We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Aaron Chusid

Webelos Camp Update

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The weather is getting warmer, the cicadas are getting louder, and we’re getting ready for an amazing summer of Outdoor Adventure at Goshen Scout Reservation!

As we approach the beginning of the camping season, however, we have had to make a difficult decision about this summer. After consultation with our Council’s VP of Outdoor Adventure and Camping Chairs, to ensure we can provide every Pack with an outstanding program, we have made the decision to combine our Webelos camps for this summer. That means all Webelos programs will be taking place at Camp Ross. If your Pack has already registered to attend Camp PMI for weeks 2-5 this means you will be moved to the same week at Camp Ross. Some Packs registered for week 1 may be asked to switch to an alternate week; we are offering these Packs a 20% discount for their inconvenience.

This was not a decision we made lightly. We considered many factors, including the following:

  • Combining the camps allows us to consolidate resources, ensuring we can run all program areas effectively.
  • We selected Ross because it has had more recent facility upgrades and will help make general logistics more efficient.
  • Consolidating the Webelos programs into one camp ensures all key staff positions are filled. Other PMI staff will help fill openings in our other summer programs.

Packs should not have to take additional action at this time; we will simply switch their registration in the system. They will still attend camp in the same week and enjoy the same high-quality program, staff, and food service as they have come to expect at Camp PMI.

Please note that there will still be plenty of room for more Webelos at Camp Ross, so sign up today and be part of the adventure! For more information about Camp Ross please visit the website: www.gotogoshen.org/camp-ross.

See you all this summer!

Thank You To Our Friends of Scouting!

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Thank you to all the Scouting families and volunteers who have made an investment in Scouting by supporting NCAC’s Friends of Scouting Campaign! Your contribution ensures that we can keep Scouting strong in our communities for more than 60,000 local participants. Friends of Scouting gifts go towards “behind the scenes” expenses throughout the year that support our local programs. This includes offering special activities at the District and Council level; upkeep and improvements at our Council’s camps – Camp William B. Snyder, Goshen Scout Reservation, and Howard M. Wall; training for our volunteer leaders; and other important activities.

Your support has been especially important this past year as COVID-19 has presented ongoing challenges to our ability to offer a safe program for our members and families. Our Council suffered a $3 million loss from not being able to camping programs last summer, along with severe reductions to unit fundraising through the popcorn program and cancellation of many District events. It is only through the generosity of our Friends of Scouting that we are able to continue supporting our Scouting families and ensuring young people who would otherwise be unable to afford the program have the ability to participate. Our Scouts have repaid that generosity many times over by supporting their communities through service projects that keep our essential workers safe, our neighborhoods clean, and food banks filled with food.

How can you help support NCAC today?

If you have not yet made a contribution to our annual Friends of Scouting Campaign please consider doing so by visiting NCACBSA.org/Give.

If you have already made a contribution, thank you! Please take a moment to see if your employer offers a matching gift program as an incentive for employees to participate in philanthropic endeavors.  If your company has such a program, please consider listing NCAC as a beneficiary.

Every contribution helps support local Scouting. Please help us ensure all young people in our community have the opportunity to be Prepared. For Life. 

Thank you again for your support!

Campaign Progress Update

As of Monday, April 19, our Council has raised 35% of our $1.23 million goal! Curious to see how your District has helped us reach that milestone? Check out the chart below!

 

Norm Augustine Receives 75 Year Veteran Award

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Norm Augustine receives his 75 Year Veteran Award from NCAC Scout Executive Craig Poland
Norm Augustine receives his 75 Year Veteran Award from NCAC Scout Executive Craig Poland

Norman Augustine has done many amazing things in his life. He graduated from Princeton University magna cum laude, he was the CEO of Lockheed Martin, he has received the NASA Distinguished Public Service Award, and much, much more.

But before he did any of that he did one other very amazing thing: he became a Scout.

“Scouting had a profound impact on my life and the lives of many top business leaders I worked with over my career,” said Mr. Augustine. “I will never forget the extraordinary times I had in Scouting, particularly at summer camp.”

