Every Scout learns and practices serving others as a core part of the ethos of Scouting BSA. The Cub Scouts and adult leaders of Pack 197 of Aquia District lived this spirit of community service in two events last November. They serve as a great example for the rest of us!
Four Cub Scouts and two adult leaders from Pack 197, sponsored by Ferry Farms Baptist Church, honored our Nation’s Veterans by performing a flag ceremony during an annual Veterans Day breakfast celebration at Ferry Farm Elementary School on November 9, 2023. This was a great example of what Scouts mean when the say in the BSA Scout’s Promise: “On my Honor, I will Do My Best, to do my Duty to God & my Country…”
After the flags were clipped to the halyards (the ropes used to hoist flags), Eli, a Wolf Scout, presented the American flag, while Bear Scout, John, presented the Virginia state flag to those assembled around the flagpoles. Bear Scout Gabriel then hoisted the American and Virginia flags up the flagpole while LeRoy led the Scouts and assembled Veterans in the Pledge of Allegiance. Joining their Scouts were Mr. John Ridout – Bear Den Leader – and Mr. Adrian West – Pack Treasurer and a U.S. Army 
Veteran who served in Afghanistan.
The Cub Scouts and their leaders were proud and humbled to participate in a ceremony honoring our Veterans for their service to our Nation.
The next mid-November event demonstrated that Scouting is for the whole Family!
Ferry Farm Baptist Church, the chartering organization of Pack 197, participates in a program called “Operations Christmas Child” that gathers and sends boxes of supplies to children in need in foreign countries. The Church leaders asked the Pack to participate.
Pack 197 Scouts, Scouting families and adult leaders eagerly gathered donations to buy and fill 11 shoebox size
containers with toys, school supplies, hygiene supplies, and clothing as a part of Operation Christmas Child. What they did made a difference for children they’ll never meet – this is the Scout Spirit of selfless service in action!
Time for your family to join in the fun and spirit of Scouting? To join BSA, please go to www.beascout.org to find a BSA Scout unit near you – Cub Scouting serves families with children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade; Scouts BSA serves families with children ages 11-18. There are BSA programs for families with older Youths, ages 14 – 20, including Venturing, Exploring or Sea Scouting.
The mission of the BSA 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 includes Stafford County and Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information on Scouting in Stafford/Fredericksburg area, including how to donate, join or volunteer, contact Kristy Freeman, Aquia District Executive, at Kristy.Freeman@Scouting.org or (540)287-3866
2024 will be Elisabeth’s 8th summer at Goshen and second year as Reservation Director. Previously, Elisabeth worked at Lenhok’sin High Adventure for six summers in a variety of positions, including Camp Director and Program Director. As a Venture Scout, she was a camper at Camp Bowman for many summers. Elisabeth is a graduate of Dickinson College where she studied Environmental Science. She is very excited to share her love and passion for Goshen with you!
Henry has been active in Scouting since 2008, when he joined his local Cub Scout pack. After attending Camps Ross and PMI, he crossed over into Scouts BSA in 2013 and made many amazing memories at Camp Bowman over seven consecutive seasons. Henry joined Bowman staff in 2019 as an instructor in the Culturecraft area, helping Scouts learn to be good citizens of their communities and the world. He served Bowman most recently as Camp Commissioner and fulfilled his lifelong dream of driving the UTV to every corner of camp. He is honored to be part of a long tradition of serving Scouts and Scouting, and he can’t wait to see Scouts at camp having just as much fun as he did!
Joe is excited to return to Goshen for his 10th summer and 2nd as camp director. Prior to working at camp Joe camped at Olmsted, Marriott, and Snyder and also attended Philmont, Seabase, and the centennial Jamboree. Well versed in what scouting has to offer and passionate about camp, he is always looking for ways to improve program as well as the overall camp experience to ensure that Marriott stays the place to be.
This summer will be Bailey’s seventh year on the Goshen staff and her first as the Olmsted Camp Director! During her time at camp, Bailey has served as Business Manager, Scoutcraft and Trailshead Area Director, as well as working in shooting sports. Bailey lives and attends college in Virginia. Her fondest Goshen memories involve watching scouts and her staff learn new skills and overcome challenges. Bailey is looking forward to continuing this tradition in her new position of responsibility along with having the opportunity to work one-one-one with the leaders bringing the troops to camp.
