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The Scouter Digest Staff

The Ultimate Summer Job

August 22, 2025 by Joey Davis

What does being staff at Goshen mean?

As we wrap up the season, we decided to ask a few staff members about their experience with Goshen Scout Reservation, why they came to work here, and what it means to them!

Two of the people we interviewed joined staff by chance! Dan Leichtling and John Ferguson, Lenhok’sin High Adventure Camp Director and Trek Director, respectively, both joined because of a choice they made to take the plunge into camp staff. Dan got his start here at GSR at Camp PMI after his Scoutmaster asked if anyone would be interested in working at Goshen for the summer, and John got his start with us after he was asked by a staff member at Lenhok’sin if he would be interested in helping them finish up their season when he was here as a Den Chief at Camp Ross.

For everyone else, family was their reason for coming. For those of you who attended Camp Bowman this year, you may have met Cassidy, our Bowman Brigade Director. This is her first year at Camp Bowman, and she joined for a simple reason: her brother! She said that “[h]e’s the Range and Target Activities Director, he’s worked here for many years, and he’s always loved it so much.” Thomas, Camp Bowman’s Program Director, told us that he joined camp staff because his brother, Henry (Camp Bowman’s Camp Director) and him had come here since they were kids, and they wanted to spend more time together in a place that means a lot to them.

Everyone at Goshen has a different thing they love most about the place and working here; for Dan, it’s getting to see Scouts grow over the course of their trek and staff members grow and develop over the years. As Dan says, “You can see little saplings rise up into trees, and you can see the same thing in the staff.” A common theme among the staff we interviewed was the community you create while working at Goshen. Cassidy and John all talked about how much they loved creating new friendships and bonds with their fellow staff members both in their camps and across the Reservation over the summer, and how that community can last even outside of camp.

The staff enjoyed creating those memorable experiences for Scouts during their week of summer camp. Thomas discussed how much he loved helping plan and create new experiences for Scouts like those that he and his brother had when they were campers at GSR. John also mentioned that the relationships you build with Scouts and their leaders are ones that he appreciates forming, especially as they work to trek across the reservation.

While Goshen is an incredible place to meet new people and try new things, it is also a great place to learn new skills that you can use outside of the Reservation, and not just the things you might expect! All of our staff have learned something at Goshen and have learned or honed some skills they use at their jobs the rest of the year. As a teacher, Thomas values the opportunity he gets to focus on logistics and planning, and he’s also learned how to use a support network and when to ask for help. Dan has learned plenty in his years at Goshen, including first aid, lifeguarding, food safety, and more, but he notes that perhaps most importantly, he’s learned how to listen. Dan uses a variety of things he’s learned here in his regular job: how to talk to people, how to help people in a crisis, and how to read the room, and pick up on subtle cues that others may not say out loud.

John talked about how he’s learned at camp to recognize his limits and when to take a break, as he can overwork himself without realizing. He’s also worked on being able to work with people with differing abilities, and adapting to their needs. Cassidy, much like Thomas, has learned a lot about planning and logistical skills, and uses them constantly the rest of the year.

Finally, we wrapped up by asking the staff what advice they would give to someone interested in joining us here at Goshen. Everyone gave pretty much the same answer: take the chance and do it! Most highlighted that, while working at camp can be difficult and present new challenges you may not find at other summer jobs, it is extremely rewarding, and John noted how working at Goshen is an incredible opportunity to meet new people. Thomas offered some additional advice, and that’s to brush up on those skills you may end up using here, like cooking or knots.

Whether you’re working at Lenhok’sin, Marriott, Bowman, Ross, Olmsted, or even Camp Post, everyone on staff knows that working together and helping one another out is the way to have a fun, safe, and memorable summer. If you’re interested in joining staff here at Goshen and seeing what it’s all about, check out www.gotogoshen.org/staff for more information

Filed Under: At Camp

Troop 601B Had a Craving for Caving with Lenhok’sin High Adventure!

July 25, 2025 by Joey Davis

On Day 2 of Troop 601 B’s trek with Lenhok’sin High Adventure, Scouts and their leaders got to explore Crossroads Cave!

The cave, which has over 4 miles of surveyed passage, is regarded as one that is great for beginning spelunkers while still being engaging.

After a short drive out to Bath County from Baird Base Camp, the crew geared up with durable clothes, helmets, gloves, and headlamps, and began their descent. They prepared beforehand and learned the importance of maintaining three points of contact at all times and to call out loose rocks or other possible hazards, and most importantly, they reviewed both inside and outside the cave the importance of leaving no trace in the cave.

As Dan Leichtling, the Lenhok’sin Camp Director and the guide for the adventure, noted to the crew, the cave itself is a very static environment, and not much can change down there without human involvement. Once the crew had gotten their fill of the spacious first room, the crew moved to “The Crossroads,” a smaller room that branches off into other rooms in the cave, but the route they followed was one that looped back into the first room!