Earlier this year Mr. Augustine reached a milestone not many Scouting volunteers achieve; he reached 75 years of continuous and active membership in the Scouts. During that time he served as BSA’s National President, received the Silver Buffalo Award for his work in service to young people, and was recognized with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

And Mr. Augustine is not the only Eagle in his family. Since earning his Eagle Scout Award in 1952 he has been joined by every other man in his family. That’s right; every male member of the Augustine family is an Eagle Scout! It is inspiring to see the impact Scouting has had on one family.

Thank you, Mr. Augustine, for your many years of dedication and service to our Scouts and to our nation!

 

Update on Resuming In-Person Scouting Activities

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As the weather starts to warm, many units have been contacting us about when they should restart in-person activities. We are grateful to all the leaders, families, and Scouts who have helped their units follow COVID-19 protocols over the past year. The health and safety of our Scouts is our collective highest priority, and everyone’s continued adherence to safety protocols helps us to fulfill that promise.  While there has been very good news about vaccination progress in our communities, unfortunately, the current models suggest at least several more months of primarily digital program delivery.

Due to significant variance in the state and county phased reopening programs being implemented across our Council’s territory, it is difficult to provide an “all-inclusive” recommendation for all NCAC units. As such, we would like to reinforce the following guidance regarding resumption of in-person Scouting activities.

  • The Unit Key Three should determine what activities and in-person gatherings are permitted for the county in which the unit is chartered. 
  • The Key Three should then work with the adult committee to determine if the unit is prepared to begin in person meetings or activities. 
  • If consensus exists among the adult committee members, the Key Three should consult with the Chartered Partner to secure their support for the resumption of in person meetings or activities.
  • It is the responsibility of the unit’s Key Three and adult committee to understand and ensure all state/county restrictions and required Covid-19 safety precautions are taken.  Units traveling to other states/destinations for camp/activities are responsible for knowing and adhering to the restrictions and precautions of those areas.
  • Units following the restrictions and administering the precautions are covered by the BSA insurance program.
  • In addition to precautions required by states and counties we ask you to incorporate the processes included in BSA’s Restart Scouting Checklist and use the Pre-Event Medical Screening Checklist.

For more information about BSA’s response to COVID-19, please read the National Statement on COVID-19 and the COVID-19 FAQ.

We know everyone is excited to begin outdoor, in-person Scouting activities.  We ask that you “do your best” to follow the guidance provided here, and work with your adult committee and chartered organization, as well as your local protocols, to ensure a safe Scouting experience.

NCAC Announces 2021 Silver Beaver Class

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National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America is proud to announce the 2021 Class of Silver Beavers. The Silver Beaver Award is a distinguished service award presented at the local level.

Recipients of this award are adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth both in and out of Scouting. They have given hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service to our community. The members of this year’s class are:

Class Honoree: James Smith

Henry Brothers II
Carol Brown
Mary Carson
James Chaplin
Timothy Cline
Robert Davidson
Justin Day
Oliver Dove
Robert Faris
Michael Filipowicz
Jeffrey Geyer
Richard Harrington
Sara Holtz
Forrest Horton
Edward Hutchins
James Lehman Jr.
Lorraine Lince
Sasha Loftin
Ann MacPhail
Lawrence McNiece
Winifred Niemi
James Palmer
Rus Pittman
Karen Purinton
Patrick Ring
William Rodger
James Schleckser
Oscar Smith
David Weisz
Craig Weston

These community leaders will be recognized at the Council Court of Honor in May, 2021. More details will be coming soon!

Congratulations to Our Winning Female Eagle CSP Designer!

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Back in October our Council started receiving completed Eagle Scout applications from the first female Scouts BSA members to complete their Boards of Review. They will officially be recognized as part of the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts in February 2021, but that doesn’t mean we have to wait to start celebrating their accomplishments!

That’s why last month we posted the four finalists in our contest to design a commemorative Council Shoulder Patch (CSP) to recognize our trailblazing young leaders. The designs were posted on Facebook, and after hundreds of votes and comments we are proud to announce that the entry from Sarah C. of Troop 1965G in Patriot District was selected as our winning design!

Congratulations Sarah, and thank you to all our designers for creating such outstanding, original patches!

Next step is to turn Sarah’s design into a fully stitched-out patch. Once it is completed we’ll let you know how you can get ahold of one of these CSPs to show your Scout Spirit for our history-making female Eagle Scouts!