Marijke Hart

Camp Catoctin Honors America 250 with Flag Retirement Ceremony

August 28, 2026 by Marijke Hart

Against the backdrop of Catoctin Mountain Park, Scouts, Scouters, staff, veterans, first responders, and community partners gathered at Camp Catoctin for a moving America 250 Flag Retirement Ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States and reflecting on the enduring ideals of citizenship, service, sacrifice, and responsibility. The ceremony featured remarks from three distinguished guests: Marcia Deppen, Interim Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security; Joe Darling, Chief Ranger at Catoctin Mountain Park, National Park Service; and Mario Perez, Scout Executive for the National Capital Area Council. Each offered a unique perspective on service, citizenship, leadership, and the responsibility we all share in strengthening our communities and our nation.

Their remarks connected the history and symbolism of the American flag with the values Scouts strive to live each day. The ceremony also included participation from veterans, first responders, Scouts, Scouters, and Camp Catoctin staff—representing generations of individuals committed to serving others. The presence of veterans and first responders made the ceremony especially meaningful, offering Scouts a visible reminder that service takes many forms—from military service and public safety to volunteerism, civic engagement, and leadership within our communities.

As American flags that had reached the end of their service were respectfully retired, Scouts experienced the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law in a powerful and tangible way. The ceremony was about more than retiring flags; it was an opportunity to understand what those flags represent and to recognize the responsibility each generation carries to preserve the ideals of citizenship, service, and respect. As America marks its 250th anniversary, Camp Catoctin was proud to commemorate this historic milestone in a way uniquely suited to Scouting: gathering together in the outdoors, honoring those who serve, reflecting on our shared history, and inspiring young people to consider the role they will play in our nation’s future.

It was a fitting reminder that while we honor the history represented by our flag, its future rests in the hands of the young people we are preparing to lead, to serve, and to make their mark on the world.

Written by Jeffrey Huggins, Camp Director of Camp Catoctin

Teaching the Next Generation to Protect Our Waterways: Charlotte’s Eagle Scout Project

August 26, 2026 by Marijke Hart

Charlotte, a Scout from Troop 130 in Alexandria, VA, was recently featured by ALXnow (Everything Alexandria) for her Eagle Scout project, which helps teach young people about protecting local waterways and the environment.

Charlotte is an artist and a budding biologist with hopes of a pre-med track in college. As she works toward earning the Eagle Scout rank, she has combined those two interests into her focus for her Eagle Scout project and created an educational resource designed to inspire children to become environmental stewards and understand how their everyday actions can make a difference. Her project reflects the spirit of Scouting by combining leadership, service, and a commitment to making a lasting impact in the community.

Projects like Charlotte’s demonstrate how Scouts identify needs, develop creative solutions, and lead efforts that benefit others. By focusing on environmental education, she is helping empower the next generation to care for the world around them.

Learn more about Charlotte’s project, her inspiration, and the educational resource she created in ALXnow’s feature story.

Read Charlotte’s Full Feature Story: ALXnow

Troop 1831 Scout Leads Cemetery Cleanup Service Project During Juneteenth Weekend

June 26, 2026 by Marijke Hart

Life Scout Lance W. of Troop 1831, Accotink Bay District, recently led the primary service event for his Eagle Scout project at the Dumfries Slave & Free African American Cemetery in Dumfries, Virginia.

Held on Saturday, June 20, during Juneteenth weekend, the cemetery maintenance and cleanup event was conducted in partnership with the Friends of Dumfries Slave Cemetery. Volunteers from Troop 1831 and the surrounding community worked together to clear overgrowth, remove debris, and help restore the grounds of the historic cemetery.

The Dumfries Slave & Free African American Cemetery is the resting place of enslaved and free African Americans. According to Lance, “the timing of the project during Juneteenth weekend made the day especially meaningful”.

The project brought Scouts and community members together in service to help preserve an important historic site while supporting Lance’s journey toward earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Eagle Scout Project Enhances DC Fire and EMS Engine 24

June 15, 2026 by Marijke Hart

Community service and support for first responders were at the heart of a successful Eagle Scout project completed by Troop 544 in Washington, D.C.

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, Troop 544 member Jaron completed his Eagle Scout project at DC Fire and EMS Engine 24. Located in the Petworth neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C., the station is part of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and serves the surrounding community.

The day began with Troop 544 officially raising the flag at the fire station.

Explaining the purpose of the project, Jaron said, “I planned this painting and planting event to support neighborhood first responders.”

Jaron’s beautification project focused on improving the appearance of the station for both firefighters and community members. Volunteers repainted the handrails on the station’s ADA-compliant ramp and staircase and planted new flowers and greenery around the property.

