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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Mickey Nemier

Scouting Salutes the Military 2025: Celebrating Leadership, Service, and Community

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Scouting Salutes the Military: Celebrating Leadership, Service, and Community

NCAC Announces Return of Prestigious Military Event

BETHESDA, MD, March 3, 2025— Scouting America National Capital Area Council (NCAC) is proud to announce the return of Scouting Salutes the Military on April 23, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA. This distinguished event, held during the Month of the Military Child, will honor the shared values of leadership, service, and resilience that unite Scouting and the military.

Vice Admiral (RET) Ricky Williamson, former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, will serve as both emcee and chairperson for the evening. With a legacy of leadership and service, Williamson will help guide this special occasion and expands its recognition beyond active duty military members to also honor veterans, military spouses, Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and Scouts who have made a lasting impact on their communities.

“This event highlights the powerful connection between Scouting and the military,” said Williamson. “We are proud to honor individuals whose service exemplifies the values of leadership, integrity, and selfless service—the cornerstones of both our communities.”

“The return of Scouting Salutes the Military has been met with incredible enthusiasm,” noted NCAC Chief Development Officer, King Laughlin. “In its first year back, we received nearly 40 nominations—a testament to the extraordinary service and dedication found within the military and Scouting communities. The overwhelming response underscores the profound impact of this event and the importance of recognizing those who lead with courage and commitment.”

Honoring Excellence

The evening will celebrate six distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions to the military and their communities:

  • Distinguished Service Award (Active Duty): US Army Colonel Rick Sonnenfeld, Troop 104
  • Veteran Achievement Award: Dave Myrda, Troop 1814, Pack 415, Crew 1814
  • Military Spouse Support Award: Katie Hinman, Pack 1533 and Troop 150
  • Military Scout Excellence Award (Current Scout): Ben Skaggs, Troop 118B
  • Distinguished Civilian Service Award (DoD): Marjorie J. McDonald, Pack 1100, Troops 1176 & 1145, Ship 1176
  • Mission Partner Award: Michael Corcoran, Troop 980

The event’s theme, “Leadership Begins Here” will guide the evening’s celebration. With a goal to raise $100,000, funds generated will support Scouting programs for military-connected youth, ensuring they have the resources to grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

Why Support Scouting Salutes the Military?

This event offers a unique opportunity to:

  • Celebrate the leadership and service of honorees whose actions embody Scouting’s core values.
  • Directly impact future leaders through sponsorships that fund youth programs for military families.
  • Build meaningful connections with military leaders, executives, and policymakers in an exclusive, inspiring setting.

The Scouting-Military Connection

For more than a century, Scouting has instilled leadership, service, and resilience—qualities that are essential in both military and civilian life. Many of today’s military leaders, including NASA astronauts, governors, and members of Congress, began their journeys in Scouting. Studies show that 57.4% of NASA astronauts, 36.4% of West Point cadets, and 25% of U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen participated in Scouting as youth.

Beyond shaping future leaders, Scouting also provides vital support to military families, offering continuity and community across the world. As military families transition from base to base, Scouting provides a stable environment for youth to connect, build friendships, and thrive—no matter where they are stationed.

Past Honorees and Speakers

Notable past honorees include:

  • Brigadier General Charles McGee, Tuskegee Airman
  • Captain John Rotruck, Commander of the USNS Mercy
  • The Honorable Joe Manchin III

Past emcees and speakers have included The Honorable Togo D. West, The Honorable Louis Caldera, and General J.H. Binford Peay III, USA (Ret.).

Sponsorship Opportunities

There are many ways to support Scouting Salutes the Military, from attending the event to becoming a sponsor which can be found at www.ncacscouting.org/military

2024 MoP Distinguished Project Award goes to NCAC Scout

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News Release: Messengers of Peace Distinguished Project Award recognizes outstanding Scouting service to Local Communities

[January 27, 2025] – Scouting America’s International Commissioner, Lou Paulson, announced that Jason W. (Troop 1094, National Capital Area Council) was chosen to receive the 2024 Messengers of Peace Distinguished Project Award as follows:

The award recognizes outstanding service by individuals who have made contributions within their respective communities towards the promotion of peace. Through their work in Scouting, which aligned with one (or more) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they have acted locally to effect global change.

