We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

The Scouter Digest Staff

Pack 493 Visits USCG Cutter 37

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The Scouts of Pack 493 in Rockville, MD traveled to Baltimore to board the USCG Cutter 37. The Scouts learned about the history of USCG Cutter 37 including its crucial role in the Attack on Pearl Harbor. During a team-building exercise, the Scouts had to use teamwork, quick thinking, and ingenuity to figure out to stop a leak on ship in just 5 minutes! This outing was a stretch goal from our Scouts’ popcorn fundraiser in the fall as they exceeded their fundraising goal! Way to go, Scouts! #weownadventure #poweredbypopcorn

Photo Credits: Jack Kwait-Blank, Alicia Kwait-Blank

 

Scouts Pursue Merit Badges Learning About Local Government

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A dozen Scouts from Troop 58 of Ashburn went wild with civic engagement when they attended a public meeting of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on February 15, 2023. The Scouts were courteous and obedient, of course, but the topic of the evening was a proposed ordinance to limit the private ownership of certain wild, exotic and venomous animals, such as kangaroos, baboons, and vipers in the county.

The Scouts ranging in age from 12 to 17, from Scout to Life rank, were each working on requirements for the Citizenship in the Community and/or Communication Merit Badges. Before the meeting began, Chair Phyllis Randall asked the Scouts to introduce the Troop to the Board, after which she and Broad Run Supervisor Sylvia Glass gave the Scouts a tour of the Boardroom, including the dais. Senior Patrol Leader Connor Q. was invited to test out the gavel.

The Scouts had the opportunity to read about the proposed ordinance before the meeting, including issues encountered by first responders and delivery workers with potentially dangerous animals at residents’ homes. A story was shared of a recent enforcement officer visit to a property had multiple alligators, a caiman, Gaboon vipers and an 11-foot king cobra snake, which was reported on social media to be allowed to roam freely on the property. They learned that no effective anti-venom is readily available in the county, presenting a serious risk in the event of a bite.

The Scouts listened intently as the County Animal Services staff presented the issue, and constituents voiced their opinions and concerns related to the proposed ordinance. Two Scouts rose to address the Board of Supervisors, sharing their thoughts on the issue and directly participating in the process of local policymaking.

Even before they are old enough to vote, these Scouts are learning the importance of being informed and active citizens.

2023 Goshen Scouts BSA Program Guide Posted

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Merit Badge & Activity Sign Ups for at Goshen Scout Reservation’s Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted are coming up on March 30 at 12 noon. Get details on Merit Badges and other activities in the 2023 Scouts BSA Program & Prerequisites Guide. The Guide includes descriptions, recommendations for both new scouts and older scouts, any costs, and any prerequisites. Be sure to check out any updated prerequisites!

Get a copy of the Program & Prerequisites Guide along with your camp’s program schedule in your camp’s downloads section or at www.gotogoshen.org/forms

Getting ready to sign up for badges and activities? Be sure to check out our How to Guide blog post – updated for Summer 2023: www.gotogoshen.org/general/how-to-merit-badge-activity-sign-ups/

Attending Camp Ross? Sign ups will occur at camp. Trekking at Lenhok’sin High Adventure? Rather than activity sign ups, be sure to fill out your crew survey by May 6th, found here: www.gotogoshen.org/lenhoksin/#downloads

2023 Webelos Camp Theme: Sherlock Ross

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In case you missed it, Camp Ross at Goshen Scout Reservation’s theme for Summer 2023 is Sherlock Ross: The Case of the Disappearing Camps.

Join us this summer as we try to solve the greatest mystery of the century. Search through our program areas for any clue as to what happened. Could they be hidden in the rafters of Archery or BB’s? Perhaps in the woods of Nature or below the waves of Aquatics? Maybe a trap made with the skills of Scoutcraft and Handicraft will help us catch the criminal mastermind. Only way to know is to come look for yourself. Don’t Miss Out!

About Camp Ross

Camp Ross is Goshen’s dedicated camp for rising Webelos and Arrow of Light scouts. The six day and night adventure prepares your Webelos to be fully successful in Scouts BSA. The camp offers an array of Webelos and AOL Adventures interspersed with outdoor activity to help rising Webelos and rising AOLs become well-rounded.

Activities include Aquatics – swimming, boating, and the trampoline; Archery; BB’s; Handicraft – tie dye and other crafts, including a theme craft; Nature; Scoutcraft; and Quest with AOL specific programs.

Packs eat in a dining hall that serves hot and fresh meals every day. Campsites are equipped with picnic tables covered by a dining fly and canvas platform tents with two army style cots inside.

