We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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Meet 2022 Silver Beaver Recipient David Bloxsom

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Starting his scouting career in Indianapolis Indiana, Crossroads of America Council, North Star District in 1970, David earned the Arrow of Light in Pack 505 and bridged into Post 71.  He helped lead a book study during the 1975 “Post 71 Big Adventure” trip to Daytona Beach.  Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” helped shape his worldview. He joined the US Navy right out of High School and semi-retired after 23 years. He now lives in New Midway, MD.

David currently serves as Day Camp Program Director for the Francis Scott Key District and Assistant Scout Master of troop 1011 in Woodsboro MD.  Previously he has served as Tiger, Wolf and Bear Den Leader, Treasurer and Cub Master of Pack 366 in Annapolis MD, as well as Den Leader at Camp Tomahawk Day Camp for Baltimore Area Council, The Capitol District.  October 2003, he moved to the country and served as Bear and Webelos Den Leader and Committee Chair for Pack 1069 in Woodsboro, MD.  Joining Troop 1011 he served as Charter Organization Representative, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scout Master. David also served on Day Camp Staff in 2006 where he established the camps Fishin’ Hole and continued to run that station for six years concurrently serving on Catoctin Mountain / Francis Scott Key Districts as the Outdoor Programs Chairman, Vice Chair of Programs and District Chairman.

David completed Woodbadge in 2005 and was awarded the District Award of Merit in 2008.  He is a member of the Order of the Arrow and has earned an Associate Degree from the University of Scouting, College of Scouts BSA.  David also serves on the Board of Directors for the Walkersville Watershed Scout Camp.

Retiring from the Navy in 2004, David attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.  As an Electronics Technician he earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare and Aviation Warfare pins.  He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (3 times), the Navy Achievement metal (4 times), and the Good Conduct Medal (6 times). He earned various campaign medals and citations as he served in Operation Desert Shield/Saudi Arabia Campaign, Operation Provide Comfort (Iraq), Operation Deny Flight Bosnia-Herzegovina, Operation Norther Watch (Iraq) Kuwaiti Liberation, Operation Noble Anvil (Allied Forces) and Operation Desert Storm.  David currently works for a small defense contractor in Frederick as the Production Manager and IT Systems Administrator.

Outside of a full-time job and scouting, David has been active in the local American Legion (Glen W Eyler Post 282) where he has served as Children & Youth Chairman, Vice Commander, and Commander.  He is also dedicated to the church body at the Frederick Church of Christ where he has served as Youth Program Coordinator, Youth Group (teen) Teacher and A/V Production director.  He is currently an Elder/Shepherd of the congregation.

David and Melody have been married for 38 years and have two sons: Eagle Scout Phillip Bloxsom and 1st Class Scout Harry Bloxsom. Congratulations to David and the 2022 Silver Beaver Class! Please join us on May 22, 2022 at Camp Snyder for this special Court of Honor. To purchase your ticket, visit https://scoutingevent.com/082-58006

Saving a Fellow Student’s Life Earns Aquia District Scout the BSA Medal of Merit

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We all know that our BSA Scouting Motto is: “Be Prepared.” The Founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, England, when asked by a reporter in the early 1900’s, “Be prepared for what?” replied: “Why, for any old thing, of course!”

Through an exemplary display of living these words, Jayden Easley of Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!”), Aquia District in Stafford, VA, earned the BSA Medal of Merit. Jayden proved to “Be Prepared” by showing confidence, initiative and quickly taking actions to save the life of a fellow classmate when he unexpectedly faced an emergency that required using his Scouts BSA First Aid training skills at school.

Here’s what happened: On Friday, September 10, 2021, while attending Ms. LaFrance’s French class at A.G. Wright Middle School, Stafford VA, a student in the class appeared to be choking on something and fell to the floor. Without hesitating, Jayden asked the student if they could talk or breath… they were unable to respond. Jayden quickly began to apply first aid by helping the student to stand and then applied back thrusts in an attempt to remove any obstruction. When the back thrusts were ineffective, Jayden then applied the Heimlich maneuver. It is unsure if the victim was actually choking on something or not, but after Jayden’s actions, the student was able to begin breathing again. Other students in the room went to retrieve the school nurse when Jayden began first aid, but by the time the nurse arrived the student was breathing again. The victim was taken to the nurse’s office to make sure everything was okay, which the class later found out was the case.

Jayden’s teacher, Ms LaFrance, added that it was “a scary few minutes” but Jayden was “right there” to offer assistance with the Heimlich maneuver. She added that Jayden was very calm and acted without hesitation.

During his Board of Review with the BSA National Court of Honor committee, Jayden credited his actions to the first aid he learned from his Troop Guides and a Troop-sponsored First Aid/CPR class he attended in 2021.

During a Court of Honor, held on 13 April 2022, officiated by Dara Campbell, Aquia District Executive, Jayden’s meritorious actions were honored and celebrated by fellow Scouts, friends and family. Jayden’s parents were clearly so very proud to take roles by pinning the Medal of Merit on Jayden’s uniform and presenting him with the framed certificate. In his remarks, Jayden humbly thanked everyone involved with submitting him for the award, for organizing and attending the Court of Honor and to those Scouts and Scouters who helped him learn and perfect his Scouting First Aid skills so that he could “Be Prepared” when it mattered most.