Jason was selected for the award for his work on constructing new and improving current ecosystems in Poolesville, Maryland. The project exemplifies the spirit of the Messengers of Peace initiative, bringing together 100 volunteers to achieve remarkable outcomes. Jason converted a ½-acre non-native grass area into a flourishing pollinator habitat to support monarch butterflies, birds, and other wildlife, while improving soil water filtration essential to Poolesville’s well system. The project also innovated community programs to enhance the local ecosystems through implementation of a fishing line recycling program, installation of pond structures with Christmas trees, and creation of cavity nesting environments for birds.

The success of the project is reflected not only in its tangible outcomes – such as thriving pollinator gardens, cleaner ponds, and sightings of diverse wildlife – but also in its ability to bring the Poolesville community together to support environmental conservation. Jason hosted a booth at Poolesville Springfest and shared videos and resources on social media, raising awareness about environmental sustainability.

Jason is a dedicated and passionate Scout who has demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in his community, exemplifies what it means to be a Messenger of Peace, and embodies the Scout Oath and Law in his work. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor and thank you for inspiring others through your creativity and dedication!

Messengers of Peace Distinguished Projects are chosen annually by the International Commissioner of Scouting America and the Scouting America Messengers of Peace (MoP) committee. The award is open to registered Scouts who have made significant contributions to the promotion of peace and have met the requirements laid out in the MoP Program Guide. Scouts may be nominated for this award by any registered Scout Leader and must be approved by their Council International Representative and Scout Executive. The deadline for 2025 award nominations is October 31, 2025.

 

CVOA’s 3rd Annual Climbing Lock-In was a Success!

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Starting at 9:00 PM on Saturday, February 14, 2025, Venturers and Venturing age Scouts BSA and Sea Scouts participated in NCAC Venturing Officers’ Association (CVOA) 3rd Annual Climbing Lock-In and 27th Anniversary Venturing Celebration at Vertical Rock in Manassas, VA! Lasting for 10 hours, this year’s Climbing Lock-In featured fun activities for everyone, like board games, sharing stories, puzzles, pizza, chips, cupcakes, bouldering, and, of course, lots of rock climbing.

The Lock-In started with a “Learn the Ropes” intro course, which taught Scouts and Adults all of the necessary safety to climb in the facility and manage the ropes without the need for an instructor. Even after the intro course was over, a Vertical Rock Staff member stayed the entire evening to assist with anything they may have needed.

All participants had to wear closed-toe shoes and Class B uniforms, although several Scouts and Adults wore their Class A’s. There were even spots set aside for anyone who wanted to sleep.

There were so many Troops and Crews who attended, including Troop 1237, Troop 28, Troop 1188, Troop 840, Crew 850, Crew 858, Crew 1022, Crew 599, Crew 1018, Crew 1785, Crew 19, who proudly displayed their flag atop one of the climbing walls, Crew 850, Crew 617, Crew 599, all wearing their class A’s. There were even more Troops and Crews, including some Sea Scouts!

The CVOA’s 3rd Annual Climbing Lock-In was an absolute success. It gave all the Scouts and adults who attended a fantastic experience and created lasting memories!

Scouts Seek Yeti as part of Burke Lake, Prince William Districts’ Annual Klondike Derby Campout

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The Scouts and Scouters from Troops 1107 B and G in Springfield, Virginia, Accotink Bay District, braved the cold along with 20 other troops from across NCAC for the annual Burke Lake and Prince William Districts’ Klondike Derby, held at Camp William B. Snyder from January 24 – 26, 2025.

The Scouts from Troop 1107 B and G were the only Scouts who camped Friday into Saturday, braving the frigid 8°F, and were recognized for their feat.

In all, 203 Scouts and 85 volunteers participated in competitions for Scout skills and teamwork in a blanket of snow in near-freezing temperatures.

Troop 1107 Mammoths Patrol won third place in the sled race with a time of 22.58 seconds. This is the fourth Klondike Derby in a row in which the Scouts from Troop 1107 B participated. It is the first for Troop 1107G.

Additional accomplishments and activities Troop 1107 B and G did at the Klondike Derby:

Troop 1107B Mammoths built a fire to see who could burn the string in the fastest time.
Troop 1107G Jumping Frogs Patrol stands to watch over the hot water, getting ready to warm up with some hot chocolate and apple cider on Friday night.
Troop 1107G Jumping Frogs patrol created snowflakes out of staves and lashings.

