We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Articles

Laptops for the Needy

by

My name is Matthew, and I’m from Troop 17. I’ve been in Scouting since 3rd grade, and I’ve stuck with it ever since. I’m currently a Life Scout, and I’ve decided to start my Eagle Scout Project.

My Eagle Scout Project is called Laptops for the Needy. It’s about refurbishing old laptops so those in need can use them. I wanted to do this project because I noticed that a lot of good jobs require some form of computer work, and a lot of jobs require applicants to fill out online forms to apply. I want to give everyone a good, even chance at securing those jobs, and if someone can’t afford a computer, they’re already at a disadvantage. Plus, these computers can be used for educational purposes, as well as entertainment.

We will be taking any old laptops we get, cleaning off any data, reloading Windows, adding an antivirus, and placing them in laptop bags with instructions in English and Spanish. All laptops will come with an AC adaptor and a mouse.

Currently, I am looking for corporations that may need to dispose of or recycle older equipment that could possibly be used. Laptops with or without hard drives would be perfect.

I appreciate any support that you can offer. If you have anything that could help our efforts, please contact me at laptops4needyEP@gmail.com (which goes to an adult for YPT purposes). Thank you!

Super – Supernova cohort: Pack 104 adds 4 more Supernovas

by

Congratulations to Pack 104 Webelos Sam Boyce, Reagan Lester, Ryan Parks, and Julian Price, on earning the Dr. Charles H Townes SuperNova award. After working on some Nova awards earlier in the year, Webelos from Pack 104 reached out to their counselor to start work on the Super Nova Award. In January, the four scouts began their scientific journey meeting both online and via Zoom with their counselor and guest speakers.

Along their journey the boys discussed scientific inquiry with their families, counselor, as well as Coach Micaela Pond, Gifted Services teacher at Key Immersion school in Arlington, Dr. Adela Roa-Varon, of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, as well as other scouters in scientific fields.

Highlights from their journey included making personal flashlight with a switch out of household materials, experimenting with exploding soda and mints and other household materials, planting and caring for a personal terrarium, geocaching, and personal research into varied scientific subjects.

The culmination of their hard work was presented to the Pack via a Super Science Zoom where their personal experiments were shared via video. Final projects included study the light effect on crystal growth (Ryan), cloud formation and condensation in a controlled environment (Julian), reaction of egg and vinegar/how long to dissolve the shell (Reagan), and studying the factors that affect the function of homemade black powder (Sam). Each experiment left our young scouts with further questions to explore, and made for a wonderful show.

These newest SuperNova recipients bring the Packs total to 5 with Jacob Nadherny now with T167 being the first to complete the award in 2020.

Goshen Venturing Guide!

by

This is our comprehensive overview of the program we offer for Venturers at Camp Bowman at Goshen Scout Reservation. This document tells you what you need to know specific to how Venturers can utilize our program at Camp Bowman for their advancement and enjoyment.

Camp Bowman Venturing Overview [PDF]

USPTO invites Scouts BSA to learn about Inventing

by

This summer, the United States Patent & Trademark Office will host a 2-day virtual event for Scouts BSA to earn the Inventing Merit Badge. This event is organized by the Eastern Regional Outreach Office at the USPTO, and several USPTO employees (now registered Merit Badge Counselors) who are volunteering!

The USPTO’s Inventing Merit Badge program will include two synchronous sessions for youth:

  •  July 17, 2021: the virtual class
  • August 28, 2021: the virtual inventions showcase

Between the two sessions, youth will design and build prototypes of their inventions. They will have the opportunity to consult with USPTO employees and Inventing Merit Badge Counselors via ‘virtual office hours’. Youth will all submit videos of their presentations by August 27, to be included in the virtual inventions showcase!

Agenda for Inventing Merit Badge class 

July 17, 2021

12:30 – 1:00 Opening remarks

1:00 – 1:30 The Impact of Invention & Inventing

1:30 – 2:00 An Introduction to Intellectual Property

2:10 -2:30 Invention Case Study

2:30 – 3:15 Why do you invent: panel discussion

3:15 – 4:15 Break-out sessions, interactive discussion

Registration details:  https://scoutingevent.com/082-inventing

In the past, the USPTO had held an Inventing Merit Badge class on site in Alexandria, VA. Below are some photos from the past events! We can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with this year – join us in this summer’s Inventing Merit Badge series!

 

Check Out The 2021 Potomac District Pinewood Derby!

by

The 2021 Potomac District Pinewood Derby is in the books!  On Saturday June 12th, a total of 66 cars from Packs around the Potomac District raced and the event picked up two more Packs participating this year over the field from the 2020 event. The event was held again remotely, as it was for the first time last year, and streamed out via a private Youtube channel. The race can be rewatched for a finite period here:  https://youtu.be/QleFyboKOpM.

Cub Scouts chatted online as they competed for fastest cars by rank and for appearance in five judge’s categories.  Despite it being essentially shaped and painted blocks of wood rolling down an incline, an event like this is takes planning and a core team of dedicated volunteer Scouts and Scouters. Three Scouts BSA, Peter C. of Troop 472, Connor V. and Devin C. of Troop 1450, ran the car check-in and race day heats and Dr. Stan Fricke of the NCAC STEM Committee served once again the Master of race day ceremonies. Eric Van Ryzin of Troop 1450 and Vince Camobreco, of Troop 472, provided the equipment and technical know-how, Stephen Allen, Potomac District Field Director, provided the online registration and NCAC provided the venue to broadcast from.  Charles McKee and Jim Boyce of Pack 1280 coordinated the overall planning and awards.  And appreciation goes to all the Pack points of contact who coordinated race car drop-offs for their Units in the week before the event. Next year the organizers look forward to seeing this event return to being in-person.

Scouts start designing those new cars!

June 12, 2021 Potomac District Pinewood Derby Pit Crew (L-R): First Class Scout Devin C., Life Scout Conner V., Scoutmaster Eric Van Ryzin, Dr. Stan Fricke, Life Scout Peter C., Cubmaster Jim Boyce, Scoutmaster Vince Camobreco.

Meet 2021 NOESA Honoree Philip Reilly

by

Phil Reilly is a retired CIA senior Operations Officer with a decorated 29 year career.  He also served in the US Army Special Forces prior to CIA.  Among the many positions he held, Mr. Reilly served as the CIA’s senior paramilitary officer as Chief of Special Activities Division and was charged with conducting Presidentially directed activities. Mr. Reilly had numerous foreign and domestic assignments including Chief of Station positions in Afghanistan, Europe and in the Far East. He also served as Deputy Chief of Station in Iraq and operated in Latin America and Africa.  Mr. Reilly was the deputy commander of the first USG team to enter Afghanistan two weeks after the 9/11 attacks.

Mr. Reilly is now the Senior Vice President at Orbis Operations, a Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group, and an advisor or board member of several companies in the national security, cyber and financial space.

Mr. Reilly is a graduate of Georgetown University, was a Senior Executive Fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School and attended leadership training at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.  He holds numerous awards including the CIA Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, the Intelligence Star, and the Director of National Intelligence Personal Medallion.

Congratulations to Philip and his fellow 2021 NOESA Honorees!