Scouting events and activities are run by Scouts with the watchful eyes of the Scout Master of Troop 15 Bethesda looking at the newest Scout who came from Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹 participating in the Eagle Court of Honor for Christopher L!
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2023 NCAC Venturing Court of Honor
The NCAC Venturing Court of Honor was held on Sunday. Outstanding Venturers were presented with the Summit, Ranger, Council Venturing Leadership, and Territory Venturing Leadership awards. Congratulations to all of the honorees and the new Council Venturing Officers Association members!
Venturing is a year-round program for young men and women ages 14-20 (or 13 and have completed 8th grade) that provides positive experiences through exciting and meaningful youth-run activities that help them pursue their special interests, grow by teaching others, and develop leadership skills. To learn more visit:
https://www.ncacbsa.org/venturing-program/
Proud of our graduating Explorers!
Throughout the year, Prince George’s County Police Department operates a law enforcement Exploring program at six of their stations. Youth meet weekly for hands-on skills trainings on physical fitness, radios, traffic safety, and forensics; and they participate in regular community service activities.
The Explorer Posts support community events like National Night Out, Toys for Tots, Shop with a Cop, sporting events, and local fairs.
This month, we celebrate all the Explorers who are graduating – both from the program and their high schools!
Explorer Advisors Sgt Jeffries & Cpl Muse were on hand to support and congratulate Explorer A. Perry from Explorer Post 301 as he graduated from Fairmont Heights High School. Chief Aziz & all of the PGPD are proud of your achievement Explorer Perry! 
Explorer Post 1111 celebrated their final post meeting for the 2022-2023 school year. Several Explorers were promoted in rank and a special dedication was given to Explorer Captain Villalobos. We are so proud of all the Explorers.
Last but not least, we are overjoyed to share that one former Explorer from PGPD Post 222 is going on to begin her police career with the Forest Heights Police Department.
Troop 1577 Enjoys Canoe Trip on Potomac
Troop 1577 had perfect weather for a canoe trip over Memorial Day weekend. Two members of Crew 1577 also joined on the trip.
Starting at Paw Paw Tunnel campground, we paddled to Stickpile campsite along the C&O Canal on Day 1, and then to Little Orleans on Day 2.
Most of the Troop members had never paddled this far before. This trip had unfortunately been cancelled for three years due to COVID, unsafe water levels or other weather-related issues. Most had never paddled in the stern, so it was an opportunity for many Scouts and adults to learn how to steer.
To retain the Troop’s canoe skills, we had run a series of beginner paddling sessions on Reston lakes. This allowed the Scouts to learn basic safety and form, if not endurance. We also did a clean-up of the shoreline by canoe.
Arrow of Light Scout Awarded Charles H. Townes Supernova Award
Sam B. has been actively pursuing interests in science and technology ever since returning to in-person school after the Pandemic. He actively pursued extracurricular science groups and the Science Fair, and he started to notice: many of the Arrow of Light requirements he was completing for Scouts included science and technology. This spurred Sam to investigate the various STEM Nova awards offered to Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts.
Sam’s first STEM Nova Award, Cub Scouts Can Code, was made possible through the organization and effort of the National Capital Area Council, which arranged a virtual Coding event. When he completed this and the final Webelos Activity Pin (Super Achiever!), he realized the Charles H. Townes Supernova Award he had been eyeing for over a year could be achieved.
Fortunately for Sam, at this same time Josh Y., a leader in Pack 436, became a Scouts STEM Nova counselor. When Josh scheduled a Nova award eligible event at iFly Montgomery County, this gave Sam the opportunity to earn Up and Away. When Sam saw he could earn a second Nova award – the golden pi device! – he was able to work with Josh to verify the completion of all the Townes Supernova requirements. On May 17, 2023, Sam was thrilled to receive this prestigious award from his Cubmaster Howie Draisen at his final Pack meeting.