Webelos and AOL scouts attend Camp Ross as a pack with a minimum of 2 adult leaders and 1 leader for every 4 youth. The smallest group size is 1 youth and their parent/guardian.

Learn more about the program and sign up for an adventure-filled summer at www.gotogoshen.org/ross.

Camp Staff: Open Positions

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Just realized you want the best summer job? It’s not too late. Missed our January hiring event? No problem! We’re still scheduling phone and video interviews.

Camp Snyder and the camps of Goshen Scout Reservation are always looking for fun-loving, energetic, and hardworking individuals to be part of our Summer 2023 Camp Staff. The sooner you apply, the more likely you are to be able to apply for your first choice of job position!

Camp Snyder creates fun for Cub Scouts in both day camp settings and weekend overnight settings and, with expert volunteers, runs a one-week Merit Badge program for Scouts BSA.

Goshen Scout Reservation is made of up six camps. Camp Ross runs six weeks of camp purely for Webelos and AOLs. Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted serve Scouts BSA campers with Merit Badge program and other activities. The elite staff of Lenhok’sin High Adventure run outposts and treks for older Scouts BSA and Venturers. Camp Post serves the administrative needs of the Goshen camps.

We are still seeking candidates for the following positions:

    • COPE/Climbing Director, Aquatics Director, and other leadership positions at Camp Olmsted. Candidates must be 21 years and up.
    • Archery Director, Ecology Area Director, and other leadership positions at Camp Olmsted. Candidates must be 18 years and up.
    • River Trek Guide at Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Candidates are preferred 21 years and up.
    • Boat Driver and other leadership positions at Camp Bowman. Candidates must be 18 years and up.
    • Aquatics Director and other leadership positions at Camp Ross. Candidates must be 21 years and up.
    • BBs Director, Assistant Ranger, and other leadership positions at Camp Snyder. Seeking candidates 18 years and up as well as others.
    • Outpost Assistants at Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Candidates must be 16 years and up.
    • Instructors at Camp Olmsted. Candidates must be 15 years and up.
    • Counselors-in-Training at all camps. Candidates must be 14 years and up.

Employment dates are from June 17 to August 1, 2023 for most camps at Goshen Scout Reservation and June 17 to July 29, 2023 for Camp Snyder.

Get a full list of job openings, learn more, and find your summer job at Goshen Scout Reservation – www.gotogoshen.org/staff – or Camp Snyder – www.gotosnyder.org/work

Troop 58’s Northern Tier Okpik Adventure

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An adventurous crew of six scouts and two adults from Troop 58 in Ashburn, VA spent a year eagerly anticipating the troop’s first arctic adventure at the Northern Tier Okpik program in northern Minnesota. The word Okpik (ook’-pic), which means Snowy Owl in the Inuit language, identifies the Winter Camping program at Northern Tier that began over fifty years ago in 1971.

On the first day, the crew skied with sleds weighing up to 75 pounds holding their gear and made camp at Moose Lake. The adventurers then embarked on an 8-hour cross-country journey across Newfound Lake. Led by the highly skilled guide, Amos, the skiers braved slush fields and followed a wolf trail to reach Canada. Despite skiing the last miles in the dark, the group was rewarded with an incredible dinner prepared by Amos.

The following day, the group packed up camp and headed to Flash Lake, where they set up camp and participated in various outdoor activities. The day began with a 30-minute ice fishing demonstration and later the group had the opportunity to try their hand at Gaga ball in the snow. In the afternoon, the mushers brought over their sled dogs, allowing the group to go for a ride around a small island. The day was capped off with a star walk led by Amos, who shared old Indian folklore with the group.

Troop 58’s crew was the first one of the season to make it to prairie portage this winter. Amos said about the Virginia-based crew, “… for our base this was the first trip (to prairie portage) this winter and the kids reminded me that when you are part of a group of positive people working toward a shared goal no amount of slush or open water or skiing in the dark can stop you.” This trip was a true test of endurance and a celebration of the great outdoors, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all who participated.

Five of the seven crew members earned the coveted Triple Crown Award having completed three high adventure trips together over the course of the last two and a half years. Eric A. (Assistant Scoutmaster), Ben L., Chris C., Grant K., and Jack A. all earned the award by successfully completing a Philmont New Mexico trek in August 2021, Sea Base Virgin Islands sailing adventure in April 2022, and Northern Tier Opik Minnesota trek in January 2023.

Troop 58 is already preparing for their next high adventure trip back to Northern Tier for a summer 2023 portaging adventure to Atikokan, Ontario Canada!