Details and photos provided by Natalie Dreier, Troop 1107 B/G, Accotink Bay District – Vice Chair for Social Media 

Captions credited to Jim Dreier, Accotink Bay District Commissioner.

Building a Memorial for a Fallen Scout

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Yoi S-F. completed his Eagle Board of Review in January 2024, marking the end of an incredible chapter in his Scouting journey. For his Eagle Project, he set out on a goal to memorialize a fellow Scout: a bike rack and repair station at Winston Churchill High School. This project will stand as a lasting memorial to Jacob Cassell, who tragically passed away while biking down Old Georgetown Road at 17 on July 31st, 2019. From advocating for bike lanes at Montgomery County meetings in his early teens to creating a successful fundraiser, Yoi’s dedication to this cause is a testament to his unwavering citizenship and character!

Jacob Brian Cassell, who was born with autism, left an incredible mark on the special-needs community. His service extended beyond borders, from mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Honduras, to his active role in Boy Scout Troop 233. Jacob’s life was a testament to the power of determination and the impact one individual can have on the world.

As a Boy Scout, Jacob earned the rank of Life Scout and completed all of the requirements for Eagle except for his Eagle Scout project, which he had planned for September 2019. His family and his troop later completed his project.

Yoi’s mother showed him the article of a fellow Scout and Churchill student who had been in a tragic accident, and he realized he had also biked on Old Germantown Road with his dad on the same day. That moment is where the inspiration for his Eagle Scout project stemmed from, but Yoi wanted to do something before then. So, at 14 years old, he went to Montgomery County meetings and advocated for the bike lanes along OGR! While the state initiated this bike lane project independently, Yoi’s follow-through is an excellent example of citizenship and character.

Yoi further honored Jacob by dedicating his Eagle Scout project to building a Memorial bike rack and repair station at Winston Churchill High School, the high school they both attended. This would reflect Jacob’s love for riding his bike and the high school since Jacob was the mascot for the Winston Churchill Bulldogs, causing people not to love him because he was the Bulldog but love the Bulldog because he was Jacob Cassell. These reasons solidified Yoi’s decision to make the high school the perfect place for the memorial.

To start his Eagle Project, he went to former Principal Heckert to get approval for the project, but once she left, he had to get approval from Mr. Taylor, who was coincidentally the principal of Yoi’s middle school. After his approval, he was sent to the PTSA to discuss funding. After going back and forth between the PTSA and the school, Yoi created a GoFundMe for his project, reaching the proposed $7,500 goal within 48 hours and ending with $9,333 from over 120 donors. After another back and forth with the county about where the building site would be and waiting for the county to collect bids for the project, the finish line was finally in sight for Yoi.

Yoi found a contractor and vendor for all the materials needed for the project. The contractor poured in the concrete slab necessary to install the bike racks and repair station on October 9th, with the actual bike racks and repair station installed by October 26th. On October 28th, 2023, the repair station was painted purple, Jacob’s favorite color, marking the completion of Yoi’s Eagle Project.

Yoi donated the unspent money from his GoFundMe to the school, which paid for a memorial sign. As requested by Jacob’s father, Jacob’s bike is currently being fully restored and will be donated to a family in need so that someone else may enjoy cycling as much as Jacob did.

As Yoi stated in his GoFundMe, “Jacob Cassell was a shining member of our society. He spread his love and compassion to everyone he met. Jacob was a leader, a friend, and an inspiration to all. Above all, however, he was and forever will be our bulldog.”

Jacob’s legacy will always be remembered at Winston Churchill High School, and Yoi helped to solidify that with his project.

Citation:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/jacob-cassell-memorial-fundraiser
https://jakecassellfund.org/about-jake/
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/jconline/name/jacob-cassell-obituary?id=8980879
https://moco360.media/2020/03/08/remembering-jake/

The Washington Post Recognized an Eagle Scout Project in Virginia

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Brendan W., a Scout from Great Falls, VA, was recognized by The Washington Post for his Eagle Scout Project, which was themed around music, a subject he is very passionate about.

Brendan’s project involved collecting instruments, repairing them if necessary, and giving them to low-income youth. What was expected to be no more than 25 instruments quickly turned into over 100 instruments he collected and repaired!

Read the full article: The Washington Post