We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Cynthia Griffiths

Give Feedback at the Outdoor Programs 2025 Town Hall

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The Council hears from our Scouting Community that our outdoor programs and facilities are not designed and consistently maintained in the way Scouts and families prefer to experience the outdoors now and for the future. We want to gather input and feedback from our membership so we can adjust our outdoor programs and facilities to meet our Scouting Community’s expectations.

What We Hope to Achieve

In the next 18 months, we hope to define a compelling, dynamic and sustainable NCAC Outdoor Program and associated facilities that:

  • Delivers the Scouting mission in a forward-thinking manner through at least 2050;
  • Understands and expresses our Scouting Communities’ evolving expectations in a transparent way;
  • Attracts and retains Scouts and families of all abilities and means with age-appropriate experiences; and
  • Is a model that other councils emulate.

We want your input!

Outdoor Programs 2025 Kick Off

When: April 16, 2024 at 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Topic: Outdoor Program 2025 Town Hall

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qNMw8PvDSrK1LcRJW4qxxg

For complete information on the Outdoor Programs 2025 Initiative of the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan go to: https://www.ncacbsa.org/outdoor-programs-2025/

 

All This Before Most of Them Turned 10!

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At Pack 1100’s Arrow of Light Crossover Ceremony on March 2, 2024 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield, Virginia, the positive impact of this one den made over the last six years was documented. These 11 Scouts positively influnced the community in so many ways through the Scouting program. Just look at this list!

They have:

  • cleaned up parks and waterways,
  • supported our local schools when there was no one to maintain the grounds,
  • cleaned our local trails,
  • made cards for wounded warriors,
  • collected toys for newly admitted families at Walter Reed,
  • provided Christmas greetings to a Virgina Veterans home, and
  • celebrated the “Month of the Military Child” in the White House with First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.

They earned:

  • top scores for teamwork at Camp Ross,
  • recognition for their commitment to their religious organizations, and
  • the National Park Award by participating in volunteer and educational activities.

They have overcome challenges with diversity, learned how to work as a team and how to accept the loses with the wins.

They supported Wreaths Across America, recruited new friends who have become Scouts, earned the top NOVA awards in Cub Scouting, collected and delivered over 200 pounds of supplies for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, and presented the BSA Report to the Nation.

Through the years they have collected over 5,000 pounds of food to support our local food bank and
community and conducted over 150 hours of community service.

They have spent 112 nights camping, hiked over 332 miles (that’s like hiking from Springfield to Cleveland), and Scouted for 12,816 day or 35 years.

One of them even participated in a push up challenge with Congressman Dan Crenshaw on the steps of the US Capitol.

“As we celebrate these 11 Scouts today,” explained their Den Leader, Marjorie McDonald, at the ceremony,“we know these Scouts are our future and knowing what we know about them, I can tell you our future is bright! It has been an honor for Christina and I to lead these Scouts, but perhaps they were leading us and we didn’t
even know it….. Watch out world here they come!”

Gazette Leader Highlights Troop 505

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On  November 21, 2023 the Gazette Leader published a story “Church in Arlington View works to make Thanksgiving inclusive,” about Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington View. The article explains how the Church charters Troop 505 which did the “heavy lifting” by shuttlig the Thanksgiving dinners to be distributed to different places on the grounds.

Read the article at this link:  www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/news/church-in-arlington-view-works-to-make-thanksgiving-inclusive-7857460

Scout Takes Center Stage at NCAC Tech Event

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At some NCAC special fundraising events, a Scout is asked to speak about their Scouting experience. This year at the Technology Good Scout Award Luncheon to honor Bruce Caswell, President & CEO of Maximus, as the 2023 Good Scout on November 8, 2023, Linda, a STEM/Scout BSA, was asked tell everyone how Scouting has influenced her life.

Attendees at the luncheon were very impressed to learn that Linda is a published author of her own children’s book, Linda and the Mysterious Footprints, and founder/CEO of the nonprofit Linda’s Lab. Five years ago, when Cub Scouts first opened their programing to girls, she was one of the first to join and as she commented, “I became part of a historical change for the better, and I am really proud of that.”

