We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

The Scouter Digest Staff

Western Shore District Day Camp

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The 2018 Cub Scout Day Camp at St Mary’s Fairgrounds kicked off Monday June 18th with over 220 Cub Scouts.  We worked through the first day kinks quickly and the Scouts had a terrific day of archery and BB guns, master chef competitions, Cub Scout wash, and much more.

Tuesday was Cub Scout Day Camp accreditation with a tour of the camp and review of all records. The St. Mary’s Fairgrounds Cub Scout Day Camp received 55/55 on the review, with zero deficiencies and exemplary comments.

The Coast Guard visited on Wednesday. The visit was  a real hit for all participants. The Scouts continued their round robin events and left camp with smiles and exciting stories to tell their family and friends.

As a conservation project, the Scouts participated in Milkweed for Monarchs by learning about the decline in the Monarch Butterfly population and planting milkweed seed to restore its habitat. The Elms Environmental Center spoke to the Scouts about invasive species and what can be done to prevent the destruction of native habitats. Our Leave No Trace Pilot Program continued as we integrated LNT practiced into the daily program this week.

Despite the rainy weather on our closing day of camp, families and Scouts enjoyed their time together as we said our good byes.

We had several new additions to Day Camp this year that were big hits! Before & After care makes it convenient for parents to drop off/pick up their Scouts closer to the hours they go to/from work. The Bobcat Boot Camp has new Scouts working on and on target to complete their badge before the close of camp. The Gaga Ball pit at Sports & Games was a highlight this year! The new improved Obstacle Course had kids coming back again and again (maybe because they get wet?)!

Some special thanks go to Kevin McCray who built our new Obstacle Course, putting in lots of hours and work so the kids would have this fun and engaging activity. Matthew Albright with help from his family,worked hard the Saturday before camp to build us a Gaga Ball pit.

Thank you to all the volunteers, parents, and key staff who planned and made Day Camp a success for all the Scouts and siblings who attended and enjoyed their week.

#smccubScoutcamp2018

Troop 128 Prepared To Help Others; A Scout Is Kind

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by John Dietrich, Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 128

In May, Troop 128’s Philmont crew conducted a 12-mile preparatory hike in Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls Park near Thurmont, MD. It was a tough day of hiking; occasional rain and a constant fog made the trails very slippery. After ten miles of hiking, as we descended from Cat Rock on the Old Misery Trail, we found a man and woman in trouble. Heidi, our new friend, was on the ground, and clearly in pain. She had slipped on the rocks and sprained her ankle.

The Scouts of Troop 128 were prepared to help. From first aid kits came bandages to bind the ankle. From Wilderness First Aid training came the advice to take ibuprofen. From one Scout’s multi-tool came a small saw to fashion a crutch to help her walk down the mountain.

Heidi tried to go down the Old Misery Trail. Unfortunately, her fall had occurred near the top of the mountain where the road was far below and about a mile away. Still worse, this trail features a steep grade, frequent switchbacks, and many boulders along the way. Heidi was able to go forty feet with her new crutch but travel proved too difficult. Again the Scouts volunteered to help.

Our crew had the phone number of the park ranger offices. Heidi’s friend contacted the ranger station and arranged for rangers to bring a basket up the trail. We helped Heidi remain warm by providing a dry Tyvek sheet to sit on, and encouraged her to stay hydrated and keep the ankle elevated. The Scouts redistributed crew gear so the older Scouts and adults could help carry Heidi when the rangers arrived.

A group of six rangers came up the trail an hour later. They provided further first aid and helped her into the basket. The rangers gladly accepted help carrying it as the footing was treacherous. Up over logs, and down ledges, the team passed the basket safely down the mountain. At every moment of the hour-long trip, at least one Scout carried the basket, fully contributing to help bring Heidi to safety.

By the end of the afternoon the tired crew arrived at the waiting Park Service vehicles. Heidi had only the most appreciative words for our Scouts. Likewise, the rangers recognized how much the boys had helped bring her safely out of the woods. The Scouts then reloaded their packs and finished their hike.

Even with her extremely injured ankle, Heidi would have made her way to safety without help from the unit eventually, but the Scouts of Troop 128 epitomized the image of the Boy Scouts of America by being prepared through training, equipment, and teamwork to help other people at all times in the rugged outdoors. I proudly call to your attention the following Scouts:

  • Chris “Cloud” Barre’, Eagle Scout
  • Ethan Carlisle, Life Scout
  • Luke Carlisle, Life Scout
  • Adam Dietrich, Eagle Scout
  • Joseph Massaro, Life Scout
  • John “Jack” Sears, Life Scout
  • Alexander Smithgall, Life Scout
  • Bart Barre’, Crew Advisor

Occoquan District Day Camp

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by Angela Roth, Camp Director

Occoquan District DAY CAMP was held at Leesylvania State park this past June. Over 118 Cub Scouts took on the theme of “Passport to Adventure” in our beautiful state park that sits on the Potomac River.

