We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Aaron Chusid

Guidance on Resuming In-Person Scouting Activities

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In March of this year, the National Capital Area Council Executive Board made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone all in-person Scouting meetings, events, and activities due to COVID-19.  Since that time, Scouting has successfully continued through our Scouting at Home program.  We appreciate the great effort of our volunteers and staff in making this happen.

Recently, the states and counties comprising NCAC have started to relax COVID-19 restrictions related to in person gatherings.  This is good news and has many people excited to resume face-to-face Scout activities.

As there is a 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” statement for all of our NCAC units. As such, we would like to provide the following general 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 as you resume unit activities.

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 to ensure a safe Scouting experience.

NCAC Forms Council Equality Committee

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The National Capital Area Council, BSA stands firmly with our friends, neighbors and Scouting families in denouncing racism and prejudice in our organization, our communities, and our world.

As Scouts we are guided by the Scout Oath and Law. We firmly believe that by instilling these values through Scouting in young people we are aiding in the goal of ending all systemic racism in our country. Our youth protection and anti-bullying programs and policies are designed to protect Scouts. The Boy Scouts of America stands against racism, violence, bullying and harassment of any kind. It is unacceptable, and it contradicts every single one of our values.

We stand by the statement released recently by the Boy Scouts of America. We also believe we must pair our words with actions. During the past week, leadership of National Capital Area Council has taken steps to create a Council Equality Committee. This committee will be charged with identifying meaningful steps, which will be taken to educate our members and ensure all families know they are welcome in Scouting and will treated fairly and equitably.

National Capital Area Council is pleased to announce that Clarence Crayton will be serving as Chairman of this new initiative. Mr. Crayton is a veteran Scouter and former NCAC Council Commissioner. He is an active member of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church and serves as chartered organization representative for their Scouting units. His knowledge of Scouting and strong community and faith-based background make him ideal for this important leadership role.

This is an important time in our nation’s history. We believe Scouting can play a role in preparing young people to become productive adult citizens, and to eliminate racism and other unacceptable behaviors from our society.

The Chris Lantos Waterfront

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The waterfront at Camp Bowman-Goshen Scout Reservation was named in memory of Boy Scout Chris Lantos in 2014.

Chris was born on September 29, 2000. He was an avid Boy Scout camper who visited Goshen three consecutive summers in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

He loved exploring nature, swimming in the lake and roasting smores by the campfire with his Scout buddies in the evenings.

In 2012 Chris was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in 2013.

In his memory, his parents supported the Boy Scouts and named the waterfront at Goshen Scout Reservation after Chris. They also established the Chris Lantos Foundation to help kids with cancer to benefit other youth experiencing childhood Leukemia. (ChrisLantosFoundation.org)

This is a great example of how to create a legacy within Scouting for someone you love or yourself in the future so that Scouts for many generations can continue to have amazing experiences like Chris.

For more information about creating your Legacy, please contact Jenna Welle at Jenna.Welle@scouting.org.

BSA Membership Fee to Increase

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Dear Scouting Families:

We have learned that BSA plans to make an announcement later today about an increase to the annual membership fees. This increase is a result of financial needs created by the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings and COVID-19, which has created a substantial unplanned loss of revenue due to mandated Scout Shop closures and shortened high adventure base seasons.

We understand many of our Scouting families are also dealing with similar financial issues. Once we receive the official notification from BSA we will evaluate how it will impact our local families. We do not want finances to be a barrier to participation in Scouting, and will do our best to assist families who need it to the fullest extent possible.

Locally, our Council also faces these same issues and are doing our best to address the impact of three months of office closure, activity cancellations, diminished fundraising campaigns, and the loss of our entire summer camp season. We know, however, that our staff and volunteers will continue to do their best to offer high-quality Scouting experiences during these challenging times.

We continue to be amazed by the innovation our Scouting family has shown at every level, from Scouts making masks for essential personnel in their community to Goshen’s new alternative summer program. We are living in interesting times, as the saying goes, but will emerge the stronger for it.

