We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Cynthia Griffiths

Silver Beaver Award Nominations Due Nov. 30

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The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given at the council, district, and unit levels. The Silver Beaver is given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service over a period of several years.

Nominations are due to Kelly Wratkowski by November 30, 2022 . The nomination process is not a guarantee of selection and should remain confidential. The potential candidate should not know that he or she is being considered for the Silver Beaver.

More information and the submission details are available at https://www.ncacbsa.org/silver-beaver-award/.

Be a Part of the Commanders Inaugural Season!

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NCAC Scout Day at the Washington Commanders is on Sunday, November 6, 2022 with a game time of 1pm at FedExField.

Each ticket purchased through the special link includes an exclusive Washington Commanders inaugural season shoulder patch.

Scouting families who want to meet up for a pre-game tailgate can purchase tickets in Lot F. NCAC will receive a $10 donation for each ticket purchased.

Scout Saves Grandmother Having A Stroke

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Last week, at People Who Move America, NCAC’s annual event honoring outstanding leaders in the trade and transportation industry who exemplify the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law, Trevor Austin spoke about his Scouting experience.  We are pleased to share what he said!

“Hello, Everyone! I can’t believe that I’m standing here tonight. Last year at this time, I was still in Cub Scouts, and I didn’t even know if I wanted to continue on to Boy Scouts. Now, look at me!

My name is Trevor Austin and I’m Tenderfoot rank (almost Second Class) in Troop 1657 at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Patuxent District in the National Capital Area Council. I’m also the Assistant Patrol Leader of my Patrol. We are the Arrows of Fire and WE BRING THE HEAT!

I’ve only been in Scouting for 3 years. I joined Cub Scouts, Pack 1657, as a Bear when I was 8 years old. I only had a vague idea of what Scouting was about at that time, I just wanted to go camping. Now, I’m 11 years old and I crossed over to Boy Scouts in April of this year. Standing here tonight, I can say that in 3 years I’ve learned so much.

On May 21st, I found my grandmother unconscious on the bathroom floor. I made sure she was breathing. I checked her pulse. I checked if she was bleeding. All the while, I kept talking to her, but she didn’t respond. I wanted to freak out, but I knew that I had to get help fast. I didn’t have my phone, but my mom was in the kitchen cooking breakfast at the time. I ran to her. She dropped everything and we called 911.

Afterwards, when I was telling my family and friends about what happened, people kept asking me how I knew what to do and how I stayed so calm. It all happened so fast. I didn’t stop to think about what to do. I just did it. I realized that it was because of my Scout training.

Cub Scouts was mostly fun. We explored, sang silly songs, and we played a lot. We also learned the 3Cs:
1. CHECK the scene
2. CALL for help
3. CARE for the victim, if you can
And there is a 4th C – CALM. You have to stay calm and think.

We drilled it. We rehearsed it. We role played various scenarios. I heard it and said it so many times. I didn’t realize how much I was learning during those games. Even in my first few weeks as a Boy Scout, we reviewed our emergency responses and learned how to administer First Aid, like for a sprained ankle, snake bite, or heat stroke.

When I found my grandmother that morning, all that training kicked in and I was able to do a pretty amazing thing because my grandmother had a stroke. They took her by helicopter to Baltimore for emergency brain surgery to remove a blood clot. The doctors said my quick thinking and actions got her the help she needed in time. And my grandmother is sitting here tonight!

I realize that I’m just at the beginning of my Scouting journey. My goal is to become an Eagle Scout (so you might see me again!). So far, Scouting has been an awesome experience for me. I’ve been camping, fishing, hiking. I learned how to erect a tent, build a fire, and cook on that fire. I learned how to survive in nature with just the resources I have. I’ve learned how to take care of my environment – plants, animals, and people. And I’m still learning skills that I can use in the real world, like saving someone’s life.

Also, Scouting is a brotherhood. I have made friends that I will probably keep for the rest of my life. But more importantly, wherever I go in the world, I’ll be recognized as a Scout because a Scout is:
• Trustworthy
• Loyal
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Courteous
• Kind
• Obedient
• Cheerful
• Thrifty
• Brave
• Clean
• Reverent

Thank you for allowing me to share my story here tonight. I’m sure that you will be hearing from me again!”

His act of heroism was also reported by UM Capital Region Health. Watch the story here:

 

Camping Palooza is for All Scouts!

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Registration for Camping Palooza on Saturday, October 15, 2022 is OPEN! Camping Palooza is a day event at Camp William B. Snyder celebrating scouting in NCAC by showcasing favorite scouting activities.

REGISTER: https://scoutingevent.com/082-CampingPalooza

Camping Palooza is open to ALL ages of Scouts and Scouters so don’t miss it! From Cub Scouts to Eagles, Sea Scouts, Venture Crews, and even non-scouts who might be interested in joining, all branches and ages of scouting are welcome at this event. Invite a friend and introduce scouting!

With as many exciting activities as we have planned, there is sure to be something for everyone!
-STEM activies
-Crafts in Mchael’s Woodshop
-Pop-up Scouting History museum
-Meet and greets with representatives of Service Careers
– Rock climbing
– Shooting sports
– Field games and fall fun
– A parade with a marching band
– A closing show sure to wow and excite
Plus much, much more!

Camping Palooza not only provides exciting activities, but also opportunities to network and meet other scouts!

KPMG Celebrates by Volunteering at Camp Snyder

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This month, volunteers from the Washington, DC office of KPMG descended on Camp William B. Snyder for a morning of service to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary on August 2, 2022. The company offered more than 40 different volunteer opportunities that provided a chance for their team members to learn and grow before their celebratory party in the afternoon.

Almost 40 of their team members chose to volunteer at Camp Snyder where they helped stain the multiple wood decks at Caroll’s Cottage, cleared the landscape of invasive species in the communal area, and split logs for future campfires. All the volunteers met the spirit of the Scout Slogan to “Do a Good Turn Daily.”

Jenny Vu
Eric Rasmussen

NCAC Executive Board member, Eric Rasmussen, who is a partner at KPMG, explained that he continues to be involved with the NCAC because Scouting taught him and his boys a lot. Many of the volunteers also had a connection to scouting. Some have served as scout leaders, have children in scouting, and were scouts themselves. Among the group we found the Advancement Chair for Troop 652 and a cub scout mom, Jenny, from Pack 146. One current Scout, Luke, accompanied his father for the day of service after spending the summer on staff at Goshen Scout Reservation.

We appreciate KPMG’s efforts toward improving Camp Snyder and know that their effort contributed to our ability to provide a quality program that encourages a lifetime of service to others, while building self-confidence and developing leadership skills for over 35,000 youth across the National Capital region.