We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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Science Fair Project Inspired by Merit Badges – What Keeps Food Cold the Longest?

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My name is Russell and I am a tenth grade student. I’m a Life Scout with Troop 1577 in Herndon. My science fair project this year was inspired by Scouting and my project won second place for my school.

My project was about DIY refrigerants. I tested which materials keep food cold the longest.

I got this idea from working on my Cooking, Hiking and Backpacking merit badges. For those badges, we learn about keeping food safe when you are outside for a long period of time. While the safest option might be dehydrated foods, I like to eat non-dehydrated foods like cheese. I wanted to know which refrigerants might work best for the longest period of time.

For the experiment, I bought a wireless thermometer and put it in a Styrofoam cooler. I put different refrigerants in the cooler with the thermometer and monitored the temperature. It was important to use a wireless thermometer so I would not open the cooler and impact the temperature.

The refrigerants that I tested were:

  • 330 mL of water, 170 mL of rubbing alcohol, 125 mL of salt (the salt dissolved and did not increase the volume)
  • 500 mL of dish soap
  • Two plastic sponges in water with 500 mL of water
  • Commercial ice packs
  • Control = 500 mL water

I got the ideas for these refrigerants by reading blog articles by backpackers. I also researched the concept of “phase change,” meaning materials that release or absorb energy and provide useful heat or cooling.

What were the results? The frozen sponge refrigerant maintained the lowest temperature for the longest time, although the control (water) and commercial ice packs performed similarly.

However, for my next hiking trip, I won’t freeze sponges. I will just use frozen water. Then I can drink it and not have to carry sponges. But I definitely won’t bring commercial ice packs which add a lot of weight to my pack.

So when you work on these badges, you can show your merit badge counselors this information, and use frozen water to keep your food cold as well.

Meet 2022 NOESA Honoree Michael Huston

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Michael Huston is an Assistant to the Solicitor General at the United States Department of Justice. In that role, he represents the federal government before the Supreme Court of the United States. He has argued nine cases before the Supreme Court, and has prepared briefs in hundreds more. He is a member of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court—Washington D.C.’s preeminent honor society of appellate attorneys.

Michael previously practiced appellate and administrative law at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Washington. He served as a law clerk to the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States, and to the Honorable Raymond M. Kethledge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Michael graduated first in his class from the University of Michigan Law School, where he received the Henry M. Bates Memorial Scholarship Award—the law school’s highest honor. He served as an editor on the Michigan Law Review, where he published a note, and was the first runner-up in the 86th Campbell Moot Court Competition. He was elected to the Order of the Coif.

Michael graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa.

Michael earned his Eagle Scout award in 2004 as a member of Troop 648 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He now lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Joelle and three sons, all of whom are cub scouts. He serves as the Committee Chair for Pack 614 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Congratulations to Michael and his fellow 2022 NOESA Honorees! Please join us on March 23, 2022 at Army Navy Country Club for a celebration honoring the 2022 NOESA recipients. For more information visit, www.ncacbsa.org/noesa/.

Meet 2022 NOESA Honoree Matthew Jones

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Matt Jones earned his Eagle in the National Capital Area Council in 1990 when he was a member of Troop 654 based in Mt. Vernon, VA.

Matt currently serves as an owner, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Leading Authorities, Inc. (“LAI”) a privately held company in Washington, DC that represents notable figures for speaking and literary representation, helps organizations design and produce events, and works with companies in need of creative video production. Jones joined the firm in 1997 and has overseen the firm’s growth to more than 10x its size in his tenure. Today, LAI is one of the top companies of its kind in the industry, employing almost 100 people and managing to succeed throughout the last few years despite the decline of in-person events.

Matt exemplifies the spirit and commitment of an Eagle Scout, not only as a successful businessperson, but as someone who supports and gives back to the community and assists those less fortunate and in need.

While enjoying success as a company, Matt and LAI have also supported the National Capital Area Council for over 10 years by helping to produce fundraising events, donating services, and producing videos highlighting scouting achievements in the region.

In addition to supporting the Boy Scouts of America, Matt and LAI have actively supported MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, SOME – So Others Might Eat, the Alzheimer’s Association, Bright Beginnings, SEALKIDS, Little League Baseball and many other local charities through fundraising, event production, and video production.

Congratulations to Matt and his fellow 2022 NOESA Honorees! Please join us on March 23, 2022 at Army Navy Country Club for a celebration honoring the 2022 NOESA recipients. For more information visit, www.ncacbsa.org/noesa/.

Canoe Trek: Looking for campers!

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The NCAC High Adventure Committee is sponsoring a Provisional Crew to Lenhok’sin High Adventure’s River Trek on the James River. Dates are July 17 – 23, 2022 (Goshen’s Week 4).

