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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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Scouting America National Capital Area Council Announces 2025 NOESA Award Honorees

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Arlington, VA – April 7, 2025 – Scouting America National Capital Area Council is proud to announce the 2025 National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) recipients. This prestigious award was established in 2010, the Centennial of the Boy Scouts of America, to recognize Eagle Scouts who had achieved prominence in their professional careers and civic life and to highlight to our Nation the tremendous contributions of those who had achieved the Eagle rank.

The awards will be presented at a dinner held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA. The evening will begin with a reception from 6:00-6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

John Montgomery, NOESA Committee Chair and past honoree shared the following about the selection of Award recipients, “NOESA recipients inspire others through their positive actions, accomplishments, and contributions to their communities. They are indeed Scouting’s and America’s best.”

This year’s honorees include:

· Stephen Carey – Chairman & Founder, Potomac Strategic Development Co. LLC

· Dr. Thomas Cochran – Senior Scientist & Director of the Nuclear Program, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.

· Chris Marston – Principal, Election CFO, LLC

· James Mendelsohn – Founder & Managing Director, Proximo Capital

· Richard Meyers – Former Forensic Chemist, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

· David Ralston Jr. – Retired Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP

· Buddy Rizer – Executive Director, Loudoun County Department of Economic Development

· Christian Tabash – Olympic Rower, Team U.S.A

· Bryan Tramont – Managing Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP

· Jason Wright – Managing Partner, Ariel Investments, Former NFL Player

· Andrew York – Vice President of Global Government Affairs, Tyson Foods, Inc.

When asked about the impact of Scouting on his life, Honoree Brian Tramont said, “The Scouting experience gave me the skills as a leader and as a servant and a community minded person that has shaped all of my achievements since.”

Past recipients of NOESA include industry CEOs, university deans, federal officials, leaders from local and state government (mayors, city managers, state delegates, state supreme court justices), association presidents, and senior leaders from the military, science, technology, medicine, and law. Tickets for the event can be purchased online at www.ncacscouting.org/NOESA. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.

CONTACT: Cynthia Griffiths 301-214-9104

 

Troop Completes Conservation Clean-up at IWLA

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Boys and Girls Troop 1137 helped their chartering organization, Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) Arlington – Fairfax Chapter, with a conservation clean-up service project on Sunday March 23, 2025.

The Scouts cleaned up the natural areas on the grounds and around the fishing pond for the benefit of the wildlife, community, and to protect the environment.

These Scouts are helping to get things ready for NCAC Twilight Camp that runs there from June 16-20, 2025!

NCAC Scout urges youth to join Scouting, no matter what age

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Youth have joined Scouting at various ages and rose to success, demonstrating the possibilities you can experience as a Scout no matter when you start. 

Roberto R., a freshman in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, is a prime example of success in only four years. He started Scouting in December of 2020 for Troop 98 and in 2022, he was inducted in the Order of the Arrow. After only three years of Scouting, Roberto received his Eagle in 2023 and worked at Philmont Scout Ranch for the 2024 summer session.

Roberto encouraged youth, even if they’re in 8th grade, to join Scouting America because it teaches skills and forms connections like nothing else. 

“Scouting is not only going to help you learn those [skills]. It’ll also help you learn so much more,” Roberto said. “And if you get Eagle, that’s not only your brotherhood right there, but it shows how well you can work.” 

He was persuaded to join Scouting when his uncle passed away, who often encouraged him to join the program and had two sons who earned their Eagle.  

Because of Scouting, Roberto was able to enjoy and strengthen his love for fishing because his Troop would often have projects related to his interests. He now majors in fish conservation. 

“I came to really understand the whole issue we have with conservation and invasive species, and it’s become my passion to deal with,” Roberto said. 

Back in 8th grade, Roberto witnessed a women get her heel stuck in between two bricks at St. Johns Church. The bricks were falling apart and from that moment, Roberto knew what was going to be his Eagle Scout Project. 

“It was sort of a project from the start of my Scouting journey,” Roberto said. “I was just like, ‘That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to end up helping them some way, shape or form.’” 

The full project consisted of laying down 210 by 6 feet of a brick pathway with no mortar and instead patting down sand. Roberto received help from the OA, his family, Troop and friends. 

As a Senior Patrol Leader, Roberto expressed challenges he faced of motivating Scouts to complete a task. His technique of overcoming this hardship was to pair them with another Scout. 

“Find a new Scout that’s incredibly motivated or an older Scout that knows the experience, you pair them with the unmotivated Scout to try and accomplish a goal,” Roberto said. 