When asked why he selected Engine 24 for his Eagle Scout project, Jaron explained, “I chose Engine 24 because it looked like it needed help.”

The project drew strong support from firefighters, Troop 544 members, mentors, and local residents who came together to help complete the work.

Captain Mike Bozarth of Rescue Squad 2 expressed his appreciation for the effort, saying, “We’re really grateful that Jaron thought of us when he was deciding where to do his Eagle Scout project. We’re happy to be involved.”

Kevin Magby, an Eagle Scout and mentor, praised Jaron’s commitment to service and leadership.

“I want to keep Jaron encouraged because he’s doing a great job,” Magby said. “Young men like himself need to be showcased more as doing the right thing. We see a lot of negative things in the media. We want to showcase the positive aspects.”

The completed improvements will provide lasting benefits for the firefighters who work at Engine 24 and Rescue Squad 2, as well as the residents they serve. The success of the project highlights the positive impact that Scouting, community partnerships, and volunteer service can have in strengthening neighborhoods and supporting local first responders.

Scouting C.A.R.E.S. Pack 5600 Explores Great Falls National Park

April 30, 2026 by Marijke Hart

Scouting C.A.R.E.S. Pack 5600 from E.W. Stokes Elementary School recently visited Great Falls National Park for a day of hands-on learning and outdoor exploration. The experience gave students the opportunity to connect classroom concepts with the natural world through guided activities and outdoor engagement.

During the visit, students participated in the park’s Flower Adventure Program, where they learned about native and invasive flowers found in the local environment. In addition to the educational programming, students enjoyed fishing and took part in field games, making the day both informative and fun. The trip provided a meaningful setting for students to build teamwork and confidence while developing a deeper appreciation for nature. By experiencing learning outside the classroom, students were able to see real-world applications of what they study and strengthen connections with their peers.

What Is Scouting C.A.R.E.S.?

Scouting C.A.R.E.S.—which stands for Character, Achievement, Respect, Education, and STEM—is an initiative of the National Capital Area Council designed to expand access to Scouting for all youth. The program partners with schools and community organizations across the DMV to bring hands-on, character-based Scouting experiences to communities that would benefit from a vibrant Scouting program. Through Scouting C.A.R.E.S., youth participate in programs that emphasize character development, leadership, ethics, and moral values, while fostering curiosity, resilience, and a sense of belonging. The initiative reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and works to ensure Scouting is inclusive and available to all young people, regardless of background or circumstance. Scouting C.A.R.E.S. provides in-school, afterschool, and community-based outreach programming led by positive adult role models. Youth enrolled in the program enjoy the same Scouting experiences as Scouts throughout the Council, including outdoor opportunities such as Day Camp and Resident Camp.

To learn more about our National Capital Area Council’s Scouting C.A.R.E.S. program, visit NCAC’s website: https://ncacscouting.org/scouting-cares/

Cub Scouts In Action: Community Cleanup and Nature Exploration

March 30, 2026 by Marijke Hart

Earlier this month, a group of Cub Scouts from Pack 160 in Herndon, VA came together for a 2.5‑mile spring hike along the ponds and trails in their community of Franklin Farm. The goal was simple: enjoy the nice weather, help clean up the neighborhood, and learn more about the wildlife around us.

Working Together and Helping the Community

All of our Scouts put on gloves, grabbed trash bags, and teamed up in small groups to scour the trails for litter. By the end of the hike, we filled two trash bags with wrappers, bottles, and other trash found along the trails and ponds. Several neighbors stopped to thank the Scouts for helping keep the area clean, which gave everyone a great chance to practice being polite and representing Scouting well.

The most memorable find of the day was the bottom half of an early‑2000s Sony PSYC CD Walkman. None of the Scouts knew what it was, so we paused for a fun “old‑school music” lesson. The parents got a good laugh from the guesses!

Fun Wildlife Discoveries

Spring wildlife was everywhere along the trails. The Scouts spotted turtles sunbathing on logs, deer and dog tracks in the mud, a fallen bird egg, and even a crawfish shell left behind on a bridge. During a quick snack break, a large flock of Sandhill Cranes flew overhead, calling loudly — a rare and exciting sight.

Practicing Leave No Trace

Throughout the hike, we talked about the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles. And our Scouts practiced staying on the right side of the path, giving space to dogs and other walkers, and respecting both nature and the people around them.

A Great Day Outdoors

It was a perfect spring afternoon to serve the community, learn about nature, and enjoy being outside together. Scouts from all age groups worked as a team, explored the outdoors, and showed what it means to “leave the world better than you found it.”