Please review the infographic below. As more information is released, we will continue to share it with you.

Local Boy Scout Council To Hold Day Of Giving And Unity

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Scouts join #GivingTuesdayNow in response to urgent COVID-19 need

 BETHESDA, MD (May 1, 2020) — National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) has joined forces with #GivingTuesday in order to support local Scouting families experiencing COVID-19 related needs and develop ongoing digital programs that enable Scouts to continue building leadership and character while maintaining social distancing.

#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity, set to take place on May 5, 2020, as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world.

NCAC has cancelled or rescheduled all in-person events due to the pandemic. In addition to Scouts missing out on anticipated events such as Pinewood Derbies and Family Campouts, this has hurt the council by eliminating activity revenue and traditional fundraising campaigns, especially as stay-at-home orders are extended into the summer camping season. Many families now also face difficulty affording the Scouting program without assistance. NCAC plans to relaunch their annual fundraising campaign on #GivingTuesdayNow, restructured for online giving, in order to help meet these needs.

“If I was going to add one point to the Scout Law, it might just be, a Scout is grateful. We learn gratitude from truthful and reverent behavior, and in turn, it teaches us to be helpful and kind,” stated Scout Executive, Craig Poland. “We are incredibly grateful for all the Scout families, volunteers, and donors who are making it possible for young people to continue their Scouting experience while remaining safely at home.”

At a time when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe. Generosity gives everyone power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on. It’s a day for everyone around the world to stand together and give back in all ways, no matter who or where we are.

People can show their generosity in a variety of ways during #GivingTuesdayNow, whether it’s helping a neighbor, advocating for an issue, sharing a skill, or giving to causes, every act of generosity counts. The global movement will emphasize opportunities to give back to communities and causes in safe ways that allow for social connection even while practicing physical distancing.

“As a global community, we can mourn this moment of extreme crisis while also finding the opportunity to support one another. We each have the power to make an impact with acts of generosity, no matter how small, and to ensure the sustainability of organizations and services that are crucial to the care and support of our communities,” said Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday. “#GivingTuesdayNow is a chance for us to stand united and use grassroots generosity to show that we are all in this together, beginning to end. Even as many face financial uncertainty, generosity is not about size. From calling an elderly neighbor to chat to offering translation help; from showing gratitude to our healthcare workers to donating to your local food bank, every act of kindness is a beacon of hope in this crisis. We all have something to give, and every act of human consideration and kindness matters.”

Community members interested in joining NCAC’s #GivingTuesdayNow efforts can visit www.NCACBSA.org/GTN.

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About Boy Scouts of America & National Capital Area Council

Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life. ™ The Scouting organization is composed of 2.6 million youth members between the ages of 6 and 21 and more than a million volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more, please visit www.Scouting.org.

National Capital Area Council was organized in 1911 and today stands as one of the oldest and largest councils in America. The Council territory includes the District of Columbia; Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland; and in Virginia the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Stafford and Culpeper as well as the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, Manassas Park and Fredericksburg in Virginia; and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, please visit www.NCACBSA.org.

About GivingTuesday

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eight years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give. GivingTuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity and equity around the globe.

“Scouting At Home” Timeframe Extended

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Dear Scouting Families,

Due to the continuing pandemic in our communities, National Capital Area Council, BSA is extending “Scouting At Home” until further notice. The Marriott Scout Service Center and all NCAC camping properties will be closed to the public during this time, but our friendly staff remains available to help! Please contact us for all your Scouting needs.

We encourage all our units to continue holding virtual meetings and events. There are a lot of amazing stories on WeOwnAdventure.com and we are inspired by your continued innovation and creativity! If your unit is looking to start holding online meetings, check out these resources for virtual meetings.

We also want to invite you to our Council’s first Virtual Campfire! Join us on May 5, 7pm on our Facebook page for songs, skits, and Scout Spirit. Can’t wait to see you there!