to participate in marching, naval jargon, and saluting exercises. They were also given a brief tour of the campus athletic facilities, which they absolutely loved. The highlight for Pack 2700 was getting the civilian boats to honk their horns, which sent the Scouts into a frenzy.

“This experience should have a lasting impact on Pack 2700,” commented Michael Fazio, Scouting C.A.R.E.S. Director.

 

 

Scouting Growth Necessitates Expanding Local Presence

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NCAC Markets Two Properties for Sale

WASHINGTON, DC (MAY 8, 2024) – Responding to the changing population trends throughout the Washington, D.C. region and acting on the goal of further expanding Scouting opportunities for our regions youth, National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) has set a course to carefully direct resources and efforts to best serve its mission and the community.

Scouting in the Washington, D.C. region is experiencing continued growth from Frederick, Maryland to Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Recognizing the need to be more accessible to its expanding membership, NCAC has commenced a realignment of its real estate that will result in multiple administrative office/Scout Store locations in the Region.

This realignment is as follows:

The lease at the Scout Store in Springfield, Virginia has been extended. This is one of the most successful Scout Stores in the entire nation and it will continue to serve our mission and membership.

The 21.5-acre parcel located on Route 66 in Haymarket, Virginia will be marketed for sale.  This parcel has no utility for NCAC’s mission nor programs, and has zero connection to Camp William B. Snyder, geographic or otherwise. JLL has been retained to market this site for sale.

The location of the Marriott Scout Service Center (MSSC) (9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda Maryland) is no longer optimal to serving the changing needs of our membership and volunteers. One or more new locations will serve the needs of the Council, while being more convenient for our membership. CPG Realty, LLC has been retained to market this property for sale.

Both MSSC and Haymarket are experiencing historically high values, the sale of each will contribute to the funding for NCAC to locate facilities such as administrative offices, training spaces, and retail stores based on the geographic distribution of NCAC stakeholders throughout the Washington DC Beltway and beyond, now and in the future.

These decisions have been made with the singular purpose of better serving and supporting current and future Scouts, their families, and dedicated volunteers by expanding NCAC’s footprint throughout the region.

From the Spring of 1911 when Boy Scout units were first formed at the YMCA Building on G Street, NW in Washington, D.C. through the next nine locations in the District of Columbia before moving to Bethesda, Maryland in 1974, the NCAC has progressively moved Scouting programs and youth access forward by relocating their administrative and retail commercial spaces.

“We are excited to embark on this next chapter of NCAC’s history,” stated Council Chief Executive Officer, Mario Pérez. “The population centers have expanded outward during the last 50 years and our families and leaders want convenient locations that meet their needs.”

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 About BSA and the National Capital Area Council

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of more than 1 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and more than 477,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. Since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million young men and women have participated in the BSA’s youth programs. More than 35 million adult volunteers have helped carry out the BSA’s mission. The BSA announced that it will rebrand to Scouting America, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcome every youth and family in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th anniversary. For more information, please visit www.Scouting.org.

National Capital Area Council (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. 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.

The History & Archives Committee’s Scout History Reception and Museum Unveiling

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On May 6th, 2024, The History & Archives Committee held a Scout History Reception at the Mariott Scout Service Center – unveiling a spectacular display of Scout Historic Memorabilia, the largest display ever at any Council Office! The History Committee strives to preserve and protect local and national Scouting History – to educate future generations about Scouting’s rich heritage and service and its many positive contributions to the community and the nation, whether it be through programs like H.O.S.T Hikes (History Of Scouting Trail), H.O.S.T.I.N.G (Helping Other Scout Troops Incorporate Needed Gear) or holding events like this reception!
Here are some photos from the museum:
    

A huge thanks to Michael Groover, the Vice-Chair & Master of Ceremonies, who worked very hard setting up all the displays, which definitely paid off.

It doesn’t end there because National Scout Families celebrities were also present!
These Guests of Honor include:
Ann Hornaday, granddaughter of William T. Hornaday, which the now Distinguished Service Conservation Award had been initially named after.
Charity Goodman, granddaughter of E. Urner Goodman, one of the founders of the Order of the Arrow.
Julia Seton, the granddaughter of Ernest Thompson Seton, donated 500 medals to start the History Award at NCAC.
Kellye French, Conservation Chairwoman and BSA trainer, donated a photo of the BSA Indie Car signed by its driver, Dale Coyne (As seen below).

 

 

Scout Overcomes Challenges to Reaching Eagle Rank

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Aquia District Troop 850’s Newest Eagle Scout – Thomas Gill

Eighteen-year-old Thomas Gill celebrated earning the BSA rank of Eagle Scout on Saturday, April 20th, with a ceremony and reception held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Local leaders, State Senator Tara Durant, Delegate Paul Milde, and Senior Vice Commandant of the Marine Corps League, Jack Maas Detachment, Christina Wanzer, attended the ceremony and honored Thomas with commendations.

Thomas is a Senior at Mountain View High School and led Scouts BSA Troop 850 from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in the Aquia District, National Capital Area Council, to build a rain-barrel reclamation system at Widewater State Park to supply water to volunteers watering a pollinator garden and park maintenance. Thomas, with his fellow Scouts and his dad, Dennis, built stands for rain barrels from scratch and retrofitted plain, cheaper barrels to show the Scout Law value of being Thrifty.

Thomas raised funds for the project from friends and family members. He successfully executed the project within three months. Thomas earned 21 Merit Badges, including Disability Awareness, Nuclear Science, and Railroading, the latter being his favorite. This culminated in his earning the rank of Eagle Scout on December 20th, 2023. When asked how he feels about obtaining the Rank, Thomas says, “I can do hard things like this because I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” quoting Philippians 4:13.

Thomas faced uncommon challenges on his way to Scouts BSA’s highest rank. Thomas has Spina Bifida, a neural tube birth defect that affects his ability to walk and do physically demanding tasks. He can walk very short distances with forearm crutches.

Thomas started his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in the National Capital Area Council Pack 845 while in the second grade. According to Thomas’ Mom, Elba, Thomas’ Cub Scout Pack Leader, “Joe Hernandez, an active-duty Marine, encouraged Thomas to always do his best and never give up and it worked!” Thomas says he joined Troop 850 “because they welcomed me without anyone asking what was wrong with my legs.” He went on multiple camping trips and hikes with his Troop, including a ten-miler at Gettysburg. He held several leadership positions in Troop 850 including Historian and Chaplains Aide.

Reaching the Scouts BSA’s highest rank is a rare achievement. Only a very small percentage, less than six percent, of Scouts, attain the rank before their eighteenth birthday. Thomas has done it despite having a challenging physical disability. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at his Eagle Scout Board of Review on December 20, 2023.

Thomas will graduate this May and plans to attend Germanna Community College with plans to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, then potentially transfer to a four-year university.

Patuxent Cub & Pal

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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!!