We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Mickey Nemier

Sea Scout Ship 1176 participates in International Jamboree-on-the-Water 2024!

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NCAC Sea Scout Ship 1176 took to the water for the first International Scouting Jamboree-on-the-Water with a day cruise on the historic tall ship Providence in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 14, 2024. They were joined by sister land Troop 1176, along with friends and Scouts from various other Units. Scouts worked with the Providence crew to hoist the sails and practice other sailing skills, such as coiling lines. Ship 1176 also took the opportunity to swear in two new Sea Scouts as ship members while on the water.

The Providence is the designated official flagship of the first international Jamboree-on-the-Water for 2024. It is a 12-gun, 110-foot-long sloop-of-war, which is a full-scale replica of the first ship authorized to serve in the Continental Navy and the first American command for John Paul Jones, father of the American Navy. The current Providence was built for the 1976 American Bicentennial and has been in various tall ship festivals, as well as movies, including two “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.

The original Providence was a merchant ship called Katy and owned by John Brown of Rhode Island, one of the brothers for whom Brown University was named. Katy and another vessel were the first two ships authorized by the Continental Congress to start the American Continental Fleet during the Revolutionary War. Katy was on a secret mission for General George Washington at the time, searching for gunpowder in Bermuda. After returning from its mission, Katy was renamed Providence and officially commissioned to become one of the first and most renowned ships of the Revolutionary War. The Providence is harbored in Alexandria as part of the John Warner Maritime Museum. Plans are underway for expanding Scout programs with the Providence.

Jamboree-on-the-Water (JOTW) is a “join-in” Jamboree where Scouts all over the world can join in and organize an activity on the water, at the same time, wherever they are in the world and share their experience online. Scouts can sail the ocean or a lake, go on a motorboat, canoe, or kayak outing, or visit a local pond, lake, pool, or beach and undertake any water activity involving ships, boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, or swimming (even underwater SCUBA diving). Scouts can also do an educational project or pursue a water-centered Merit Badge.

 

Receive a free Jamboree-on-the-Water PARTICIPATION Certificate

Order JOTW Patches

More information about Jamboree-on-the-Water here

Scout from Troop 451 Participates in Inaugural Zia Trek at Philmont!

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From June 29th through July 7th, Derek S, a Scout from Troop 451, and his Scoutmaster, Patrick Van Hooser, participated in the inaugural Zia Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch.

This trek was designed for Scouts with special needs and disabilities to complete a traditional trek with the support of a caretaker or “shadow.” While most Scouts had a parent, Derek had his Scoutmaster as his “shadow.”

A space was even created in the National Scouting Museum, which included their trek and council service patches for each Scout who participated, with this drawer having an NCAC patch included.

 

There was also an article written about this inaugural trek experience in the Philmont News magazine!

Olympic Dream Comes True for NCAC Eagle Scout

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UPDATE: On August 3, 2024, NCAC Eagle Scout Christian Tabash and the U.S. Men’s Eight Rowing took the Bronze medal at the Paris Olympics!

We are excited to cheer on Christian Tabash in Men’s Eight Rowing, who earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the National Capital Area Council! Christian was a member of Troop 976 in Alexandria, Virginia. He is one of 13 Eagle Scouts competing on Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Daniel Glass, one of his Scoutmasters on his journey to Eagle, tells us, “Christian was a highly disciplined athlete all through high school at Gonzaga and showed everyone that you CAN balance sports and scouting.  He also rowed for Harvard.”

Aaron on Scouting reports, “He continued to develop his skills in college. At Harvard, he showed remarkable improvement each year, with the only hiccup being a season that was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a graduate student at the University of California, he developed his skills even further, eventually qualifying for his first Olympic Games.”

On Monday, July 29, Team USA earn 1st in Heat 1, so Tune in on Saturday, August 3, to watch Christian and his team compete in the Mens Eight Rowing Finals!

Learn more from the article on Aaron on Scouting.

Check out his segment on Scouting Magazine’s YouTube video about the 13 Eagles.

 

Scouting CARES goes to Day Camp!

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Excitement filled the air as five eager Scouting CARES (Character, Achievement, Respect, Education, and STEM) students from St. Francis Xavier embarked on a thrilling day at Patuxent Day Camp in Bowie, MD. Their excitement grew even further on the car ride there, ready to dive into a day of outdoor fun and learning.

When they arrived, the Scouts were given the honor of leading the flag-raising ceremony and watched as the flag unfurled against the blue sky.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. The Scouts took center stage for the daily weather report, channeling their inner TV presenters as they shared the forecast with fellow campers.

However, the real showstopper of the day was the fishing expedition as five enthusiastic kids learning the art of casting. The looks of concentration on their faces as they attempted to perfect their technique were priceless. While the fish seemed to be on vacation that day, the sheer joy of being lakeside was infectious. The students’ laughter echoed across the water as they celebrated each other’s fish, or no fish, attempts.                                                                                           

As their day of adventure comes to an end, the tired but happy campers start their journey back to school. The ride home was peaceful, with drooping eyelids and content smiles telling the tale of a day well spent in the outdoors.

This amazing day at Patuxent Day Camp wasn’t just about fun and games – it was about building confidence, fostering teamwork, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Scouting C.A.R.E.S Closed Out the Year with a Tent Pitching Event!

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On June 3rd, the field at Suitland Elementary School transformed into a bustling campground as the Scouting C.A.R.E.S students embarked on an exciting outdoor activity. The air was filled with laughter, enthusiasm, and the rustle of nylon as young explorers gathered for their tent-pitching day!

Students learned all about outdoor living, learning the ins and outs of various tent types. From cozy two-person shelters perfect for dynamic duos to spacious four-person ones for family outings, the students got hands-on experience with a wide range of camping accommodations. Instructors guided the children through each step of the tent-pitching process, revealing the secrets of poles, stakes, and rain flies. Eventually, the students transformed the assortment of materials into a temporary home.

Once the tents were up, it was time to explore. Students crawled inside, sprawled out on the tent floors, and let their imaginations run wild.

This hands-on experience provided more than just practical skills – it sparked a sense of adventure and appreciation for the great outdoors. As they worked together to solve problems and create shelter, the students learned valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of accomplishing something with their own two hands.

As the day drew to a close, it was clear that this tent-pitching adventure had been the perfect sendoff for summer vacation. With new skills under their belts and a taste for outdoor exploration, these young campers are ready to embrace a summer full of fun and discovery.

Who knows? The next family camping trip might just have a new expert tent-pitcher in charge!

 

This Scout’s Concern for his Grandmother Saved her Life!

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The Medal of Merit may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a rare or exceptional act of service that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others. At the National Capital Area Council Court of Honor held on June 2, 2024, Thomas (TJ) D. was awarded the Medal of Merit as the youth member.

For several days Thomas (TJ) had been going to his grandmother’s house to help her when she had been not feeling well. On the fourth day, TJ went over a bit later than normal and found her on the ground. TJ asked her how long she had been on the floor, and she told him that she had fallen around 7 or 8 a.m. It was after 5 p.m. TJ called parents to help. As his mother called 911, TJ and his father got his grandmother in a sitting position, but she continued to get worse. An ambulance took her to the hospital, where it was found she was extremely septic and had little kidney function due to a kidney stone blockage. A week to the day after her fall, she was home, but if TJ hadn’t helped her, she probably would not have survived.