Linda explained to the industry leaders that “STEM and Scouting have always gone together. As Scouts we learn orienteering, how to build a fire and a shelter, and how to render medical aid. We become confident scientists and mathematicians without even realizing it. And with the development of STEM Scouts and the NOVA awards program, Scouts can gain an even deeper understanding of the world around us and the science beneath the surface. To earn my Wolf rank, I learned about weather, disaster preparedness, fire safety, and how to identify and respect wildlife. For my Bear rank, I learned to use a thermometer, barometer, and magnifying glass, and the value of community service. I earned the NOVA Swing award by learning how engineering and simple machines affect my life every day. And as a Webelo, I earned the Arrow of Light award by exploring geology and the importance of native plants to our environment.”

“After bridging into Scouts BSA as a founding member of Troop 964G in 2022, I earned my Scout, Tenderfoot, Second class, and First class ranks. I learned first aid, the value of situational awareness and physical strength, and to respect both the beauty and danger present in nature. I learned about the stars and the vastness of the universe. I learned to navigate with a map and compass. I learned to plan ahead, pack and carry my own gear, and to provide myself and others with food and shelter. I gained confidence and strength as a swimmer and learned about water safety and water rescue. As senior patrol leader, I learned to lead others with thoughtfulness and respect. As a Scout I have learned to question, to be brave, to speak with confidence, to work as part of team, to communicate effectively with others, and to value family, community, humanity, and the earth that supports us all.”

“I believe Scouting makes a difference. I believe it teaches us to be bigger than ourselves. I know what it has done for me. When I was five years old, I joined Cub Scouts. I also built a laboratory in my bedroom, and started my nonprofit, Linda’s Lab. The skills I learned as a Scout gave me the confidence to do big things.”

“I skipped three grades in school, started high school and college classes at age seven, and attended UVA a full-time last summer at age 10. I published a children’s book about the scientific method, carbon footprints, and environmental stewardship. I expanded my nonprofit to include science education programs in public schools and libraries. I became a science communicator, sharing my love of science with the world through social media. I was participating in scouting events when I first looked at stars through a telescope, and when i left the earth for the first time, in an open cockpit biplane. These experiences led me to astrophysics.”

She recounted a story, “In May I was on vacation with my family, swimming in a hotel pool. As I played in the pool, I saw something beneath the water.  I swam into the deep end and saw a little girl, motionless at the bottom of the pool. Without Scouts, I would not have been in the deep end. I would not have had the situational awareness to spot a person in trouble or found the strength to yell for help and be heard above the noise all around me. My mother heard me first. She pulled the little girl from the pool and began first aid. My father joined her, and I took over care of my little brother, who could not swim yet. Together, we saved a life. Scouting saved a life. So yes, Scouting makes a difference. Today’s scouts are tomorrow’s scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and leaders. And I will be one of them.”

“I could not be more excited to hear from this extrodinarily talented young Scout,” said Scout Executive/CEO Mario A. Pérez who then explained that her nonprofit  aims to use mealworm protein to solve world hunger and has a larva library that loans mealworm life cycle experiment kits to public schools so students can learn and be inspired to love science. He noted, “She is currently working on her second children’s book, studying Mandarin Chinese and completing additional coursework to become an astrophysicist. Linda plans to finish high school by age 14, complete an astrophysics degree at the University of Virginia by age 16, and secure her dream job with NASA.”

“The connection between the values instilled through Scouting and the leaders of tomorrow in our industry is absolutely irrefutable,” declaed Mr. Casell during his remarks. “For all the immense good that technology brings and the encouragement we can, should, and will provide Scouts to pursue their passions in this area, I’m simply reminded that now is a critical time to support organizations like Scouting.  From overcoming the profound delays in social development exacerbated by the pandemic, to enriching compassion and empathy through activities and interactions with those not like us, Scouting is playing a critical role.  We are building stronger and more empathetic citizens and with them – even in a small way – strengthening our communities.”

This annual event that recognizes and honors outstanding leaders in the technology industry from within the Greater Washington, DC area who exemplify the values of the Scout Oath and Law in his or her daily life. This year the event was chaired by Richard Montoni, NVTC Board Chair, Maximus Board Co-Chair, and raised over $200,000 for our Scouting program.

Additional photos from the event can be found on NCAC’s Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/ncacbsa/albums/72177720312531730

Three Brothers Earn Eagle and All Merit Badges!