After a small break in the main room where the Scouts got to explore a small passage, the crew made their way deeper into the cave, getting to a slightly smaller but still spacious room where the crew took a seat and got to experience total cave darkness. After a fun demonstration showing how breaking mints in your mouth can lead to some visible sparks in the darkness, once the lights came back on the Scouts and some leaders successfully crawled through the “Mole Hole,” a rather narrow passage that they had to lay flat on the ground and maneuver through. The crew also took some time to see the Fossil Room, a small room with a wall covered in old fossils from when the cave was underwater. Below the room is a visible drop into “The Maze,” a large system of passages in the cave that wasn’t explored by the crew this time around.

Once that was explored, the crew decided to head back to the main area to wrap up, but not before stopping by the Five Foot Ledge, the only way in and out of The Maze.

After another crawl through of a small passageway, the crew found itself back in the main room, where they began our ascent back to the surface! The Scouts and leaders had a choice of entering the way they came in or going up a similar but slightly more challenging way back up. Once they got back to the surface and were hit by the strong temperature difference (it was about 50 degrees in the cave and almost 90 outside it!), the crew headed back to Baird Base Camp to clean up and prepare for dinner.

While still challenging for everyone, the cave proved to be an amazing time, and added another level of adventure and challenge for the Scouts as they work on their trek this week!

Filed Under: At Camp

Young Eagle Builds a Gaga Ball Pit for His School

July 21, 2025 by Caleb Schweitzer

 

Congratulations to Caleb S. for completing his Eagle Scout Project!

Caleb earned his eagle scout rank at age 11, and for his Eagle Project he decided to build a Gaga ball pit for his school, The Academy of Christian Education (ACE). When asking Caleb why he chose this as his project, his response was “I made a Gaga ball pit for my school because it didn’t have one and one of my troops’ favorite activities is playing Gaga ball on campouts.”

As an active scout, Caleb was both Senior Patrol Leader and chaplain’s aid for Troop 157. He also participated in pancake breakfast for Shrove Thursday and attended an Honor Flight at Dulles with his troop. Caleb is also involved in acting, soccer, basketball and swimming.

 

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week

Eagle Scout Project enhances George C. Marshall High School’s culinary program

June 26, 2025 by MICHAEL SHEN

Maria with the spiral garden she created as part of her Eagle Scout project.Congratulations to Maria S. for completing her Eagle Scout project.

Maria’s Eagle Scout Project was completed at George C. Marshall High School and was centered on the construction of a spiral herb garden to support the school’s culinary program. In addition, the school’s courtyard received a much-needed enhancement through the weeding of existing garden beds and the restoration of surrounding open space.

Sincere thanks to Fairfax County Public Schools, the dedicated volunteers of George C. Marshall High School (project sponsor), and Troop 1533 – Fairfax, VA (host troop) for their invaluable support in making this project a success.

   

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week, Featured Tagged With: eagle scout project, fairfax county public schools, gardening, spiral garden

Paws-itively Helpful: Loudoun Scouts Come to the Rescue at Local Animal Shelter

June 23, 2025 by Archie Johnson

When the mulch piled up, Scouts from Loudoun District were ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work—no bones about it!

Recently, the Loudoun County Animal Services facility found itself in a bind. Three large outdoor dog play areas—used daily for everything from socialization to enrichment—were scheduled for fresh mulch to help keep the pups happy and healthy. The mulch was delivered, but the volunteers originally lined up—high school seniors finishing their Capstone programs—had already wrapped up for the year.

Enter Life Scout Calvin J. of Troop 1907. While dropping off his own Eagle Scout project at the shelter, Calvin heard about the impending mulch mountain and gap in manpower. Without missing a beat, he stepped up, organized a SignUpGenius, and rallied fellow Scouts from Troops 1907, 1158G, and 996 to lend a hand.

On a hot and muggy Virginia morning (85°F with 1000% humidity!), Scouts grabbed shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows and got to work. With teamwork and determination, they spread over 3,000 pounds of mulch across the three dog play areas—transforming them into safer, more comfortable spaces for the shelter’s canine companions.

Despite the heat, the Scouts kept spirits high, stayed hydrated, and even managed to have some fun along the way. Whether raking mulch or racing wheelbarrows, they proved that the Scouting Spirit is high in Loudoun District!

A big thank-you goes out to Calvin J. for taking initiative and to the Scouts and leaders from Troops 1907, 1158G, and 996 who showed that when animals need help, Loudoun Scouts are always ready to “dig in!”

For more LCAS Volunteering Opportunities please contact Amelia Monroe @ 571.233.1962

#ScoutingAmerica #ScoutingLoudoun #ServiceWithASmile #ScoutOn

Filed Under: Cover Stories, Featured

Pack 403 Marches to Remember

May 28, 2025 by Amy Posey

Bowie Cub Scout Pack 403 and family members marched for the 4th straight year in the Bowie Memorial Day Parade. This parade is to remember those that were lost in service to the country. 43 Scouts, most of which had never participated in a parade carried their Den flags in addition to the WEBELOS presenting the US and Pack Flag alongside the Pack banner.

Photo Credits: Vinicio Guzman and Jnell Suchy

Filed Under: Adventure

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