We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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Outdoor Ethics and Conservation Conference

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On November 10-12, I had the privilege to attend the 2022 BSA National Outdoor Ethics and Conservation Conference at Camp Bert Adams in Covington, GA. It was an awesome experience! Outdoor Ethics and conservation are at the core of Scouting’s outdoor program, and after attending this conference I can attest that our focus on them is making Scouting’s outdoor program stronger than ever.

There was so much to do, and so many people to talk to! Participants got to hear from and sit down to share a meal with national experts and resources. The Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers were there to share a lot of great ideas on how to help youth to build an outdoor ethic. Leave No Trace Director of Education and Training JD Tanner took us through Leave No Trace’s recent changes and their strategies for the next few years. The BSA National Outdoor Ethics and Conservation Committee teams shared what they’re working on and the support they can provide to councils.

But that wasn’t all! We learned about the new Distinguished Conservation Service Award for youth. This award replaces the former Hornaday Award, which was administered by BSA National. The new DCSA award is administered by council Conservation Committees, which will make the award more accessible to more youth. We were joined by the Green Crew, a new Venturing crew from Minneapolis. The Green Crew is a unique Venturing crew. They are a Venturing crew whose program is planning and conducting services projects for their chartering Izaak Walton League of America chapter. All their projects are advertised and open to the public to participate in. They’ve gotten a lot of national attention. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2022/11/09/the-secret-of-their-success-venturing-crew-focuses-solely-on-conservation/ Once again, it was great to hear from and sit down with these creative and passionate youth and their leaders.

In that great mix, I had the opportunity to share some of the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee’s successes. Often, we don’t appreciate what we have right here at home. Our NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee is viewed as one of, and perhaps the best in the country. I was asked to share the work we’ve done creating training for new Scouts BSA troop Outdoor Ethics Guides. I also led a workshop on how other councils can better market their own Outdoor Ethics offerings. It really felt great to be able to help other councils by sharing some of the work that so many people have done through the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee, particularly Sara Holtz and Victor Bieniek.

Just when most of us felt that our brains were starting to hurt from all the great ideas we’d picked up, our closing speaker was Professor Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware. His presentation on “Nature’s Best Hope” was a wonderful way to cap off the conference.

Your NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee is here to help you advance your unit’s program. Let us know how we can help!

Amangamek-Wipit Lodge Banquet – Registration is Open NOW!

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The Banquet is Back!

The Amangamek-Wipit Lodge Annual Banquet is making its return on January 7, 2023. From 10:00AM – 12:00PM, join us at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center in the beautiful University of Maryland College Park Campus. We’ve got great food, limited edition patches and a specialty program two years in the making. Stop in and join us in fellowship and celebration of our Lodge’s 70 years of storied history. We’ll be recognizing the achievements of some outstanding Arrowmen and hearing about the opportunities available to our newest members.

Registration is available now! Move fast, it closes at the end of the year and the price increases after the next couple of weeks. Find it at at www.wipit470.org/banquet – we look forward to seeing you there!

STEM Scouts have a Blast in the Woodshop!

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Have you ever heard of BlastCars?

They have been around for years as Scouts BSA programs, and sometimes dubbed the “older kid Pinewood Derby Cars”. The real difference? Their dimensions are a bit larger and above all they are powered by a C02 cartridge! Today, middle STEM Scouts have a 4 meeting module, where they experiment with building and racing Blastcars! Youth discover what friction is and how it affects the performance of a car, and learn about propulsion, acceleration and deceleration, and rocket-powered vehicles.

Lab Manager Ms. Pekarik (of paired Elementary Lab 9941) assists a scout.

To do all this, the scouts need to build cars – many, and each with variables tweaked. Sure, they could build cars with hand-tools, but NCAC’s STEM Lab 991 was lucky enough to build their cars under the expertise of Michael’s Woodshop volunteers!

 

Visit to Michael’s Woodshop

Michael’s Woodshop is a volunteer run woodshop for scouts at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA. Over the last 5 years, Michael’s Woodshop has assisted 250+ Bears in completing Baloo the Builder, 50+ Woodwork Merit Badges, and 1000+ Pinewood Derby Cars!

On October 30, seven STEM Scouts from Lab 991 visited Michael’s Woodshop at Camp Snyder for a Blastcar Build Day! Mr. Dave Schneeman, Woodshop Steward, led the group through a safety briefing, followed by stations to cut the cars according to the scouts’ designs, and sand the cars for finer finish.

