We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

The Scouter Digest Staff

2018 District Court of Honor Dinner

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emcee, Jeff Baker started us out with a special Wood Badge beading ceremony (his own) and kept the evening lively and moving well. It was a great opportunity to introduce Wood Badge to many novices in the audience. (Congratulations, Jeff!)

With the best turnout ever, 114 people signed up for the Awards Dinner. Kudos go to the hard work of Seneca’s Advancement and Adult Recognition Chair Thomas Kennedy who was able to acquire 68 nominations from the district units for the SOUSA awards (Seneca Outstanding Unit Scouter Award). This award is a unit level award that gives recognition to registered adult Scouters for their significant contributions to their respective units during the 2017 calendar year. It is a district award presented on behalf of units in the same way that the District Award of Merit is a council award presented by the district, and the Silver Beaver Award is a national award presented by the council.

This year’s Awards Dinner was held at the Washington-Rockville Elks Lodge #15 in Rockville. Their venue worked very well with our growing size and did an exceptional job with their buffet menu.

The Key 3 (District Chair, Matt Beyers; District Commissioner Gordon Henley; and District Executive, Carlos Salazar) each got their ‘minute’ and then announced their Key 3 Awardee, Philip Dennis for his outstanding work with Friends of Scouting and various other tasks within the district.

Also honored was a special guest, 2018 Silver Beaver recipient Catherine Phan. (Congratulations, Cathy!)

Along with the 68 SOUSA awards representing 19 Packs, 15 Troops, 1 Crew, and 1 Explorer Post, the district also awarded 4 District Award of Merits. Congratulations to All!!

Patuxent District Celebrates Women In Scouting

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The Patuxent District celebrated its first annual Women in Scouting Award Ceremony on June 3rd, at the Greenbelt American Legion. The honorees for the First Annual Women in Scouting Dinner are Danielle Ballantine, Alex, Keenan, and Gloria Ike. Each has contributed to the greater success of Scouting in the Patuxent District and exemplifies what female leadership and support has meant to the BSA and the Scouts within its programs. We also awarded Alison Mocko with the Rebekah Weir Award, which allows her to participate in Wood badge on scholarship. District Executive, Danielle Finley stated “each woman here has impacted my short time so far in Scouting. They are all selfless, dedicated, and incredible volunteers”. We would like to thank Parktopia Travels for their Program sponsorship and Janice Cornish from Pack 257 for chairing this event.

STEM Long Term Camp Challenge

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Troop 1853 from Old Dominion District has crafted a unique program to promote STEM amongst their troop. Their 2017 flyer is included, and was shared with us by Mr. John Selstrom and Mr. Bruce Donlin to give other troops an idea. Note: Mr. Donlin & Mr. Selstrom also co-teach the BSA STEM: Roadmap to Success class at University of Scouting and STEM University.

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT): Ready for a Challenge?

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NYLT is an exciting, action-packed program designed for youth to learn and practice the leadership skills that will help them succeed in Scouting and in life!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Scouts who have completed their unit’s introduction to leadership course, have been practicing these skills, and are ready for the next level of training should attend NYLT once they meet all Eligibility Requirements.

NYLT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Scouts must:
  • Complete their home Unit’s Introduction to Leadership Skills course*
  • Receive approval from your Scoutmaster or Unit leader
  • Be at least 14 years of age by course start date. We reserve limited space for 13-year-old participants on each course. All 13-year-old participants must contact the Course Director lbefore registering to see if slots still exist.
  • Earn First Class rank, if registered in a Troop
  • Have current BSA Health Form (Parts A, B, and C)
  • Be comfortable camping and cooking outdoors
  • Commit to attending the entire six-day course
  • * Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), Crews (ILSC), and Ships (ILSS) should be offered through a Scout’s home unit. Ask your Unit Leader how you can participate in this course.

WHAT NYLT IS (AND IS NOT)

NYLT is not like summer camp and is not designed for rank advancement or earning merit badges.  NYLT is an intense and challenging hands-on leadership training program.  It is essential that NYLT participants be physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared to handle the demands of this advanced training. In order to get the most benefit from this unique experience, participants must exhibit emotional maturity, a positive attitude, proficiency in basic camping and outdoor cooking, and have an ambition to serve in leadership roles.

For more information or to register for upcoming NYLT Training, please visit:
www.ncacbsa.org/nylt.

 

The Trainer’s EDGE

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The Fundamentals of Training/Trainer’s EDGE is for anyone interested in different training methods. It will equip you with ideas, techniques, and materials for improving presentations by enabling you to select approaches that will communicate your messages most successfully, and with PIZZAZZ!!

In Fundamentals of Training participants learn the tools of good training including characteristics of good trainers, how people learn and training methods. The Trainer’s EDGE emphasizes the importance of “experiential learning,” or learning by doing, as well as numerous other contemporary training strategies. These strategies can then be applied to a wide range of training programs.

WHAT DOES EDGE MEAN?

Explain how it is done – Tell them

Demonstrate the steps – Show them

Guide learners as they practice – Watch them do it

Enable them to succeed on their own – Use memory aids, practice it, they teach it

WHO SHOULD COME?

Anyone interested in improving their presentation skills should attend! This course is required for all trainers who train on the District and Council levels (including Wood Badge and NYLT staff).

The next course will take place on Saturday, August 25, 2018 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Potomac, MD. The  cost is $15 (Continental Breakfast and Full Lunch Included along with Training Materials).

For more information or to register, please visit www.ncacbsa.org/trainersedge or contact Danielle Ballantine at (301) 335-6012 or dmballantine@gmail.com.

Another Successful Camp Season

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The last week of June at the Isaack Walton League was filled with Scouts engaged in outdoor activity. Mattaponi Scouts experienced many things in their day camp including shooting BB guns, fishing, a visit from the FBI, things found in nature, and archery. This year Scouts were joined by the very first family Scouting Unit (Pack 8100). “It is extraordinary! I wish they did this years ago so my daughter could have joined,” one parent exclaimed looking at the ponytails of the newest Scouters shooting bb guns. “I loved doing stuff like this as a kid, so it’s really great to have both my daughter and son growing up together…it’s really about keeping my family together,” said another.

The weather the entire week was enjoyable and the camp director was perfectly on cue reminding everyone to “keep drinking your water; if you’re not using the restroom that means you are not getting enough water” to which the chorus of 90 children would laugh very hardy laughs! The last day of camp saw all 90 youth singing in unison, playing their instruments, accepting awards, and telling one another that they never want to leave! It truly is an amazing experience. See you all next year!