Scout BSA Troop 1345, sponsored by the Burke Centre Conservancy of Burke, VA, continues a twenty-year tradition of raising American flags along the Burke Centre Parkway in honor of Flag Day.
For nearly 40 years, Burke Centre Conservancy, a community of 5,800 homes in Fairfax County, has sponsored Scouts BSA Troop 1345 for boys; starting in 2019 they added Scouts BSA Troop 1345G for female members. For more than 20 years the Troop has helped the community show its pride by setting up 30 American flags in the median along Burke Centre Parkway between Burke Lake Road and Oak Leather Drive on every Flag Day and other federal holidays.
Without any fanfare or attention, the Scouts quietly set up the flags early in the morning for the community to enjoy through the day. As the day winds down, the Scouts return to quietly pack the flags away for future display. Through rain, snow, and even social distancing, the Scouts have added a little bit of patriotism to this part of Fairfax County throughout the years.
Troop 1345 will continue the tradition this Flag Day because it is a way for them to demonstrate good citizenship in their community. As Troop 1345G Scoutmaster Kate Mattice says, “It just brightens the community – and perhaps provides some normalcy – during these times.”
With social distance guidelines still intact, outdoor events such as “Flags Along the Parkway” create opportunities for Scouts to stay active in the community while abiding by local safety rules.
Scoutmasters and Scouts from Troop 1345 on Sunday, June 14, 2020, in the median along Burke Centre Parkway between Burke Lake Road and Oak Leather Drive Burke Centre Parkway between 8:30am and 9:00am participated in raising the flags. Scouts and Scoutmasters will return around 5:00pm to remove the flags for future display. Please join Troop 1345 and the city of Burke in their efforts to honor Flag Day by raising your American Flag today.
ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER? What are your plans for the 4th of July? We have some fun family activities planned all day for you and your Scouting family! A little exercise, cooking, crafts, advancement and fun all day!
FLAGS! Flags are FUN! Do you love flags? Most every rank has an activity or adventure involving a flag ceremony or learning about flags. (Cub Scouts, check out Wolf – Council Fire, Bear – Paws for Action, and Arrow of Light – Building a Better World. Scouts BSA check Scout, Tenderfoot, and Second Class.) Make a short video showing your own Fun Flag activity—special kudos if you do it while dressed as your favorite superhero or historical figure. Your videos will be featured on Facebook. So, get busy and show us your Scouting patriotism!!
FOOD! We are having a BAKE-OFF! At noon we will kick off our Scout Bake-off hosted by the NCAC Council Venturing Officers Association with a competition making Patriotic Pancakes.
FITNESS! Do you have what it takes to climb the Washington Monument? Try our exercise challenge!
FRIENDS! Let’s do a Good Turn for people who serve!
More FLAGS! Take our semaphore signaling challenge! Can you read messages sent with semaphore flags?
More FOOD! Homemade ice cream is a sweet treat on a summer day.
FIREWORKS! Have a blast on the 4th, and tell us about your day on Facebook and at weownadventure.com
Start working on your Fun Flag video. Send a link to your video to summer2020@ncacbsa.org by June 26 and start looking for pancake recipes.
What’s it all about? Inspired by decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after President Wilson’s proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.
Did you know a Boy Scout designed the current U.S. flag? In 1958, 17-year-old Boy Scout Bob Heft designed the current U.S. flag as part of a school project. Heft received a B- from his teacher, but President Eisenhower liked the design so much he chose it as the official flag two years later.
Having a home First Aid kit is super important. Today, you should build a first aid kit for home. Already got one? Then check on the supplies. With your parent, make sure you know how to use the materials in your kit.
With just a little science and a little shaking – You can make ice cream in a plastic bag! Let us know your favorite flavors and toppings in the comments.
All who wander are not lost… especially on Wander Around Wednesday
For today, take a walk around your home or neighborhood and see if you can identify six signs of animals. If you see a live animal, be sure to keep a respectful distance. You might find shed antlers, skins, tracks, or droppings – they all count!
Remember the Outdoor Code. Cub Scouts of every rank can complete at least one adventure requirement with this activity – Check your book for what you can do!
Lion: Mountain Lion #1
Tiger: My Tiger Jungle #1 & 2
Wolf: Paws on the Path – #5 & 6
Bears: Fur Feathers and Ferns #1
Webelos/AOL: Webelos Walkabout #1, 4, & 5
THURSDAY
It’s time to put your family first on Thoughtful Thursday
There are so many things to do to keep your family safe and healthy. For the next week, work with another family member to take over one of their chores. If you are a Webelos Scout, make sure you get credit for Project Family!
Meets the Webelos Project Family #4 requirement.
FRIDAY
Let’s explore your personal history on Family Fun Friday
Have Family Storytime. Ask a family adult or another relative to tell a story about your family history. Where did they come from and when did they move are great questions to ask.
Check the requirements for Webelos Project Family #1 or 2, and Tiger Family Stories #1
SATURDAY
It’s Safety Saturday…
The new Protect Yourself Adventure is a great way to learn how to keep yourself safe around strangers, on the internet, and whom you can talk with if something happens that makes you feel unsafe.
Welcome to the new Cub-A-Day Summer Program, where every day there’s an adventure waiting for you and your Cub Scout! For the next 12 weeks we will post new, fun and exciting Cub Scout activities in efforts to keep your Scouts engaged, active and learning. From crafts to exercise to cooking, your Cub Scout will advance in a variety of skills!
We invite all Lions, Tigers, Wolves, and Webelos to join us on this 7 week adventure! And remember if you have a friend interested in Scouting, they can join in on the fun too! For more information on Cub Scout activities and programs please visit ncacbsa.org/summer and be sure to join our new Cub Scout Group on Facebook! Check out our first week of adventurous activities below.
Wander Around Wednesday: Get outside – Exercise, Fresh Air, and Sunlight are important!!
If you get 60 mins of physical activity, five days a week, for six weeks in a row – You are eligible for the Scout Presidental Active Lifestyle Award – so start a ScoutStrong Tracker and keep it going: https://www.scouting.org/resources/scoutstrong/
DO SOMETHING THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY
Thoughtful Thursday: Make a Summer 2020 Memory Box. Collect trinkets and write notes about what you do all summer – Use a shoebox, a wooden box you build or buy, or any other container that you like. Decorate it how you want and start collecting memories.
Safety Saturday: The new Protect Yourself Adventure is a great way to learn how to keep yourself safe around strangers, on the internet, and who you can talk with if something happens that makes you feel unsafe. Pick a requirement from the Adventure for your rank and work on it as a family: https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/preview-adventures/protect-yourself-rules/
Scout BSA Troop 1345, sponsored by the Burke Centre Conservancy of Burke, VA, continues a twenty-year tradition of raising American flags along the Burke Centre Parkway in honor of Flag Day.
Association with a competition making Patriotic Pancakes.
Start working on your Fun Flag video. Send a link to your video to summer2020@ncacbsa.org by June 26 and start looking for pancake recipes.
WANDER AROUND WEDNESDAY
FAMILY FUN FRIDAY