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The Scouter Digest Staff

Celebrating Our 500th Baloo the Builder Adventure!

November 1, 2023 by Dave Schneeman

On October 22nd, Bears from Pack 1139 completed their Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop. They learned about useful tools to have in their toolboxes and practiced using clamps, sanding blocks, hammers and nail punches. They made a golf tee game board as their “fun project” and after sanding, they applied a clear polyurethane finish. Finally, as their “useful project”, each Bear made their own toolbox. It was a couple of hours very well spent and not only did these Bears learn a few things and have some fun but, they also earned the distinction of having among their Den the 500th Bear to complete the Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop!

The Baloo the Builder and Webelos Build It Workshops are two of the most popular activities in Michael’s Woodshop. These workshops are great, hands-on activities that are fun, learning experiences for the Cub Scouts. To learn more about these workshops and the many other shop activities available, or to reserve the shop for an activity, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. Start planning now to schedule an activity for your unit in the spring.

With continuing high demand for woodshop activities, we recently announced the expansion of the woodshop. To support the additional work space we need additional tooling and are seeking additional volunteers to join the Woodshop Team. There are roles available for experienced woodworkers, Woodwork Merit Badge Counselors, and both adult and youth assistants. For more information about becoming a volunteer or donating tools, please see our recent article Michael’s Woodshop is Expanding! or email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com for additional information.

 

                                                                                           

Filed Under: At Camp Tagged With: michaels woodshop

Troop 1577 Enjoys Chopped Cooking & Video Game Campout

October 31, 2023 by Carla Brown

Troop 1577 had a fantastic campout on October 28-29 at Lake Fairfax! It started with dropping off the Scouts at a location about 25 minutes away from camp, and they found their way back for Camping merit badge requirement 3.

Next the Scouts made scrumptious meals using only Dutch oven, foil or skewers for Cooking merit badge requirement 5d. At this Chopped cooking competition, the pre-announced ingredient was chicken and the surprise ingredient was apple. Patrols came prepared with a ingredients and a plan ready to pivot if needed. The meals were scored on taste, presentation, teamwork, cleanliness, use of ingredients and technical complexity.

Next the Scouts had a video game competition on a big screen set up in the forest! Scouts made monkey bread in a Dutch oven as a snack.

Thank you to all the Scouts and adults who helped make this event such a success!

Photos by Carla Brown & Bill Wacek

Filed Under: Scouting Programs

Patriot District Star Scout Earns 65 Merit Badges

October 26, 2023 by Scout Parent

Callum is a Star Scout from Troop 697 in the Patriot District. He has earned 65 out of the 138 Merit Badges. He first began his Scouting career as a Cub in the first grade. After reading his Scout Handbook cover to cover he became inspired to earn merit badges and advance in rank. When asked what he learned in pursuit of his badges Callum shared “I have learned countless things, like how to mount a stamp, how to use a tourniquet, how to operate a tractor, and how to write my own musical composition! I do find that some badges are more useful, like First Aid. If I’m hiking and I fall and there’s a bleeding wound, I know how to treat it. I learned in Sustainability how I can save money and protect the environment. In plumbing, I learned how to unclog pipes. During all the recent strikes, I learned about American Labor and Unions. I’m curious about everything!”

Not only did he work hard to earn these badges, but Callum decided to earn the rank of Star Scout. He completed his necessary service hours, became a patrol leader, and completed 6 of the 13 badges from the list required for Eagle Scouts.  Earning merit badges for First Aid, Swimming, Environmental Science, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Citizenship in Society, and Lifesaving. He is currently working on Cooking, Personal Management, and Family Life. Callum thought the Sustainability badge was the hardest to earn, he recalled “I had to implement ways to save on my family’s energy, water, heating, and transportation bills. Even though this one was super hard, It is still one of my favorite badges because I’m really interested in making the world a better place.” When asked what his favorite merit badge Callum explained” Space Exploration was my favorite because I got to build a model rocket and launch it into the sky. I got to design a lunar base and learn about Aerospace Engineers. I really want to become an Aerospace Engineer, especially after earning that badge.”

Callum is currently a Patrol leader and Webmaster for his Troop. He plans on earning many more badges and awards. Currently, Callum is working on the Ad Atari Dei Medal, Messengers of Peace( making 35 no-sew fleece blankets for a local homeless shelter), the Distinguished Conservation Service Award, and the NOVA awards. He plans on using what he learned earning these awards/badges and has his eye set on becoming an Eagle Scout.

