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NCAC Eagle Scout Walter Rouse is in the NFL

October 2, 2024 by Mickey Nemier

Did you know that we have an Eagle Scout who plays in the NFL? Walter Rouse from Silver Spring, MD, is a rookie offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings and earned his Eagle Scout rank in our National Capital Area Council. He was Troop 1444’s 120th Eagle Scout in 2017. Walter was the sixth-round draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings.

We see each day that Scouting helps prepare our young people for life’s challenges with tremendous resilience – even all the way to the NFL! We look forward to seeing him play as an offensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Season!

 

Learn more about all the Eagle Scouts who play professional football at Here are the Eagle Scouts in the NFL in 2024

Learn more about Walter and his impressive accomplishments by visiting the Minnesota Vikings website:

5 Things to Know About Vikings 6th-Round Draft Pick Walter Rouse

 

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week, Top Story

Eagle Scout Project for Sterling Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squads

October 1, 2024 by Sonny Advincula

For his Eagle Scout project, Eric A. and his fellow Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 572 worked to revitalize the outdoor patio/firepit area behind the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, Station 618 in Sterling, VA.

Under Eric’s leadership, the Scouts first cleared the area of debris and overgrown vegetation. They then dug up the area to place down the new underlayment, installed edging and spread the gravel. New benches and Adirondack chairs were built, stained, and weatherproofed for seating. Solar accent lighting was also added for evening use.

The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company and Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad were very appreciative of the support and hard work of Eric and his dedicated team of Scouts. The newly restored area will provide a space for the volunteers to congregate, rest, and recharge for years to come.

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week

Watch Troop 1396 Conquers Wind River Range in Wyoming 2024

October 1, 2024 by John Malich

Experience Troop 1396’s summer trek in Wyoming adventure by watching their epic video compilation, Troop 1396 Conquers Wind River Range in Wyoming 2024! Relive the thrilling moments with our Troop and Crew as they explored the great outdoors.

During the last week of June 2024, as the National Capital Region sweltered in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, a contingent of 19 Scouts and Scouters from across Northern Virginia embarked on a high adventure trek sponsored by the NCAC High Adventure Committee. This group included 10 members of Troop 1396, comprised of both male and female Scouts and adult leaders.

The adventure began with travel to Wyoming, where the crew started their journey at Yellowstone National Park. They marveled at Old Faithful and encountered wildlife such as bison, mule deer, and other small mammals. Following this, they drove south to Grand Teton National Park and undertook an acclimation hike to Taggert Lake, a seven-mile trek rising from 6,000 to 7,500 feet. They then visited the town of Jackson, Wyoming, to see the sights before spending a few days at Granite Creek Campground.

At Granite Creek, the Troop embarked on another 10-mile acclimation hike and were rewarded at the end with some time swimming at the Granite Hot Springs. This relaxation was a welcome respite before the real challenge began.

The Troop’s rigorous trek through the Wind River Range started at the Big Sandy Trailhead. Their first major stop was Big Sandy Lake, a picturesque yet demanding destination. Over the next two days, they faced a series of formidable hardships.

Adjusting to the high elevation of nearly 12,000 feet took its toll on many members of the Crew, with the thin air causing labored breathing and slowing their progress. They also encountered harsh weather conditions, including freezing temperatures, fierce wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, and sudden hail and rain storms. These extreme conditions added considerable physical and mental strain, testing their resilience and adaptability.

The unexpected snow and ice crossings further complicated the trek. The Scouts had to navigate through these treacherous areas with care, relying on their scouting skills and leadership training to ensure safety and progress. The combination of high elevation, challenging terrain, and harsh weather conditions pushed their limits and demanded constant adjustment.

Despite these adversities, the Troop’s spirit remained unshaken. Their resilience and teamwork enabled them to overcome these hardships and complete the journey successfully. The breathtaking beauty of the tall peaks and mountains provided the motivation needed to persevere.

After these grueling days, the remainder of the trek was literally downhill to base camp. Over the course of approximately 52 miles, Troop 1396 encountered various wildlife, though they were fortunate to avoid any dangerous encounters with bears or mountain lions. Along the way, they enjoyed excellent trout fishing in the lakes and streams, providing a rewarding respite from the strenuous hiking.

This remarkable adventure through the Wind River Range will undoubtedly be a cherished memory for Troop 1396, highlighting their ability to overcome significant challenges and appreciate the beauty of nature. The diversity of the crew, consisting of both male and female Scouts and leaders, further exemplified the Scout spirit and teamwork that defined this extraordinary journey.

For more details about the adventure, go to https://www.troop1396.org/high-adventure/wyoming-2024.

Filed Under: Adventure

Summer Camp Planning for Bear and Webelos Den Leaders

September 20, 2024 by Goshen Scout Reservation

Bear and Webelos Den Leaders! Now that you are in your role of Den Leader to incredible Bear and Webelos Scouts, you and your Den are invited to attend Summer Camp at Camp Ross at Goshen Scout Reservation this coming summer!

Camp Ross is home to a week-long summer camp experience just for rising (incoming) Webelos and rising Arrow of Light Scouts. Here, they’ll take part in some amazing outdoor adventures, including swimming, boating, fishing, archery, BB shooting, hiking, and outdoor skills development (to name a few)!

You are invited to start planning your Summer 2025 Adventures on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm. We’ll review “A Day in the Life” at Camp Ross, walk through the registration process, and answer any questions you may have.

As you are learning, the Cub Scout Program provides Scouts with the opportunity to learn about being a member of their family, how to take an active role in serving their neighborhood, and living by the ideals of the Scouting Program. At Camp Ross, our Scouts become members of a Camp Community with Scouts from across the Council. They meet new friends, make lasting memories, and take critical steps in learning about the next part of their Scouting journey: Scouts BSA.

