We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Cynthia Griffiths

Eagle Project Builds Community at Home and in Ecuador

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The Arlington Catholic Herald published a story about a special Eagle Scout project that strengthened relationships at St. John Neumann Church in Reston and with the church’s sister parish, Niño Jesús Church in Manta, Ecuador.  With the help of many volunteers, the Scout, Morrow, built a set of 14 Stations of the Cross then created English, Spanish and bilingual booklets containing reflections that he sought from 14 ministries of his church. He delivered the stations in person to the Niño Jesús Church and worked with 15 youth to install the stations. Some of the youth turned out to be Scouts in the Ecuadorian program. Read the full story in the Arlington Catholic Herald: https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/simple-eagle-scout-project-fosters-community-with-ecuadorian-parish/

Get Ready for Camp! Scout Shop Event 5/6

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Visit the National Capital Scout Shop in the Marriott Scout Service Center in Bethesda, MD or the Northern Virginia Scout Shop in Springfield, VA for special events on Saturday, May 6, 2023!

NCAC Camp Staff will be at both locations to answer questions and talk about camp – what to expect, what to bring, etc. – so Scouts and leaders can learn everything they need to know about their upcoming camp adventure. If a Scout is thinking about camp, this is the perfect opportunity to learn all about this summer’s possibilities!

At the same time, Scout Shop staff will be available to provide backpack fittings, camping gear demonstrations, and campsite set-up with a shop section for 10 Basic Essentials for Hiking/Camping, displays of class B activity t-shirts/camp hats, and lots more. Scouts can also pick up their “Get Ready for Camp” packing checklists.

The Scout Shops have more camping gear than ever! Our Shops carry hundreds of camp items including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, hammocks, sleep hammock gear, waterproof rain apparel, first aid kits, lanterns/flashlights, hiking socks, dry sacks, mess kits, backpacking cook kits & gear, camping/backyard fun recreation games & activities, and Dutch oven and cooking accessories.

On top of all this, the Scout Shops are having a special sale from 4/27 – 5/6/23. Basically the more you purchase, the more you save.
Imagine 25% savings on several Osprey brand backpacks! That’s huge!

Scout Shop Hours and Locations

 

Outdoor Ethics Spring 2023

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Meet & greet and information session for Outdoor Ethics Guides
Tuesday 4/25/23 at 7pm on zoom. Join the zoom meeting to meet current & aspiring Outdoor Ethics Guides (youth) & NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee members and build on your knowledge & confidence in leading outdoor ethics in your unit. For YOUTH. Register for the OE Guide meet & greet.

Leave No Trace Master Educator course
May 14-19, 2023 at The Summit in West Virginia (not in NCAC but close). A major goal for this course is to graduate effective & active Leave No Trace Master Educators who will return to their home council & conduct the key Leave No Trace Trainer courses needed to support their unit, district & council outdoor programs. More info about the Master Educator course.  Register for the course.

Outdoor Ethics Orientation courses -in-person in Brandywine, MD
The goal of this 90-minute course is to introduce the concept of Outdoor Ethics in a fun & engaging way to a group with little experience in outdoor ethics. It should help youth & adults at all program levels understand the general principles behind Scouting’s outdoor ethics program.
Saturday 6/10/23 at 12:30-2
Saturday 9/9/23 at 12:30-2
Sunday 12/3/23 at 12:30-2

Outdoor Ethics Guide courses- in-person in Brandywine, MD
This 2 hour course taught by NCAC helps orient Outdoor Ethics Guides to this position of leadership in their unit by reviewing the responsibilities of the Outdoor Ethics Guide position, providing ideas on how to carry out this role, practicing some activities & games, & sharing resources.
Saturday 6/10/23 at 2:30-4:30
Saturday 9/9/23 at 2:30-4:30
Sunday 12/3/23 at 2:30-4:30

Leave No Trace Trainer courses in 2023
9/25/23 at 7pm online & 9/30/23 at 9am in-person in Germantown, MD
(watch for the link to register on the NCAC calendar)

10/16/23 at 7pm online & 10/21/23 at 9am in-person at Camp Snyder
Register for the October 2023 LNT Trainer course

If these courses do not work for your scouts/scouters or if you would like a member of our Outdoor Ethics Committee to lead an outdoor ethics-themed pack or troop meeting, please email your request.

Upcoming events

  • Next Roundtable: April 12 – Tell me about Project Learning Tree!
    PLT works with Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to provide scouting leaders with ideas and outdoor, hands-on activities to help support Cub Scouts adventures & Scouts BSA merit badges. PLT provides fun & inspiring activities that can help scouts advance! Marnie Lammle, PLT’s South Dakota Advocate, will introduce us to this nationwide program & its instructional materials
  • Register for the 2022-3 year of BSA Outdoor Ethics Roundtables
    Complete this form once for the whole year. Spell out your council name.