Along with this exceptional leadership training, Scouting allowed Roberto to develop values in community service, helping others and patriotism. He also feels impacted by the Scout Law and Oath and has joined several community service organizations. 

“Scout Law makes up being a good person and I’ve shaped my life around that,” Roberto said. 

Roberto is considering a career as a game warden for the Department of Wildlife Resources in Virginia or a special agent in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but he is not set on anything yet. 

Reflecting on his experience in Scouting, Roberto acknowledged how much the program has helped him and has often pushed Scouts towards earning their Eagle. 

“Every Scout that I’ve told, ‘Hey you’re going to make it to Eagle Scout. I know it.’ It gives them confidence and pushes them all the way,” Roberto said. “They always make it.” 

Cherry blossom shoulder patch still in use after 50 years

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A former Scoutmaster created a council shoulder patch design that included cherry blossoms and the Jefferson Memorial for a contest in 1974 and it’s still being used today as Scouting America National Capital Area Council’s standard.

Robert Wehr was a Scoutmaster for Troop 403, which contained around 55 Scouts at the time. Before 1974, the patches had no pictures and only the area listed, but Wehr changed the tradition when he participated in a contest to create the new design.

“We had a really good group going,” Wehr said. “So, it was a bit of a challenge.”

When the contest in 1974 arose, Wehr met with a Scout mother, who was a graphic designer, to come up with ideas for the new shoulder patch. Many of the designs were rejected until the cherry blossom design.

Wehr submitted a colored sketch of his design and ended up winning the contest. After 50 years, he feels honored to have his design still be the Council shoulder patch.

“It means the world to me,” Wehr said. “It makes me smile.”

Wehr also presented the patch for the first time to a Scout in Troop 403 and the event was published in a newspaper.

His main reason for choosing cherry blossoms as the design was because it was something unique to Washington. He said the bright color “makes you look twice”, but that it is also a good representation of the city and people will know what it is.

“There’s only one cherry blossom,” Wehr said. “That’s it. You don’t want to put a building.”

Scouting America describes the council shoulder patch  as being “designed for each council and embodies local tradition for all members of the council.”

Wehr also shared his role in organizing the Scout’s participation in a parade for the 200th anniversary of the United State’s independence. Wehr encouraged Scouting America to participate in the parade for America250, which is a “nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in the 250th anniversary of the United States,” their website says.

Wehr remembered how important timing was during the parade. It was televised, so the Scouts were restricted to a time limit and had to practice staying in line together. They paraded successfully and Wehr emphasized the professionalism that is needed for these events.

“No matter where you are, you’re representing that group,” Wehr said.

 

#cherryblossom

Pack 578’s Year in Review 2024-25

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Cub Scout Pack 578 in Fredericksburg had a fantastic 2024-2025 Scouting year, filled with a wide array of events that allowed Scouts to explore new experiences, build new skills, and give back to their community. From outdoor adventures to service projects, the pack fostered an environment where fun and learning went hand in hand.

The year began with the annual Rocket Launch and Join Scouting Night (JSN), which provided a perfect introduction for new families. Scouts launched their rockets, learning about science and aerodynamics while welcoming new faces into the pack. The Fred Nats Scout Night was another early highlight, where families attended a baseball game, bonding over America’s pastime and celebrating their Scout spirit.

One of the most exciting events of the year was the Bike Rodeo Pack Meeting. Scouts honed their cycling skills, participated in fun bike-themed activities, and took part in a 10-mile bike hike that promoted physical fitness and an appreciation for outdoor exploration. Additionally, Pack 578 stood out at the 2nd Annual District Cub-O-Ree, where they proudly earned first place for Scout Spirit, a testament to the enthusiasm and camaraderie within the pack.

The year also included a unique experience at the Jamboree Over the Air event, where Scouts connected with other Scouts from across the world to learn about Scouting traditions and activities. At the Stafford County Fire Department Pack Meeting, Scouts received valuable lessons in fire safety and interacted with local firefighters. These hands-on experiences helped Scouts develop an understanding of the world around them and their role in keeping their communities safe.

Pack 578’s fall season was filled with outdoor adventures, including an unforgettable overnight campout at Prince William State Forest. Scouts spent the weekend hiking, learning scoutcraft, and enjoying campfire activities, strengthening their ties to nature and each other. The pack also participated in the Fredericksburg Christmas Parade, showing off their Scouting pride to the local community. Additionally, they volunteered for Wreaths Across America, assisting with layout and cleanup at a local cemetery to honor fallen veterans.

As the holidays approached, the Polar Express Pack Meeting became a cherished tradition, where Scouts gathered for hot cocoa, crafts, and the presentation of awards in a festive, cozy atmosphere. Throughout January, Scouts earned virtual NOVA awards for Cubs Can Code and Tech Talk, exploring the world of technology and developing valuable STEM skills.

