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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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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.

Troop 130 Host’s Senior Judge Barbara Milano Keenan

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Scouts BSA Troop 130G, the first all-girl unit in the city of Alexandria, was honored this week to host Senior Judge Barbara Milano Keenan, US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, to discuss the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

During a Q&A, Keenan brought the Constitution directly to the Scouts with a case where the court ruled in June that gender-based school dress codes, and a requirement that girls wear skirts, can violate the Constitution and Title IX. “No, kids can’t vote, but you have the responsibility to learn, to be an informed citizen in adulthood.”

250th Bear Completes Baloo the Builder Adventure

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On November 5th, Bears from Pack 1160 completed their Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop. They learned about useful tools to have in their boxes and practiced using a number of tools including clamps, sanding blocks, hammers and nail punches. They made a golf tee game board as their “fun project” and after sanding, they applied a clear polyurethane finish. Finally, as their “useful project”, each Bear made their very own tool box. It was a couple of hours very well spent and not only did these Bears learn a few things and have some fun, they also earned the distinction of having among their Den the 250th Bear to complete the Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop!

Since introducing the Baloo the Builder and Webelos Build It Workshops, they have quickly become two of the most popular activities in the shop. These workshops are both great, hands-on activities that are fun, learning experiences for the Cub Scouts.

To learn more about these workshops and the many other shop activities available, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. Start planning now to schedule an activity for your unit in the spring.

All of the activities in Michael’s Woodshop are designed and supervised by a dedicated group of volunteers. With the high demand for woodshop activities, we are seeking additional volunteers to join the Woodshop Team. There are roles available for experienced woodworkers, Woodwork Merit Badge Counselors 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

Troop 1577 Explores Mallows Bay

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In October, Troop 1577 went canoeing at Mallows Bay. This bay has a fascinating history as a “shipwreck graveyard.” Hundreds of ships were purposefully sunk here after World War I when they were no longer needed as transportation. Many of the wrecks broke up and bits floated away, but there are still some wrecks which you can tour by canoe or kayak at low tide. They are now covered with vegetation and provide wildlife habitat. But you can still see giant metal bolts and ship components embedded in the wood. There are also a few other wrecks including a car ferry called the Accomac which houses osprey nests, and an old Sea Scout wreck. It takes about 2 hours to view the site. It became the most recently created National Marine Fisheries Sanctuary in the nation in July 2019.

The troop camped at Cedarville State Forest about an hour away. There is a closer state park with youth group campsites called Smallwood (only 15 minutes away) but it is closed for renovations until 2023. In the evening, we had Dutch oven meals including monkey bread and played board games.

 

Troop 1577 Hosts Chopped Cooking Competition

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Troop 1577 held a Cooking competition at Runnymede Park. The Scouts worked in teams of 2 or 3. They knew in advance that they needed to make a dish that included Oreos, pretzels and bananas. They planned a dish understanding that a mystery ingredients would be revealed. It was – bread! The Scouts came up with delicious desserts including crepes, dipped bananas and sundaes. Judges evaluated the dishes on a list of criteria that included how well the team worked together and how well they cleaned up. The Scouts were very focused and say they can’t wait to do it again! One Scout made a trophy from a cutting board where he is engraving the winners’ names.

Scouts Honor Veterans

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Each Veteran’s Day scouts from around the George Mason District place flags on Veteran’s graves at the National Memorial Park/King David Memorial Gardens in Falls Church, VA. This year the event drew over 300 people (Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, Girl Scouts and Heritage Girls) who placed ~2,700 flags. Our thanks to Dignity Memorial for supporting this effort and proving food, drink and the flags.