After 1000+ Pinewood Derby cars, Michael’s Woodshop has perfected a build process. The Blastcar build was only slightly different. Scouts had to ensure that designs do not intersect with the drilled holes for the Co2 cartridges. Additionally, while PWD cars’ starting gates release at the front of each car, Blastcars are lined up against the rear (where the cartridges are!)

The Woodshop machinery as well as Mr. Dave’s expertise made for an incredible experience. Sure, scouts could design blast cars with hand tools. In fact, 2 weeks before the scouts’ woodshop visit, they practiced using hand tools. This juxtaposition led to a greater appreciation of the Woodshop opportunity, and the professional cars they got to design!

Lab Manager Mr. Scheina hands out blastcar kits.

Lab Manager of STEM Lab 991, Jon Scheina shared, “Building the cars at the woodshop was awesome. Every Scout I asked said that this activity was the highlight of the module. In the future, any labs that are fortunate enough to have access to a professional woodshop should absolutely use it to build their cars–both for the experience and for the opportunity to build more precise, well-functioning cars.”

Join the Woodshop Team

All of the activities in Michael’s Woodshop are designed and supervised by a dedicated group of volunteers. There are volunteer roles available for experienced woodworkers, and both adult and youth assistants. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please see Join the Woodshop Team or email us for additional information.

For more information about the merit badge classes, shop capabilities, upcoming events or reserving the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. If you have questions or would like additional information, please email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

Important Thank Yous

Special thanks to:

  • Justin Youtz (T501) and Bruce Donlin (T1853) for sharing Blastcar kits (and tricks) with NCAC’s STEM Labs!
  • Dave Schneeman (Michael’s Woodshop Steward) for volunteering to lead the shop session
  • Jon Scheina, Mark Gray, Burt Wagner, Stacy Pekarik (Lab 991 Lab Manager and Associate Lab Leaders) for leading the inaugural Blastcars module!

 

2022 International Peace Light Ceremony – December 10 at 2pm

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The NCAC International Committee invites all Scouts, Scouters, and their families and friends to receive the 2022 International Peace Light at the Marriot Scout Service Center on Saturday December 10 at 2 pm.

Candles will be available on site for your family to participate in the ceremony. If your family would like to take the flame home with you, a candle in a glass jar or a non-propane lantern can be brought. Scout uniforms and casual church attire are appropriate to wear.

Available for sale at the ceremony are patches commemorating the 2022 transfer of the flame. A limited number of $5 patches will be available on site, but more are available for sale online (https://www.peacelightnorthamerica.org/resources/merchandise, plus other Peace Light merchandise).

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE LIGHT

The Peace Light, symbolic of the Light of Christ especially evident at Christmas, is meant to promote peace, harmony and unity among all people of the world regardless of race, ethnicity or creed. Many churches, Scouting, and associated community organizations use the Peace Light in Advent worship services, parish tree lighting events, and other special ceremonies. Some groups even maintain the Peace Light year-round using the flame to ignite their Sanctuary Lights, Baptismal Candles, and Votive Lamps.

The Peace Light from Bethlehem campaign was originally organized in 1986 by the Austrian Broadcasting Company as part of a large charitable relief mission Light into Darkness, for children in need in Austria and abroad. Since 1986, and especially after the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe in 1989, there has been a growing cooperation between Scouts in many countries allowing the light to travel throughout 30 European nations.

Each year in late November, a child from Austria lights a lantern from the continuously burning candle in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the site of Jesus birth. The light, known as the Peace Light, stored in special explosion-proof lanterns, is then flown with a safety adviser back to Vienna, Austria, where it is shared with delegations from across Europe who distribute it with a message of Peace to their own countries for use at ecumenical services. Scouting organizations then take the light to houses of worship, hospitals, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and places of public, cultural and political importance – to anyone who appreciates the significance of the “gift”.

In early December, Austrian Airlines representatives transport the Peace Light from Austria to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. A distribution ceremony of about 150 adults and children gather at the airport’s Our Lady of the Skies Chapel to welcome the light of peace and kindle their own flames.

The light’s pilgrimage across the U.S. begins from New York City via volunteers, many of whom are Scouts and Scouters associated with the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA, transferring and sharing it in their communities. Many other dedicated volunteers meet, share, and move the Light across North America, person-to-person, coast-to-coast. The Peace Light is a sign of hope. It has expanded from a small flame to a sea of lights in a few years and shines with its message to millions of people worldwide.