Drew first attended Ross as a Webelos Scout in 2011 and returned in 2014 as a den chief with his younger brother. The following year he returned as a CIT and has been working at camp ever since. Drew spent his first 5 years working at Ross’s Nature Center becoming the Area Director in 2019. He was a part of our Webelos Homecamping staff during Covid before becoming Program Director in 2021. This will be Drew’s 10th Summer on staff and 2nd summer as Camp Director. When Drew is not at camp, he is finishing his History Degree from Southern New Hampshire University and works as a Substitute Teacher in Richmond, Virginia. Drew is excited to return and continue creating an amazing program for your scouts, and hopes to give them a great summer and introduction to scouting.
This is Daniel’s 19th summer at Goshen and 5th at Lenhok’sin. He started as a junior staffer at Camp PMI in 2006 and earned his Eagle Scout in 2008. Earning an Associate Degree at Montgomery College and then a BA in History at University of Maryland, College Park, he has spent the last few years working as a substitute teacher when not trekking and teaching Scouts at Goshen. He is most looking forward to assembling and preparing an amazing staff that can provide Troops and Crews with an outstanding experience on the trail.
Find your next summer adventure at camp! Each summer, our camps employ close to 300 youth and adults as camp staff – one of the most fun summer jobs you could ever have! Work a fulfilling and enjoyable summer job and get valuable experience and trainings to put on your resume and valuable skills to bring to future jobs.
Unleash the hero in you and get ready for a super summer! Apply to work at Camp Snyder, where the 2024 Camp Theme – Superheroes – is carried through archery, nature, crafts, swimming, boating and all camp activities as Cub Scouts and their leaders have fun in both day camp and weekend overnight settings. Finish out the summer with two weeks of Merit Badge program for Scouts BSA with a core of expert Scouting volunteers.
Staff must be 15 years of age or older to be an instructor and 16 or older to work at Goshen’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Not yet 15? Apply to be a Counselor-in-Training at age 14 at any of our Cub Scout, Webelos, or Scouts BSA Resident Camps. We’re also on the lookout for those 18 years of age or older to take on leadership positions and those 21 years of older to fill specialized positions.
On December 10, Caleb, a new Cub Scout with Pack 126 attended a Pack Pinewood Derby Session and earned the “distinct privilege and high honor” of creating the 2000th pinewood derby car in Michael’s Woodshop! Caleb’s Cubmaster describes him as an enthusiastic Cub Scout who is a friend to all and who has thoroughly enjoyed the Pack activities. These qualities were on full display as he crafted his car in Michael’s Woodshop. To commemorate the occasion, Caleb was presented with a special Pinewood Derby Car display stand with a 2000th Car inscription. Please join us in wishing Caleb the best of luck in his races, but in our book, he is already a winner!
also a great venue for hosting Eagle Scout projects and can be reserved for many other unit activities.
On September 10th, the Troop 12 scouts were at Manassas Airport where each scout got to fly as a passenger in a single engine plane thanks to Dallas of Flywyld, LLC. This trip was a highlight of their working on their aviation merit badge. During this visit, each scout had to record certain facts and observations as a part of the merit badge requirements.
On Sept. 22nd, one of the Troop 12 Scouts, Ben, was on Good Morning America to show how a letterboard allows non-verbal people to communicate. That’s Ben in the front row with the glasses.
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia camp. This was a cabin and tent camping event that started on Friday evening at 4pm. Parents and some scouts unloaded cars and set up rooms and beds and the rest of the Scouts checked out the camp. They were easily monitored as all cabins faced the 360 open pavilion. The Shrine Mont dinner bell tolled around 5:30 pm, so the group drove or hiked to the 2nd floor dining hall in the prominent white-with-green-trim 1850’s Virginia House at the center of town, passing inviting rockers out front. There was a wonderful aroma of abundant home cooked food waiting for the Scouts. After dinner, there was a campfire with s’mores, and everyone fell asleep to the sound of rain.
On Sunday after breakfast, Assistant Troop Chaplain Nick lead a prayer service in front of one of the cabins with the cabin steps as pews. After packing out of Shrine Mont, several families drove to explore nearby Lake Laura, then had lunch and headed home.