To attend this Zoom Meeting, please register at:
Camp Ross: A Summer Camp Adventure for Rising Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts
https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gj5BxZxkSHSthMnV3QXQrw#/registration

In the meantime, explore what NCAC Cub Scout Parents and Leaders are saying about their own Camp Ross experience on our YouTube Channel:

Enhance Your Pack Summer! What Leaders are Saying About Camp Ross

“I look forward to seeing your Den at Camp Ross this summer!” – Elisabeth Warren, Goshen Scout Reservation Director, National Capital Area Council, BSA

Filed Under: At Camp Tagged With: Cub Scouts, Goshen Scout Reservation, summer camp, Webelos

Aspiring Scientists Excel as STEM Scouts

September 4, 2024 by Mike Haas

STEM Scouts Lab 239 in Fredericksburg, VA, is a beacon of innovation and scientific exploration for young minds. With a mission to inspire and nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators, this lab actively cultivates a passion for STEM among elementary and middle school students.

Last year, the elementary school lab at Rocky Run Elementary mentored 18 aspiring scientists. The curriculum included Chemistry, Archaeology, Robotics/Coding, and Inventing modules that aligned with students’ interests, challenged their understanding of the world around them, and fostered critical thinking skills. Students engaged in a hands-on learning environment, conducting experiments and projects that brought abstract concepts to life. Dedicated adult mentors enriched the experience by providing personalized support and encouragement to each student.

A truly standout achievement was the completion of “Supernova Awards” by six Cub Scouts – the most awards earned in Aquia District since the inception of the NOVA program! The Supernova is a prestigious award requiring Cub Scouts to demonstrate exceptional proficiency in STEM subjects. It is a testament to the quality of education and mentorship that these young students successfully met the rigorous standards to earn this award.

Last year, Lab 239 also launched a middle school program, successfully mentoring eight students in the fields of Microbiology and Astronomy. These subjects ignited Scouts’ curiosity and provided a deeper understanding of the biological sciences and the universe. Activities ranged from studying microorganisms under a microscope to exploring the stars and planets. The focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications is helping prepare students for future academic and career pursuits in STEM fields.

STEM Scouts Lab 239 continues its mission of inspiring young minds by introducing all new modules at Rocky Run Elementary in September. The elementary school lab meets two Tuesdays a month; the middle school lab meets two Thursdays a month. Regular meetings offer students opportunities to explore new concepts, engage in collaborative projects, and build skills.

STEM Scouts Lab 239 remains dedicated to empowering the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators, ensuring they will Be Prepared to tackle future 21st-century challenges and opportunities.

You can follow the lab on Facebook: STEM Scouts Lab 239, Fredericksburg, VA

 

Filed Under: Scouting Programs

Blending Scouting Skills with Legos: Troop 1920’s FLL Journey

August 23, 2024 by Mickey Nemier

This Article was Written by Team Over Coded

Team Over Coded (left to right): Ahna S., Arianna J., Mavya M., Nirali S.

FLL, or First Lego League, is a competition in which teams of students ages 9-14 engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering. Each team perfects building and programming a robot that navigates the missions of a Robot Game. After months of practice, teams participate in a competition against other teams.

Our FLL team #57964, Team Over Coded, is made up of four girls: Nirali, Mavya, Ahna, and Arianna. We are also members of Scouts BSA all-girls Troop: Troop 1920. 

Our journey this FLL Season of 2023-2024 lasted about nine months. From our qualifier, where 24 teams competed, we advanced to the State competition after winning 2nd place. Out of 60 teams at States, we were among the top seven teams chosen to advance to nationals. Our Nationals competition was in New Jersey, where over 80 teams from around the country competed among each other, and the competition lasted two days.

FLL has multiple aspects, including Robot Games, Robot Presentations, Core Values, and Innovation Projects.

Robot Games allow teams to compete against each other with the robots they built and programmed to complete as many missions as possible in under 2 minutes and 30 seconds, gaining points for each mission completed.

Robot Presentations are where judges take a closer look at your code and robot, interviewing the team about the key factors of the robot they have built and the techniques used in both building and coding.

Core Values are judged based on how well the team demonstrates the six core values: Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun.

Innovation Projects allows teams to research a problem that addresses the season’s annual theme. This year’s prompt was choosing a hobby your team has and solving a problem associated with the hobby. Our Innovation Project was “How to Make Scouts BSA More Approachable to Girls.”

Because of these aspects, teams create presentations and scripts to present to a group of judges.

We interviewed multiple people, both kids and adults, and asked about their hobbies, their kid’s hobbies, and why they chose those hobbies. People responded with various answers, but almost everybody mentioned they wanted to gain essential life skills from their activities. We found that kids and parents experiment with different hobbies before finding one that truly offers benefits. This process demands significant time, effort, and money. We found scouting to be a great platform.

Scouting was historically gender-segregated, and despite changes allowing girls to join, awareness of this inclusivity remains limited. Many people don’t know that Scouts BSA is also available to girls. When we say we are in Boy Scouts, many try to correct us, thinking we meant Girl Scouts. Our approach was to develop a strategy to effectively promote scouting for girls, aiming to raise awareness and empower them through diverse opportunities.

As a sample solution, we developed a multimedia campaign including TikTok videos, Instagram posts, and more to showcase scouting activities to multiple audiences, including kids our age and adults! Our troop Scoutmaster, Mrs. Carolyn Hurt, and District Commissioner of Scouts BSA, Mr. Alex Pranger, provided great guidance for us! 

 

Filed Under: Adventure

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