We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Articles

Michael’s Woodshop Sails into New Waters!

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On September 19-20, Michael’s Woodshop supported its first Quartermaster Leadership Service Project. Similar to earning the rank of Eagle Scout, Sea Scouts must carry out a service project to earn the rank of Quartermaster. Able Sea Scout William Kennedy, in pursuing the rank of Quartermaster, organized volunteers in constructing a picnic table for Gateway Baptist Church. William planned his project and organized volunteers for two evening work sessions in Michael’s Woodshop. The first evening was focused on cutting and sanding and the second was dedicated to assembly. It was a successful and productive couple of days and the end result was outstanding!

In addition to many other Scouting activities, William has volunteered in Michael’s Woodshop, starting as a Youth Assistant and recently becoming an adult volunteer. During this time, he has always eyed the Eagle and Summit Award plaques hanging on the wall to commemorate projects carried out in the shop. In addition to earning the rank of Eagle Scout and now being a Sea Scout Quartermaster Candidate, he will also enjoy the privilege of having his own plaque on the Michael’s Woodshop “Wall of Fame”.

Michael’s Woodshop can be reserved by Scouts to work on Eagle Scout, Summit Award and Quartermaster Projects. The shop is staffed by experienced volunteers who can assist with project planning and will be on hand to instruct, guide and supervise tool use. We are always looking for additional Shop Volunteers. Roles are available for adults and youth, from novices to experienced woodworkers. Please go to “Join the Woodshop Team” to learn more.

To learn more about the woodshop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop Webpage or email questions to the volunteer team at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.

Scout Earns Medal of Merit for Performing Life Saving CPR

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Liam S. was awarded The Medal of Merit for saving his Assistant Scoutmaster’s life. The Medal of Merit successfully recognizes those who have performed acts of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflect an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others. Liam was out on a routine walk with his dog and witnessed his neighbor and Assistant Scout Master Jack collapse. He was able to perform CPR and keep up blood circulation until the EMTs arrived. With Liam’s help, Jack was able to make it to the hospital in a timely manner and recover.

During the night of the ceremony, Jack was able to pin the medal on the young Scout that saved his life. Jack not only thanked Liam but reflected on the importance of the Scout skills he teaches his Troop and other youth. These skills prepare our Scouts for life, to be stellar members of the community, and ultimately can contribute to saving a life.

 

 

Potomac District Welcomes Ten New Eagles

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The September 2023 NCAC Potomac District Monthly Eagle Board of Review for 10 Scouts was held last night.

Congratulations to all the new 🦅 Eagles Scouts and their proud families! Special thanks to all the Scouters, the EBOR Chairs and those who assisted theses 10 Scouts on their journey to reach the 🦅 Eagles rank!

Last but not least Potomac District cannot put this monthly event without the leadership and time devoted by Larry McNiece, Potomac District Eagle Chair!

The new Eagle Scouts and his/her proud family might find the following websites useful.

http://usscouts.org/eagle/eaglecongrats.asp

https://oa-bsa.org/resources/ucl-support/eagle-scout-congratulatory-letter

The Association of Top Achiever Scouts (ATAS) is a worldwide Scouting fellowship group, of Scouts and Scouters who have achieved the highest rank as a youth in their Scout associations such as King’s Scout, Queen’s Scout, President’s Scout, Fuji Scout, Tiger Scout, Eagle Scout, Summit, Quartermaster.

https://www.atasapr.org

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Innovation Academy: welding, 3d printing, coding, robotics

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We are excited to offer this workshop series for girls and boys ages 14+ to learn about welding, 3d printing, coding and robotics! This program is called Exploring with Innovation Academy, and takes place in Alexandria, VA at Building Momentum, a problem-solving organization with expertise in training people of all ages in fabrication and building technologies.  Learn more and register at: https://scoutingevent.com/082-innovation

 

Whom is this program for?

This is for individuals ages 14 – 21, with an interest in learning! You do not have to have experience in any of the fabrication technologies – Building Momentum’s educators are experts at teaching individuals at all skill levels. Do you like tactile activities? This is for you!

When?

  • This program will run every other Monday, 5pm – 8pm, beginning 10/23
  • The educational workshops are: 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, optional 12/18
  • Additonally should plan to attend any 5 community days to serve as volunteers and get the required experience with hands-on shop times. There are many weekend and no-school days to attend community days:
    2023: 11/3, 11/7, 11/11, 11/22, 11/24, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20
    2024: 1/15, 1/22, 2/11, 2/19, 3/18, 3/22, 3/25, 3/26, 3/27, 3/28, 3/29, 4/1, 4/2, 4/10, 5/3, 5/27, 6/7

Where?

Building Momentum | 5380 Eisenhower Ave Suite C, Alexandria, VA 22304

What will you learn?

Each of the 5 sessions will be focused on a specific area. Roughly speaking, the focus of October is welding, November is 3D printing and CAD, December is robotics/coding.

Exploring with Innovation Academy is a fun and hands-on program to learn many skills and explore future careers! This is our second semester of offering the program – please check out the experiences of our first cohort from this spring: Innovation Academy: building 3D printers in 3 hours – We Own Adventure

We hope to see you in the fall series!

Please reach out to stem@ncacbsa.org with questions or sign up for the program here.

NCAC Eagle Scout Earns First Place in National Paralympic Rifle Championships

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Patriot District Scout Earns Paralympic Gold!

Eagle Scout Ben H. of Troop 1525 in Annandale recently took first place in two national paralympic rifle championships. He earned gold in 10-meter precision air rifle and 50-meter smallbore rifle in the paralympic division of the U.S. Junior Olympics in Colorado Springs, CO in April, and repeated the feat in the same events at the USA Shooting National Championship at Fort Moore, GA in June.
Ben is a senior at Woodson H.S. in Fairfax, where he is co-captain of the rifle team. He’s also a leader in his Troop, where he has served as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. For his Eagle project, he improved the path between the parking lot and indoor air rifle range at the Izaak Walton League in Centreville, allowing wounded warriors and other wheelchair users easy access the range.
Ben credits Scouting for his success in competitive rifle. He had never fired a rifle of any sort until attending a weekend Troop shoot as a new Scout. Ben decided he liked rifle shooting so much that he signed up for the merit badge the following year at summer camp. However, he was unable to finish the merit badge at camp. An Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 1525 who was also an assistant rifle team coach at Woodson introduced Ben to an experienced paralympic rifle coach who knew how to adapt the sport to Ben’s disability. Ben not only quickly completed the merit badge, but learned how to be an effective competitor. Five years later, Ben won two national championships!
When asked the secret of his success, Ben said “don’t look back and don’t let mistakes wear you down – move on and find new solutions that will let you succeed. And most of all, ‘Be Prepared.’”