We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Articles

George Mason University hosts Chemistry Labs for Scouts

by

On April 22, 2023, George Mason University’s Chemistry Club is opening their doors to Webelos/AOLs/Scouts BSA and STEM Scouts for guided chemistry workshops!

Scheduled events:

12:30 – 2pm | Session 1, Lab for grades 4-5
1:30 – 3pm | Session 2, Lab for grades 4-5
2:30 – 5pm | Session 3, Chemistry merit badge for grades 6&up

Registration:
https://scoutingevent.com/082-GMUchemistry

What to expect:

ScoutsBSA will be able to earn the Chemistry merit badge at the event. There is one pre/post-req but the workshop is otherwise structured to help scouts earn the remaining requirements.

Cub Scouts/STEM Scouts will be able to experience 3 hands-on experiments as well as gain experience in this real university Lab. GMU Chem Club will also demonstrate flame-burning magnesium!

Do you have to be a scout to attend? 

No! Please invite a friend. We just ask that all youth register for the age-appropriate session.

 

 

Past events

In fall 2022, the George Mason University Chemistry Club hosted 40 STEM Scouts/Cub Scouts for a remarkable Lab experience!

The GMU Chem Club dazzled our scouts with 3 hands-on experiments and demonstrations, including flame burning magnesium!

Thank you to David Lieu, former GMU Chem Club President (and current STEM Lab 314 Association Lab Manager) for connecting us to current GMU Chem Club Officers. Thank you to entire Chem Club for sharing your enthusiasm of chemistry, to the Chemistry Department for opening your doors to scouts, and to Professors Dr. Ward and Dr. Banerjee for your leadership to this event!

2023 NCAC Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year

by

 

Ian pictured with this year’s recipients of the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Awards at Tuesday’s banquet

Each year, the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) sponsors council, regional and national level recognition of the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. This year, Ian Wallace of Troop 1523 was chosen as the NCAC receipient. Ian’s interest in technology, coding, and computers inspired him to teach students how to assemble PCs. For his project he reached out to his community and posted ads in the local paper for donations of computer hardware, then cleaned and made fixes to all the donated computers and took out the hard drives to be used in desktops. Ian then taught students at Annandale High School how to install the Motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, graphics card, power supply, and fans for each computer. Annandale High School has a large population of ESOL students with English being their second language. Ian’s leadership skills and experience teaching other Scouts to assemble PCs allowed him to effectively communicate each part of the building process to the students who now have the ability to assemble computers for the rest of their lives. After completing the course, the students were gifted the computers they had learned to assemble.

On Tuesday night, Ian shared about his service project and other experiences at the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Awards (NOESA) Banquet where it was announced that he has been selected as the National Service Territory 12 recipient of the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award for 2023. His project was one of  111 council winners nationwide submitted to be reviewed at the National Service Territory (NST) level. He is now one of 16 NST winners being reviewed for national recognition and the winner will be announced in May. Congratulations Ian and thank you for your service to your community and in Scouting!

National Capital Area Council Announces New Director of Field Services

by

The National Capital Area Council is pleased to announce Stuart Goins as the new Director of Field Services effective May 1, 2023.

Since 2021, Goins has served as the Scout Executive/CEO of Tuscarora Council in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Previously, he was the Director of Field Service for Quivira Council in Wichita, Kansas from 2019 to 2021. Past experience also includes Assistant Scout Executive for Norwela Council in Shreveport, LA and District Director in the Sam Houston Area Council in Houston, TX.

Goins has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA. He grew up in Louisiana and was a Scout. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, is Wood Badge trained, and is a James E. West Fellow.

“Everyone involved with Stuart’s interview process connected with his welcoming personality,” said Mario A. Pèrez, NCAC Scout Executive/CEO. “We know his years of experience will benefit the NCAC. We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Stuart Goins to NCAC’s leadership team.”

National Women’s History Month: Elisabeth Warren The First Woman Goshen Scout Reservation Director

by

NCAC would like to welcome and honor Elisabeth Warren as the first woman to serve as Goshen Scout Reservation Director. She has a passion for all things outdoors. Elisabeth’s family was heavily involved in Scouting and encouraged her to participate very early on. Her first time at Goshen and her experiences through Scouting encouraged her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science at Dickinson College. This will be Elisabeth’s 7th summer at Goshen but her first as Reservation Director. She acknowledges the lasting impact of women in Scouting before her. Elisabeth also encourages younger Scouts to follow their interests, pursue leadership positions, and never give up! She is a trailblazer in our Council and we are proud to honor her this Women’s History Month!

Visit the link to hear more about Goshen and her amazing journey of becoming Goshen Scout Reservation Director: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BkQBm1JhIs

NCAC 2023 Summer Camp Webinar: High Adventure

by

March 28, 2023: High Adventure

Missed the webinar? You can view a recording of it below.

In this webinar, we give units planning for Summer 2023 and future summers an overview of Lenhok’sin High Adventure as well as the NCAC High Adventure Committee sponsored trips to both Lenhok’sin and the National High Adventure bases.

Download the slides from the webinar here: High Adventure Presentation slides [PDF]

Get more information on the various high adventure opportunities:

If you missed our earlier webinars in the 2023 series, you can find the Cub Scout Summer Camp options here: weownadventure.com/ncac-2023-summer-camp-webinar-cub-scouts/ and the Scouts BSA Summer Camp options here: weownadventure.com/ncac-2023-summer-camp-webinar-scouts-bsa/

Meet your 2023 Camp Snyder Directors!

by

We are pleased to announce our director team for Camp Snyder’s 2023 summer camp season!

If you ever have any questions, please visit www.gotosnyder.org to get in touch with the Camp Snyder staff!

Meet Camp Director Calder Griffiths!

Calder Griffiths was a Scout in the National Capital Area Council for 12 years earning the rank of Eagle Scout, serving as Senior Patrol Leader, and joining the Order of the Arrow. He has seven years experience working at the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center with specific responsibility for the skatepark for two years. Currently, he is pursuing a degree at Salisbury University with majors in Outdoor Education Leadership and Accounting. After attending BSA summer camps for nine years and day camps for five years, he looks forward to providing an excellent experience at Camp Snyder this summer.

Meet Program Director Joey McNally!

Joey McNally is a recent college graduate from Salisbury University with a degree in Geography and a minor in Environmental Studies. He has a passion for the outdoors and environment. He enjoys camping trips and held a position as an intern in stream restoration last summer. He has experience in working with youth as a tutor and as a volunteer at his local church’s child development area. He is excited to be at Camp Snyder this summer and wants assure a fun and memorable camp experience as Program Director this summer.

Want to be part of our awesome staff? Visit www.gotosnyder.org/work to apply!