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On Sunday, October 22, 2023, three brothers from Troop 1131 in Burke, Virginia were celebrated at a very special Eagle Court of Honor. All three Sejas-Fernandez brothers, aged 20-14, accomplished earning the highest rank in Scouts BSA, the rank of Eagle Scout, and each also reached the extraordinary goal of earning all the merit badges available at the time. Pablo, the oldest brother has 137, Gabriel, the second oldest, has 138, and Anthony, the youngest, has 139. The last merit badge that the older two brothers worked on, the backpacking merit badge, was the first merit badge for the youngest.

Why did these three Scouts embark on the journey to earn every merit badge? It all started because of a mistake! Pablo explained that one night when they were attempting to sew his first merit badges on his sash for Scout Sunday, they went online to find the proper way. Although they wound up actually sewing the first patch on the wrong side of the sash, during this research, they saw two articles about two Scouts who had earned all 137 merit badges. Pablo recalled, “I was captivated. I said to myself, ‘I only have six. How will I get all 137?’” So, during a process that included a mistake, he was inspired to accomplish the goal of earning all 137 merit badges.

When Gabriel remembered coming across a video of a Scout on the news who had earned all the merit badges he reflected, “I can’t explain how or why we were motivated by that video. But after that day, Pablo and I put our Scout career into high gear. We not only had the goal of Eagle Scouts, we had the goal of earning every merit badge that was offered.”

Beyond the pursuit of merit badges, Scouting fulfilled a need that their Mother, Renee, knew had to be met for her sons, “Scouting was life changing. For me as a single mom when my husband died, it was a struggle to find the right place where I could have the boys be active and find nice people who could teach the boys something because I couldn’t teach them any more as a mom and their father was gone. I was so worried, so concerned.” When they finally found a Troop close to their home in Virginia and started to learn more about Scouting, Renee reflected, “I found that there were older kids doing great things so that was the goal. We looked at each other and thought that maybe we could try doing that.”

During his remarks, Pablo, explained, “I can still recall the day I joined Scouting, never knowing what I would accomplish. I was eleven and from that first night of camping I said to myself, ‘I will stay with the Boys Scouts until the end,’ not knowing what I had gotten myself into! The next five years were transforming. The adventures and memories made will remain with me for the rest of my life.” He explained that Scouting taught him how to be a leader and how to run a Troop from when he started as Assistant Patrol Leader and eventually served as Senior Patrol Leader. He noted that Scouting also taught him commitment because he used to be at every single meeting, service project, and camping trip.

As it does for many Scouts, earning merit badges can lead to a particular path in life. Pablo explained, “With the merit badges we learned many new skills. Skills that included scuba diving, water sports, and shotgun merit badges and many more. Some of these merit badges prepared us to have an understanding of subjects like chemistry, engineering, and electronics. Some of them eventually make you pursue a career. For me that merit badge was programming and as of now I am at George Mason University studying cybersecurity and engineering.”

During the ceremony, Gabriel remembered that he had not liked the overall experience of Cub Scouting and didn’t want to continue with Scouting. However, he joked that due to the “powers of persuasion and peer pressure,” he joined. After summer camp when he was 12 years old, he said, “It took me until that summer to realize that Scouting isn’t some scheduled bunch of activities for somewhat outdoorsy people. Along with my friends from the Troop we had our own independent and interesting classes for archery, fishing, and more. I knew then that Boy Scouts had more to offer than what I thought going in.”

Gabriel also held leadership positions including Senior Patrol Leader and noted that all the skills he learned added up to his Eagle Scout project, “The impact of my project at a nature center may have been temporary but the effect it will have on me will last me the rest of my life. Thanks to the opportunity provided to me through Scouting and the lessons of leadership, dedication, and teamwork, I am grateful to have been a part of such a wonderful organization.”

“The merit badge work prepares you overall to be prepared for anything in life,” added Gabriel. “Doing your research beforehand and making sure you are set for what you have to do – that’s what merit badges taught me along with the skills. You won’t get that anywhere else.”

Anthony agreed, “All these different skills just stay in your mind, make you sharper and smarter and it makes you more prepared for everything in life as in the Scout motto.”

During his remarks Anthony said, “The Scouting journey is like nothing else. It’s more than just earning Eagle Scout and 139 merit badges.” He wanted to say that he accomplished this goal but he emphasized that, “The Scouting journey has been a beautiful thing to do because you meet so many great people and go to so many fun places. There is nothing like it. Scouting is the greatest thing known to man! Scouting is a brotherhood with such great people who help each other as if they are their own family.”