While Day Camp offers many traditional Scouting activities like Archery, sling shots and BB guns the boys also took part in Crafts, Woodworking, Nature Study, Field Games, STEM and Fishing stations. The program also offered a chance to walk across a rope bridge and learn all about knots from our district chairman, Mr. Peirce. These Cub Scouts had many opportunities to earn achievements and even shooting awards! Some exciting elements to camp this year were found at the STEM station. Scouts made “potato clocks” and cool magnetic SLIME! In addition, we had a special guest, Mrs. Fox, who taught the boys all about bag pipes and even played them for us. It was a great way to start off our week.

On our last day of camp, we held family fun day! Parents, siblings and other family members all attended camp with their Scouts. Everyone enjoyed crafts and field games together. Even though the annual firetruck spray visit got cancelled due to mechanical issues, the Scouts and their families played in the morning rain and no one left dry.

 

Thank you to all our volunteers and den walkers who made an incredible week of Scouting memories for these young Scouts. Our Program Director, Justin, is already working on next year’s theme, “Under the Sea!” We hope to have you all back for more Scouting adventures next June!

2018 Annual U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony

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The National Capital Area Council – Aquia District Boy Scouts annual Flag Retirement Ceremony is a tradition held every year on June 14th (National Flag Day) at Quantico National Cemetery.

Tim Spaulding VC Programs, Aquia District comments: ”A flag retirement ceremony is meant to honor the American flag, promote flag etiquette and reemphasize its importance and symbolism.

Our American flag is a symbol of our democracy and we just want to make sure that our communities understand the importance of not only honoring our American flag with proper retirement ceremony, but what it means, as well as the importance of the tradition”. Tim Spaulding added: “This is a tremendous honor for those who serve in uniform, for what they sacrifice to maintain our freedom, the flag represents that; it represents our service, our sacrifice, the freedoms that we have, the independence we enjoy and should never take for granted”.

This year Troop 317 of Stafford VA conducted the Color Guard Assembly complete with a bugler. Father Jay Morris – Aquia Episcopal Church Stafford Va. delivered the invocation.

Charles Bingay was our Guest Speaker.

All the World’s a Stage…and This Explorer Post Is Happy About That

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Tanea Johnson as Mary Wells, Edward Byrd as Marvin Gaye, Jasmine Prather as Tammi Terrell, and Khalid Alzouma as Smokey Robinson

Think all Exploring Posts need to be Police or Fire Posts? Think again! One of the most exciting Exploring Posts around centers on the performing arts.

Post 1711 in Potomac District is sponsored by The Finest Performance Foundation. They and Post 1710 have been serving Montgomery County youth since 2011. Their newest show “Heard It Through the Grapevine – Motown Moments Tribute” is written, choreographed, and directed by Rockville resident actor/producer, Kashi-Tara. The music is under the direction of talented pianist/musical director, Angela Walker. This presentation is produced by The Finest in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg.

This theatrical production marks the 6th show presented as part of the seasonal line-ups at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. Former productions include The Wiz, Black Nativity, A Change Gon’ Come (Life of Harriet Tubman), Stick Fly, and Dreamgirls. So be on the look out for more performances or to get more information on this Post please contact Post Advisor Karen Rawlins thefinestperf@aol.com.

Spring Camporee 2018: A Scout Skills Competition and Lots of Fun

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The Patriot District Spring Camporee was held at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA, on April 20-22, with more than 190 Scouts and Scouters gathering to share a weekend of camaraderie and fun. Once again the event was blessed with favorable weather. Saturday brought sunny skies and warm temperatures, and Sunday, although overcast, was free of any rain. Participating Patriot District Units included Troops 50, 114, 1131, 1344, 1346, 1412, 1524, 1535, and 1966. They were joined by Scouts from Troop 150 of the Colonial District, and a girls Webelos Den from Patriot District’s Pack 873. William Wallace, OA Chapter Chief, served as the Camporee Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). It was a great weekend of Scouting activity.

The theme for the camporee was Barbarians at the Gate: Scout Skills in Action. The main program involved a Patrol Skills Competition in which Scouts were challenged to demonstrate their proficiency in various fundamental Scout skills. The theme reflected a complex imagined scenario where a horde of barbarians had crash landed their boats on an island during a storm and required proficiency in numerous areas aligned with basic Scout skills to survive. In addition to traditional opening and closing ceremonies, religious services, and the Saturday evening campfire, other camporee activities included archery, air rifle marksmanship, dodge ball, and scaling the NCAC climbing wall.

A special dessert competition was also held following dinner on Saturday evening, and on Sunday morning Scouts conducted a special service project, planting about 300 tree seedlings at selected locations around Camp Snyder.