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Potomac District Welcomes 11 New Eagle Scouts

October 25, 2023 by Stanley Kwok

The October 2023 NCAC Potomac District Monthly Eagle Board of Review for 11 Scouts was held last night.
Congratulations to all the new 🦅 Eagles Scouts and their proud families! Special thanks to all the Scouters, the EBOR Chairs and those who assisted these 11 Scouts on their journey to reach the 🦅 Eagles rank!
Last but not least the Potomac District cannot put this monthly event without the leadership and time devoted by Larry McNiece, Potomac District Eagle Chair!
The new Eagle Scouts and his/her proud family might find the following websites useful.
http://usscouts.org/eagle/eaglecongrats.asp

Here’s an Eagle Scout congratulatory letter request template to use or adapt

The Association of Top Achiever Scouts (ATAS) is a worldwide Scouting fellowship group, of Scouts and Scouters who have achieved the highest rank as a youth in their Scout associations such as King’s Scout, Queen’s Scout, President’s Scout, Fuji Scout, Tiger Scout, Eagle Scout, Summit, Quartermaster.
https://www.atasapr.org
。。。

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week

Scout Restores Ravine in Potomac Overlook Park

October 17, 2023 by Carter Kunz

My name is Carter Kunz, and I am a Life Scout in Troop 111 in Arlington, VA. For my Eagle and Distinguished Conservation Service Award projects, I decided to do a ravine restoration project in Potomac Overlook Park in Arlington, Virginia. The purpose of the project was to slow the erosion in the ravine in order to reduce runoff into the nearby creek and to protect the large hardwood trees bordering the ravine as well as the hiking trail at the bottom of the ravine.

For my project, scouts from my troop and community members placed 22 weirs/water dams in the ravine using lumber and logs. We then placed gravel on either side of the weirs. These weirs, along with the gravel, will slow the flow of water through the ravine, causing better water absorption into the ground, and reducing erosion that is now making the ravine bigger and endangering the trees alongside it. Over time, dirt will build up behind each weir (on the uphill side), which will further slow the flow of water down the ravine and reduce erosion. Also, leaves and small sticks will also build up on the uphill side of the weirs, trapping more soil and aiding in water percolation. The slowed flow of the water will also help maintain the stability trail below the ravine, compared to if the water came shooting out of the ravine. Finally, we covered the weirs with branches to ensure park visitors do not try to hike in the ravine and to help slow the flow of water and catch leaves and debris which will help fill in the ravine over time.

My project is designed to address soil and water conservation. The water rushing down the ravine causes the soil to erode and become unstable, which leads to exposed roots of trees and trees falling over. There are a number of large, beautiful trees along the ravine that are worth trying to save. The soil also washes into a stream that goes straight to the Potomac River. The sediment being washed into the river can impact the health of aquatic organisms such as fish and turtles by destroying spawning grounds and can smother aquatic plants used as food sources and habitats.

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week

Elected Stafford County Community Leader Talks about Leadership with Cub Scouts!

October 6, 2023 by Mike Haas

On the evening of September 26, 2023, Cub Scout Pack 197 welcomed a special guest speaker, Mr. Tom Coen, an elected leader from the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. 10 Cub Scouts from Pack 197 sat down with Mr. Coen to discuss his leadership journey, as part of their development as future leaders in our community and nation – one of the core goals for all youth in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program. This event was held at the Ferry Farm Baptist Church and was coordinated, by the adult Scout leaders of the Pack, to help fulfill the Scouts’ advancement requirements for their Wolf Adventure Council Fire “Duty to Country” and Arrow of Light Adventure “Building a Better World.” Also attending this event were 5 Adult Scouter leaders and 4 Scout Parents.

Pack 197 Scout leaders combined the Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Dens to talk with Mr. Coen about why he chose to run for public office and about his leadership role as a member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Coen discussed with the Scouts how members of the Board of Supervisors work together to make decisions about improving the roads, schools, businesses and utilities in Stafford County and how they develop a budget every year to responsibly use taxpayers’ money to pay for all these projects. In addition to his service on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, Mr. Coen is also a professional educator.

The Scouts were given an opportunity to ask Mr. Coen questions – Tommy, a member of the Wolf Den, asked if there was a plan to fix the levels of lead and bacteria in the water of Hartwood Elementary School (where he is a 2nd grade student). Mr. Coen let Tommy and the other Scouts know that the Board is exploring different ideas and diligently working on finding a solution to fix the problems with the water at Hartwood Elementary School.

Other questions the Scouts had for Mr. Coen included subjects like: What is your most important responsibility? Why did you want to be on the Board of Supervisors? What are our biggest problems in Stafford County? 

Time for your family to explore such challenges and have fun adventures too? To join BSA, please go to www.beascout.org to find a BSA Scout unit near you – Cub Scouting serves families with children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade; Scouts BSA serves families with children ages 11-18. There are BSA programs for families with older Youths, ages 14 – 20, including Venturing, Exploring or Sea Scouting.

The mission of the BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Aquia District includes Stafford County and Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information on Scouting in Stafford/Fredericksburg area, including how to donate, join or volunteer, contact Kristy Freeman, Aquia District Executive, at Kristy.Freeman@Scouting.org or (540)287-3866.

Filed Under: Scouting Programs

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