For several decades, the Scouts around the world have actively promoted global peace and harmony through sharing the Peace Light.

The Peace Light is often used as a Messengers of Peace project. Administered by the World Scout Bureau, Messengers of Peace is a worldwide program aiming to inspire millions of Scouts to work toward peace. In order to earn the Messengers of Peace uniform ring to be worn around the world crest, Scouts must be actively involved in planning Peace Light activities and in sharing the flame in ways that are appropriate to the Scouts age and abilities. Cubs might welcome guests to a candlelight ceremony, hand out programs and candles, and/or be part of a procession bringing the Peace Light into the gathering. Older Scouts could help in planning and implementing the program, speak or lead a song during the ceremony, or perhaps create a display about the history of the Peace Light.

Learn more about the history of the Peace Light in the US here: https://www.peacelightnorthamerica.org/about/history.

If you have additional questions, would like to be added to the email list or other related interests, please contact Anthony Malone at travitaly4@gmail.com. If you would like to join the NCAC International Committee, please contact Jay Eidson at ir.ncac.je@gmail.com.

NCAC Asks the Community to Give to #RaiseResilience on Giving Tuesday

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The future wellbeing of our country depends on how we support and invest in the next generation.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022, WASHINGTON, DC — An alarming number of young people struggle with feelings of helplessness or depression, intensified by the pandemic as their experiences at home, school and in the community were altered by the past few years. Research shows that when youth are involved in activities with their peers, it has a positive effect on them and others while building emotional resilience at the same time. Resilience thrives in Scouts.

Because the National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC)’s Scouting programs help develop resilience by providing young people opportunities to face challenges through adventures, leadership roles, skill building, and earning advancements, this year’s theme for Giving Tuesday is “Raise Resilience.” Scouting experiences help our youth build confidence in their ability to persevere. We structure adventure such that it gives young people the know-how to tackle experiences they’ll encounter for the rest of their lives. Whether it’s overcoming obstacles in the great outdoors, getting outside of their comfort zone to lead a team for a service project, or exploring career options through hands-on professional or scientific experiences, the content of our programs is designed to develop leadership, character and confidence. These experiences help them to adapt well in the face of adversity, to bounce back from difficult experiences, and to be Prepared. For Life.

This #GivingTuesday, the NCAC is asking the community to support our programs by making a contribution to Scouting. Due to the generosity of several NCAC major supporters, the NCAC is challenged to raise $100,000 by the end of Giving Tuesday. That means, every gift given is matched dollar for dollar, doubling support.

In the National Capital Area we are preparing our Scouts to lead effectively, manage conflict, become role models and set goals for their future. This Giving Tuesday provides the community with the chance to make sure our programs continue to raise resilience throughout our local area.

Link for more information and to make a gift: https://www.ncacbsa.org/giving-tuesday/

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About Scouts, BSA and the National Capital Area Council

Scouts, 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 2.6 million youth members between the ages of 6 and 21 and more than a million volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more, please visit www.Scouting.org.

National Capital Area Council was organized in 1911 and today stands as one of the oldest and largest councils in America. Scouts from the NCAC do over 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; and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, please visit www.NCACBSA.org.

 

NYLT Summer Registration Opens December 10th @ 10AM!

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Scouts ready to attend National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) are encouraged to sign up early. Recent courses have filled quickly. Registering as soon as the site opens could ensure a slot on the course of your choice.

2023 Course Schedule:
23-2: June 18 – 23
23-3: June 25 – 30
23-4: July 23 – 28 *
23-5: July 23 – 28 *
* courses running concurrently

Download the 2023 Flyer at:
https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/wyHWcTYJ3C7h1DVWRtxA42Gn

WHAT IS NYLT?
National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting 6-day program designed for youth to learn leadership skills that will help them succeed in Scouting and in life! NYLT brings together Scouts from all over the council to learn and practice leadership techniques in a risk free, Scout-friendly environment.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Scouts who have completed their unit’s introduction to leadership course, have been practicing these skills, and are ready for the next level of training should attend NYLT once they meet all Eligibility Requirements.

FAQ
Q. How quickly will slots fill?
A. While we are never sure, last summer’s courses filled very quickly and Winter course filled in a matter of hours. We have increased the number of participant slots to try and give as many Scouts the opportunity to attend NYLT as possible. We strongly recommend registering early to lock in your slot.

Q. What will your masking, distancing and other covid policies be this summer?
A. We will follow the covid protocols NCAC has in place for Council programs.