Pack 578 also engaged in a variety of educational and physical activities, including the Mount Vernon Hike and a Pioneering and First Aid Pack Meeting, where they worked with Troops 1717 B&G and 1889 B&G to learn important outdoor and emergency skills. The Rapp Rocks Climb Day allowed Scouts to challenge themselves with rock climbing, while the 10 Commandments Hike provided an opportunity to reflect on the principles that guide them as Scouts. On Scout Sunday, five Scouts were awarded their respective religious emblems in a heartfelt ceremony that highlighted the connection between faith and Scouting.

Other significant events included the Pinewood Derby, which sparked creativity and friendly competition, and the Stargazing Pack Meeting, where Scouts learned about the planets and aligned their telescopes to observe a planetary event. The Blue and Gold Banquet, with a fun Harry Potter theme, was another highlight, celebrating the anniversary of Cub Scouting and recognizing the accomplishments of Scouts who advanced in rank.

Looking ahead, Pack 578 still has several events to come, including the District Range and Target Day, a DC STEM Trek, the Fredericksburg Luminaria, and their spring campout. The spring campout promises exciting activities like a fishing derby, flag retirement ceremony, and the Bobcat BBQ, where Scouts celebrate those moving up in rank. Our 2025 summer program includes day camp and resident camps, in addition to two Pack the Pool events with Rain Gutter Regatta, two National Park hikes, and a canoeing trip.

In addition to these fun events, Pack 578 committed themselves to service. They participated in Scouting for Food, collecting an impressive 1,552 pounds of food and $273 in donations to support local families in need. The pack also participated in a conservation hike to collect trash in the local community, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship.

Through these events, Cub Scout Pack 578 created a year full of memories, growth, and community spirit. The pack’s commitment to adventure, learning, and service has made this Scouting year truly special, and they look forward to even more exciting opportunities in the year ahead. See you on the trail!

Eagle Scout Project improves the safety at Sky Meadow State Park

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In September, Mia R. became an Eagle Scout after completing her Eagle Scout Project that sought to improve the conditions of Sky Meadows State Park.

Mia is part of Troop 1865G, a unit from the Buke Lake District. Mia joined Scouting when she was 14, dedicating almost four years of participation before receiving her Eagle. As a Scout, Mia has earned over 40 merit badges, visited Philmont and works as a camp counselor at Camp Rodney. 

“I really like Scouts and I’m really glad I got to be part of it,” Mia said. 

The Sky Meadows State Park provided a program called Youth Conservation Corps that Mia participated in during 9th grade. With this opportunity, she formed connections from the park and reached out to them when she was ready to start her project. Mia had in mind that she wanted it to involve building, which led to the idea of building a trail. 

The idea sparked because the park is well known for its astronomy program, so many visitors will park and walk 170 feet to reach the visitors center. Because these visitors walked along the road, it became a traffic hazard. She hoped the trail would provide a safer and more distinct place for visitors to walk on. 

“They were having a lot of trouble with that and so they wanted to have the trail right now,” Mia said. “There was, in theory, a trail, but it was more just a grass path undistinguishable from the other grass that you were supposed to walk on, but you had no means of knowing to walk on it.” 

With the help of her Troop, Mia dug out a trail, lined it with metal edging, put down landscaping fabric and covered it in gravel. Her project also consisted of installing two signposts and building a bench with her dad. 

Mia spent 37 to 40 hours on her project and with her 37 volunteers, they totaled up to around 300 hours. 

One challenge Mia faced was transportation because the park is 50 minutes away from her home. Despite this, she got her volunteers to meet at her house and carpool to the park together. Mia was also unsure if she would manage to get enough volunteers, but after reaching out to friends, she exceeded her expectations. 

“I was constantly texting people, ‘hey can you be there?’” Mia said. “So, the fact we got 37, it’s kind of a miracle.” 

Finding the funding for the project was another factor Mia had to consider. When she went to the Lowes in Gainesville, Virginia, they gave her the metal edging completely for free. The park also supplied the gravel, showing how large of a group effort it was to finish the project. 

The project allowed Mia to learn how to communicate with adults, as well as continuing her leadership skills that she has learned from being Senior Patrol Leader. Mia joined Scouting to learn skills such as first aid but has recognized this skill as an ability to help others. 

“I feel like maybe I wouldn’t have stopped on the street to help someone before I joined Scouts,” Mia said. “But now I definitely would, because I’ve learned a lot, and I think I’ve become a better person.”