Lenhok’sin High Adventure is the high adventure base at Goshen Scout Reservation. It offers both backpacking and canoe treks. The River Trek takes participants paddling down one of Virginia’s most scenic rivers, the James River, on a 5 day, 4 night canoeing trek. Experience 61 miles of the historic upper James River in Virginia from the headwaters at Iron Gate to the Snowden Dam. Navigate over 100 Class I rapids, 20 challenging Class II rapids, and the infamous Balcony Falls rapid. Bring your fishing pole and pick up dinner along the way. Camp nightly at wilderness riverside locations. Add an optional river clean up service project to work towards your River Trek and 50 Miler Awards.

This crew is for individual Venturers and Scouts, ages 14+. Interested individuals who are 12 (13 by September 1, 2022) or 13 years old should contact the trek leaders first for information on attending.

Cost is $420/youth and $225/adult. Prices increase after the Early Bird deadline on April 15. Camperships are available on the Goshen website: www.gotogoshen.org/camperships

Learn more about Lenhok’sin High Adventure and the James River Canoe Trek at www.gotogoshen.org/lenhoksin

Register and get contact information for the NCAC High Adventure Committee River Trek Provisional Crew at scoutingevent.com/082-55220

Learn more about the NCAC High Adventure Committee and other high adventure trips for Summer 2022 at www.ncacbsa.org/high-adventure

Local Scouts have earned the Boy Scout’s highest rank as Eagle Scout.

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Local scouts earn the Boy Scout’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.

Eric D., Benjamin D., Jacobi H., and Dominic J. of Dale City Boy Scout Troop 1919 of the National Capital Area Council BSA, have earned the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank advancement of Eagle Scout. These Eagle Scouts were recognized in ceremonies on February 23, 2022 at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1503, Dale City. Dale City Boy Scout Troop 1919 is sponsored by VFW Post 1503.To achieve the rank of Eagle, a scout must demonstrate leadership in a position of responsibility for several months, earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, and obtain letters of recommendation. In addition, each scout must plan, develop, and complete a service project helpful to their community. Pandemic did not stop these Boys Scout from achieving their rank and find ways to contribute to their community.

Eric D. of Colgan High School constructed a soccer storage box at Chinn Park Soccer Field for Prince William Soccer Inc., a non-profit organization that provides recreational soccer in the community. Ben D. of Forest Park High School constructed a Disc Golf Course at Neabsco Elementary School to provide recreation to the community and the school. Jacobi H. of Colgan High School helped an organization that trains service animals for Veterans and their families by constructing two training obstacles for Semper K9. Dominic J. of Woodbridge High School coordinated with the Environmental Services Division of the Virginia Prince William County Public Works Department to plant over 100 trees. Trees were planted in four different locations and saved the county maintenance money while helping to protect the environment.

These Eagle Scouts names and the year they became Eagle Scouts will be displayed on a plaque at VFW Post 1503. The plaques on the walls of the VFW Post 1503 contain the names of over 100 Eagle Scouts and the year they became Eagles since Troop 1919 was established in 1983.

Scout Applies STEM Skills in the Woodshop

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Mihai displays prototype

Star Scout Mihai Z. created the CNC computer code needed to engrave the Cub Scout logo into a new cross over bridge for Pack 1540 in Fairfax, VA. Mihai volunteers as a Youth Assistant in Michael’s Woodshop and since the arrival of the CNC machine, he has been looking for opportunities to use the machine. Mihai enjoys learning new technology and he was able to quickly adapt his 3D printing skills to learn and program the CNC machine. It was a relatively complex first project but the end result was fantastic. Cubmaster Dusty Vaughn, who had initiated the project, was very impressed and stated that the Pack would certainly appreciate the engraving on their bridge for many years to come.

The CNC project was coordinated by shop volunteer Dallas Cecil. Under his leadership, Michael’s Woodshop is developing additional applications for the CNC machine including the creation of a library of standard images. Dallas is willing to work with unit leaders to develop images for engraving special projects, such as the cross over bridge. As new capabilities are developed, we expect interest in creating AOL plaques and other special projects will quickly increase the use of the CNC machine.

Michael’s Woodshop is an incredible resource available to NCAC Units & Scouts. The CNC machine is just one of the many woodworking tools and machines available in the shop. Michael’s Woodshop is operated by a group of adult and youth volunteers, and we are always interested in adding quality volunteers to our team. If you like being in a wood shop and enjoy teaching and guiding youth, please consider joining the Woodshop Team. We have volunteer roles available for experienced woodworkers, novices and those who have specialized skills (such as operating the CNC machine).

After staining!

Please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage for more information about shop capabilities, reserving the shop or for information about joining the Woodshop Team. If you are interested in using the CNC machine for an upcoming project or if you would like additional information about the shop, please email the volunteer team at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com