Throughout the ceremony the three Scouts thanked their mother for her constant support and for being loving and uplifting. For years she has driven the Scouts to meetings, merit badge classes, and summer camps throughout the region in order to assist them with their lofty goal.

When the three Scouts awarded grandparent pins to Gretchen and Kief Tackaberry for helping them along their Scout journey, it was evident that Scouting had in fact extended their family beyond their dedicated mother. Mrs. Tackaberry wound up sewing on their merit badges to very large sashes. Anthony noted Mr. Tackaberry was a mentor who was caring and smart. Renee added “a very special thank you to Gretchen and Kief Tackaberry for their unconditional support and dedication to Scouting.”

As was noted at the ceremony, the Scouting journey for these three Scouts is not only about the desire and determination of achieving these goals, the trail is about a family. Even after a diagnosis of illness, Renee continued to support her boys, hiked over 40 miles and backpacked 75 miles with the last five days in the pouring rain. Mr. Tackaberry noted, “Truly the spirit of the Eagle burns in her heart.”

 

NCAC Scouts Help Alleviate Food Insecurity with Annual Food Drive

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NCAC Scouts Help Alleviate Food Insecurity with Annual Food Drive

Scouts Add New Way of Donating Food through a Virtual Collection Drive 

OCTOBER 12, 2023, WASHINGTON, DC— Local Scouts will be kicking off the 37th annual Scouting for Food in the greater Washington, DC region. Scouts will post notes, distribute flyers, and advertise virtually to homes throughout the DC metro area from October 28th through November 5th with instructions on when they will return to collect non-perishable food items in each neighborhood. Community members are asked to provide bags or boxes with their donations to aid in the collection process.

This year, community members also have the option of donating through a new virtual Scouting for Food campaign. Partnering with You Give Goods, National Capital Area Council, (NCAC) has created 15 virtual food drives that will benefit specific nonprofit food pantries throughout the Council territory. The virtual food drives can be found at: https://yougivegoods.com/ncac-scoutingforfood2023

Scouting for Food is one of the largest annual food drives in the metropolitan area. Scouts of all ages, from 6 to 21 years old, will participate in Scouting for Food throughout the District of Columbia, as well as 16 counties in Maryland and Virginia. The yearly campaign meets the mission of the Boy Scouts of America, “…to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law” and specifically the part of the Scout Oath that states, “…to help other people at all times.”

“In 2022 nearly 10,000 youth and 6,500 adults participated in the drive and collected over 642,000 pounds of food for needy families across our council territory,” said Mario A. Pérez, CEO and Scout Executive of the National Capital Area Council, BSA. “Through our Scouting for Food effort we provide the opportunity for Scouts, Scouters, and youth volunteers to serve their community and learn that they can positively impact the lives of their neighbors.”

“I have had the opportunity to participate in various community service projects through Scouting, such as collecting food for the Scouting for Food program and helping in multiple Eagle Scout projects,” explained Life Scout Owen B. “These experiences have taught me the importance of giving back to my community, and the value of helping those in need.”

According to the Capital Area Food Bank’s 2023 Hunger Report, “One in three residents – 32% – did not know where their next meal was coming from at some point between May 2022 and April 2023. That’s essentially unchanged from the 33% of respondents who reported experiencing food insecurity in the 2022 survey.”

Scouting for Food is held every fall prior to Thanksgiving. Local food banks rely on the efforts of the Scouts to stock their shelves for the upcoming holiday months when food demands are the highest. Healthy items needed include canned protein (tuna, salmon, chicken); peanut butter; grains (pasta, whole grain pasta, brown & white rice, corn & flour tortillas); whole grain hot & cold cereals (multi-grain, low sugar cereals, oatmeal); canned vegetables; and canned fruits.

Scouting for Food is co-sponsored by the Safeway Foundation.

                                                                            

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About BSA and the National Capital Area Council

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) 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 more than 1 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and more than 628,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. Since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million young men and women have participated in the BSA’s youth programs. More than 35 million adult volunteers have helped carry out the BSA’s mission. For more, please visit www.Scouting.org.

 

National Capital Area Council (NCAC) was organized in 1911 and today stands as one of the oldest and largest councils in America. Scouts from the NCAC do over 400,000 hours of community service each year. 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.