Updates from BSA

  • Save the Date: National Outdoor Conference Sep 27-Oct 1, 2023 at Philmont

Best practices, games & activities:

  • Outdoor Code hand gestures: watch this 13 second Outdoor Code video to learn hand gestures to help you remember the Outdoor Code. Thanks to Paul Schimke for this video!
  • Ways to Make Your Trash Cleanup More Sustainable: Any time you pick up trash, you are creating a positive impact, but by incorporating these tips, that impact can be even greater. No matter how you give back, your outdoor areas appreciate you. Read this Leave No Trash blog for tips to make your trash cleanup project more Earth-friendly!
  • Take the LeaveNoTrash pledge, then take ACTION: Every year the world generates 2.1 million tons of waste. This April, join Leave No Trace for its international #LeaveNoTrash movement. Together we have the power to make to a difference, remove trash from the outdoors and keep it healthy, protected & thriving. Take the pledge.
  • Are you straining your dishwater? Animals are attracted to all the food scraps that we leave behind. Straining your dishwater allows you to capture food particles that you can then put in the trash or compost. That way you won’t be leaving behind tasty tidbits for the squirrels, bears & other animals and you won’t be littering. Buy strainers & practice straining dishwater at your next troop meeting. Read the blog about gray water disposal or watch the video
  • Four Ds for your campfire: For best results while creating your Leave No Trace campfire, gather wood using the Four D’s.
    Dead: Wood that has been dead long enough to be dry.
    Down: Physically separated and down from living trees.
    Dinky: Smaller in girth, than one’s wrist or forearm. Easy to break and to burn completely through.
    Distant: Wood should be collected 200 feet from camp to avoid firewood mining and the effects of site creep.

 

National Capital Area Council Announces New Director of Field Services

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The National Capital Area Council is pleased to announce Stuart Goins as the new Director of Field Services effective May 1, 2023.

Since 2021, Goins has served as the Scout Executive/CEO of Tuscarora Council in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Previously, he was the Director of Field Service for Quivira Council in Wichita, Kansas from 2019 to 2021. Past experience also includes Assistant Scout Executive for Norwela Council in Shreveport, LA and District Director in the Sam Houston Area Council in Houston, TX.

Goins has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA. He grew up in Louisiana and was a Scout. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, is Wood Badge trained, and is a James E. West Fellow.

“Everyone involved with Stuart’s interview process connected with his welcoming personality,” said Mario A. Pèrez, NCAC Scout Executive/CEO. “We know his years of experience will benefit the NCAC. We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Stuart Goins to NCAC’s leadership team.”

National Capital Area Council Welcomes New Deputy Scout Executive

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Photo of G. Lee Murdoch
G. Lee Murdoch

The National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) is pleased to announce G. Lee Murdoch as Deputy Scout Executive effective May 1, 2023.

Since 2019, Murdoch has served as the Scout Executive/CEO of the Conquistador Council, BSA in Roswell, New Mexico. Previously, he served as Director of Support Services, Director of Camping, and Field Director at the Crossroads of America Council, BSA in Indianapolis, Indiana. Before moving to Indiana, he was both a Program and Field Director at Del-Mar-Va Council, BSA, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware.

Murdoch grew up in Easton, Maryland where he was the second generation in his family to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He began his Scouting career as a seasonal camp staff employee teaching fishing, canoeing, and small boat sailing. He is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and is Wood Badge trained. Murdoch has a Master of Science in Parks and Recreation Management from Indiana University and Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Administration from Frostburg State University. He and his wife, Christina, have two young children.

As part of the selection process, Murdoch wrote, “We’re excited about the opportunity to relocate to the DC Metro Area as we feel it offers a great opportunity for our family to live, work and play in a community intimately connected with moving our country forward and near amazing natural resources.”

“After an extensive interview process, we are delighted to have Lee Murdoch join the leadership team at the National Capital Area Council,” said Mario A. Pérez, NCAC Scout Executive/CEO. Pérez continued by saying “Lee has both the depth and breadth of leadership necessary to help lead the largest BSA Council in the country, which serves nearly 34,000 Scouts and over 17,000 volunteers. We are thrilled that Lee is joining the team.”

 

Scout Reach Camp Days in the US Virgin Islands

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Scouts from Claude O’Markoe School in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) visited Camp Wall as part of NCAC’s Scout Reach program.

Although the school is for 1st – 5th graders, most of the Cub Scouts are in third and fourth grade.

During the camp days, the Scouts did some fun outdoor group games and kids learned “repeat after me” camps songs. When the United States and the Virgin Island flags were raised, the Scouts learned why. Scouts also learned how to tie a couple of useful knots that they now can use in their everyday lives. During camp, the Scouts talked about the importance of the Scout Oath and Law and how both can be applied to everyday life in the territory. Because Scouts are helpful, they also did a beach cleanup to give back to the environment. Both camp days were loud, wild, beneficial, and most of all, super fun for the kids too!

This Pack is made possible by generous donors who are dedicated to continuing our Scouting program in the USVI.