 

Meet 2022 Silver Beaver Recipient Gerard “Jerry” Beaulieu III

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Jerry Beaulieu began his Scouting experience as a Bobcat in National Area Capital Council (NCAC) Pack 1306 in Potomac. As a member of Troop 30, he joined the Amangamek-Wipit Lodge of the Order of the Arrow and participated in a Philmont trek. In 1981 he became an Eagle Scout, an honor also achieved by his three younger brothers and later his son.

Jerry is an active member of the community participating, over the years, in activities with his church, home owners association, the Montessori school his son attended, and Scouting. He has been the OA Advisor for Potomac Chapter since 2015. Prior to that he served as a Scoutmaster and ASM with Troop 944 in Rockville. As one who loves the outdoors, Jerry earned the Triple-crown –participating in treks to Northern Tier, Philmont, and Sea base. Jerry kept his Vigil in in 2016, and has been recognized with a Potomac District Award of Merit and Bronze Pelican award by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. He was a staff volunteer on three National Jamborees, the World Scouting Jamboree at the Summit in West Virginia, and plans to staff the 2023 Jamboree.

Over the years Jerry has mentored many Arrowmen and Scouts, helping them become leaders, effective planners, and good citizens. None of this would have been possible without the support of his wife Dani who also enjoys travel and camping -albeit in more comfort than a typical Scouting adventure.

Congratulations to Jerry and the 2022 Silver Beaver Class! Please join us on May 22, 2022 at Camp Snyder for this special Court of Honor. To purchase your ticket, visit https://scoutingevent.com/082-58006

Cub Scouts field trip is Out of this World!

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Pack 88 in Lorton VA recently held its first Nova Night where 25 Cub Scouts completed the Out of this World award.

The scouts built balloon rockets, learned the forces of flight, created a scale solar system and designed a Mars base. The evening was capped off with a zoom call with Michael Fossum, a retired NASA astronaut and grandfather of one of the Wolf scouts.

To round out the requirements the Pack went on a field trip to the Udvar-Hazy center and saw the Space Shuttle Discovery that their distinguished visitor commanded.

To learn the more about the STEM Nova awards, please visit: www.scouting.org/STEM

Meet 2022 Silver Beaver Class Honoree Jon Baake

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Jon Baake has served as an adult leader in Scouting for over 40 years. He is presently, the Provost of the NCAC University of Scouting; an Assistant Council Commissioner for Special Events; the Western Shore District Training Chair; a unit commissioner and a troop committee member. He has served as an Assistant Council commissioner for two service areas, District commissioner, District Vice Chair of Membership, Vice Chair of Administration, numerous training positions, Troop Committee Chairman, Cubmaster, and pack den leader. He has served as an Assistant Scoutmaster and on staff at six consecutive National Scout Jamborees. He has the Wood Badge and has served on staff on three Wood Badge courses. He and holds the District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver Award, and the OA Vigil Honor.
 
In 2012 Jon received the NCAC Lifetime Achievement Award for Program Scouters. Professionally, Jon retired as CIO with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and as a Col, US Army Reserve. Jon and his wife Pamela have a daughter and a son, Kent, who is an Eagle Scout.
Congratulations to Jon and the 2022 Silver Beaver Class! Please join us on May 22, 2022 at Camp Snyder for this special Court of Honor. To purchase your ticket, visit https://scoutingevent.com/082-58006.

Meet 2022 Silver Beaver Recipient Mary Carpenter Abe

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Mary Carpenter Abe (Aah-bay) has been involved in the scouting movement since 1993 when her kindergarten daughter, Lynn, came home from school with a flyer and said, “Mom, can we go find out about scouting?” A meeting at Lynn’s elementary school led to 13 years as a Girl Scout Troop leader plus 3 years as Service Unit Manager.

In 1999, when son, Tom, was in first grade, Mary joined Boy Scouts of America as a Tiger parent and then as a Den Leader, equipment transport specialist, and eventually Committee Chair. In 2006, Dorothy Lanning recruited Mary to replace her as Unit Commissioner for units at Marvin Memorial United Methodist Church. Mary has continued in Commissioner service ever since, eventually becoming an Assistant District Commissioner in White Oak District. In recent years, Mary has specialized in Recharter activities.

Before her involvement with scouting, Mary worked as a mechanical engineer for the Department of Energy and U.S. Army Research Laboratory.  Her Bachelor of Science degree was awarded from Harvey Mudd College where she met her husband of 38 years, Dave Abe.

Mary serves as Director of Christian Formation, specializing in ministry to children, youth, and families, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Beltsville, Maryland. She also has been active in PTA activities and leadership, filling such positions as volunteer coordinator, PTSA president, and cluster coordinator for Montgomery County Council of PTAs.

Mary’s life has been guided by doing her duty to God and country and helping other people at all times.

Congratulations to Mary and the 2022 Silver Beaver Class! Please join us on May 22, 2022 at Camp Snyder for this special Court of Honor. To purchase your ticket, visit https://scoutingevent.com/082-58006.