by Andi Hannum
The new Exploring Post 3142, sponsored by the Marriott International Test Kitchen, is up and running. The Post held its first meeting on Wednesday, September 12. Our host was Mr. John Huppman, Chief Chef at the Marriott Test Kitchen in Bethesda. The first meeting was a meet-and-greet evening. Adult volunteer leaders were introduced. They are, John Huppman, Gary Silversmith, Pete Minderman, Michael Werling, Theresa Johnson, and Andi Hannum.
Activities for the evening included Mr. Huppman giving a tour of the newly renovated test kitchen. He then showed us the different kinds of knives and explained what their purpose was in the culinary arts industry. He also demonstrated proper carving and cutting techniques. Students then chopped up some vegetables that were to be used in the kitchen the next day. Those in attendance that evening enjoyed some refreshments and were excited about the upcoming events.
Upcoming topics and activities on the post’s agenda include: the Five Basic Cooking Techniques, Understanding “Sous Vide” Cooking Methods, Sustainable Seafood and Cooking Techniques, Understanding Nutrition and Healthy Easting, Environmental Impact of Cooking, two community service projects (Scouting for Food and cooking at a charity kitchen), visits to a farm or food vender, and a hotel visit. There will be a cook-off at the end of the year with the members cooking their favorite dish and serving it to the other members of the post.
There is still room for a couple of interested students. If you have any questions or are interested in joining Post 3142, please do not hesitate to contact Michael Werling at (703) 350-8628 or Michael.Werling@Scouting.org.
An exciting year is in store for Exploring Post 3142!
This summer 16 Scouts and 3 Scouters of Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!!”) experienced the North Carolina mountains in BSA’s Southern Region, Area 5, Daniel Boone Council. We were way back in the holler, about 15 miles from Asheville as the crow flies. The 8-hour drive from Stafford was well worth it for the variety of activities and the opportunity to visit Boonesboro Village for our older Scouts, not to mention the cooler, drier air of the mountains – getting out of the heat and humidity was, well, pretty cool! Not only did Scouts and Scouters alike learn to appreciate the refreshing frigid temperature of spring fed mountains streams, but several older Scouts also participated in the Boonesboro Village living history camp. There they honed skills essential to living in the 1770s such as hatchet throwing, black powder rifle shooting, blacksmithing and making their own clothes. Average temperatures were 20 degrees cooler than those of their lowland Scout brethren which made for very restful evenings – good sleepin’ weather. As an added bonus the Troop camped at the New River Trail State Park and toured the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower that manufactured lead shot (musket bullets) hundreds of years ago. Our Scouts found both locations so outstanding that they are in the rotation to be visited again.
Once each year, ten distinguished Sea Scouts from around the United States are invited by the US Coast Guard to spend a week sailing aboard the USCGC EAGLE.
The week paid off with at least one NCAC Sea Scout sending forward an application to the very prestigious and selective US Coast Guard Academy.
Evan Dykstra, 12, is a Scout with Troop 7227 on St. Croix, USVI. In July Evan joined an elite group of divers by earning his Junior Master Scuba Diver certification. Only 3% of scuba divers attain this level, the highest a recreational diver can earn.