Sam proudly wore his Townes medal as he was recognized with his Arrow of Light and bridged from Pack 436 to Troop 1097 on May 24, 2023.
Sea Scouts and Boaters Safety Education Training
Sea Scouts has been a part of BSA since 1912 and has a long maritime tradition. While it’s among the smaller programs within BSA it makes an impact on Boater’s education and training. In February of 2022, the program advancement requirements were enhanced to include advancement options for paddle craft units such as kayaking, canoeing, and white-water rafting. The growing popularity of paddle craft and SCUBA Ships brought proactive changes which were more inclusive to a variety of Ships with the release of errata 6.
Ships are youth lead and adults serve as guides and mentors, as the program is targeted to youth ages 14-21. With the heart of the program focusing on boaters’ safety and education training combined with hands-on adventure, partnerships through memorandums of understanding have been developed with organizations such as the America’s Boating Club (ABC) also known as United States Power Squadron (USPS), the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA), and the American Canoe Association (ACA).
An important training for both youth and adult leaders is the NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Training. There are a variety of certifications one can attain from a free on-line course to a 16-hour hands-on training offered through US Power Boating. NASBLA is a United States non-profit organization which works to establish public policy for recreational boaters’ safety. State approved NASBLA boaters’ safety education courses are utilized within the Sea Scout program. Everyone ages 14 and above are encouraged to take a NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Training Course and referred to the appropriate state boating laws for the state in which they reside. For advancement, a NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Course satisfies Sea Scout Advancement requirement Ordinary 15. Once completed, the course is then recorded in the adult leader training records under Boating Safety (P47) and under Sea Scout Advancement Ordinary 15 requirement. The following links are resources to take an NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Training Course for free or for a small fee. Training and safety are essential for being on the water.
NASBLA – http://nasbla.org is the national association of state boating law administrators is a national nonprofit, 501(c) 3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories.
BoatUS – https://www.boatus.org/free/ the Boat US foundation offers a free-online NASBLA approved boaters safety education course. The course is self-paced, and Boat US does accept donation to help defray the cost. A pocket size plastic card can be ordered on-line to keep on you while boating. It’s highly recommended to order the card for verification of course completion.
USPS – https://www.usps.org the United States Power Squadron (USPS) has a long-standing partnership with BSA and supports Sea Scouting through training and education. USPS is also known as America’s Boating Club (ABC). Youth membership is encouraged, and Sea Scouts can be a member for $12.00 which also satisfies a Sea Scout elective Level 1 requirement. Sea Scouts who complete both Boat Handling and Marine Navigation can earn a Level 2 Elective. The NASBLA Boaters Safety Education course is listed as America’s Boating Course and the link is https://www.americasboatingcourse.com. The course can be taken in-person or online. The online cost is $34.99. The website allows for one to search for an in-person class or register for the online course.
USPS also offers the opportunity to earn one of the most prestigious Sea Scout Awards, which is the United States Power Squadron Sea Scout Service Award for both youth and adults. To be eligible for the award as a youth, one must be a member of the USPS, attain advanced grade of Pilot ‘P,’ earn at least two USPS merit marks, and as a Sea Scout be a Quartermaster Award Recipient, serve in a leadership role as a Sea Scout, and plan, organize, a Sea Scout/USPS joint civic, educational, boating, and/or social activity. Adult leader recipients must obtain additional requirements as outlined by the USPS and can be found on the USPS website listed above.
USCG Auxiliary – https://www.cgaux.org offers an eight-hour Boat America course that varies in cost and duration per location and by flotilla. Courses can be identified by entering the zip code search on the USCG Auxiliary website.
US Powerboating – https://www.uspowerboating.com offer’s a 16-hour hands-on boaters safety education training course. This is the premier boater’s safety education course as it’s one of the only ones that offers individual or group on-the-water instruction with the exam following course completion.
Be prepared! Take a NASBLA Boaters Safety Education Course before getting on the water and challenge a friend to take it with you.
See you on the Water!
Charleen Kennedy