The Scouter Digest Staff

Outdoor Ethics and Conservation Conference

December 5, 2022 by Paul Schimke

On November 10-12, I had the privilege to attend the 2022 BSA National Outdoor Ethics and Conservation Conference at Camp Bert Adams in Covington, GA. It was an awesome experience! Outdoor Ethics and conservation are at the core of Scouting’s outdoor program, and after attending this conference I can attest that our focus on them is making Scouting’s outdoor program stronger than ever.

There was so much to do, and so many people to talk to! Participants got to hear from and sit down to share a meal with national experts and resources. The Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers were there to share a lot of great ideas on how to help youth to build an outdoor ethic. Leave No Trace Director of Education and Training JD Tanner took us through Leave No Trace’s recent changes and their strategies for the next few years. The BSA National Outdoor Ethics and Conservation Committee teams shared what they’re working on and the support they can provide to councils.

But that wasn’t all! We learned about the new Distinguished Conservation Service Award for youth. This award replaces the former Hornaday Award, which was administered by BSA National. The new DCSA award is administered by council Conservation Committees, which will make the award more accessible to more youth. We were joined by the Green Crew, a new Venturing crew from Minneapolis. The Green Crew is a unique Venturing crew. They are a Venturing crew whose program is planning and conducting services projects for their chartering Izaak Walton League of America chapter. All their projects are advertised and open to the public to participate in. They’ve gotten a lot of national attention. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2022/11/09/the-secret-of-their-success-venturing-crew-focuses-solely-on-conservation/ Once again, it was great to hear from and sit down with these creative and passionate youth and their leaders.

In that great mix, I had the opportunity to share some of the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee’s successes. Often, we don’t appreciate what we have right here at home. Our NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee is viewed as one of, and perhaps the best in the country. I was asked to share the work we’ve done creating training for new Scouts BSA troop Outdoor Ethics Guides. I also led a workshop on how other councils can better market their own Outdoor Ethics offerings. It really felt great to be able to help other councils by sharing some of the work that so many people have done through the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee, particularly Sara Holtz and Victor Bieniek.

Just when most of us felt that our brains were starting to hurt from all the great ideas we’d picked up, our closing speaker was Professor Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware. His presentation on “Nature’s Best Hope” was a wonderful way to cap off the conference.

Your NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee is here to help you advance your unit’s program. Let us know how we can help!

Amangamek-Wipit Lodge Banquet – Registration is Open NOW!

December 5, 2022 by Brent Peate

The Banquet is Back!

The Amangamek-Wipit Lodge Annual Banquet is making its return on January 7, 2023. From 10:00AM – 12:00PM, join us at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center in the beautiful University of Maryland College Park Campus. We’ve got great food, limited edition patches and a specialty program two years in the making. Stop in and join us in fellowship and celebration of our Lodge’s 70 years of storied history. We’ll be recognizing the achievements of some outstanding Arrowmen and hearing about the opportunities available to our newest members.

Registration is available now! Move fast, it closes at the end of the year and the price increases after the next couple of weeks. Find it at at www.wipit470.org/banquet – we look forward to seeing you there!

STEM Scouts have a Blast in the Woodshop!

December 4, 2022 by NCAC STEM

Have you ever heard of BlastCars?

They have been around for years as Scouts BSA programs, and sometimes dubbed the “older kid Pinewood Derby Cars”. The real difference? Their dimensions are a bit larger and above all they are powered by a C02 cartridge! Today, middle STEM Scouts have a 4 meeting module, where they experiment with building and racing Blastcars! Youth discover what friction is and how it affects the performance of a car, and learn about propulsion, acceleration and deceleration, and rocket-powered vehicles.

Lab Manager Ms. Pekarik (of paired Elementary Lab 9941) assists a scout.

To do all this, the scouts need to build cars – many, and each with variables tweaked. Sure, they could build cars with hand-tools, but NCAC’s STEM Lab 991 was lucky enough to build their cars under the expertise of Michael’s Woodshop volunteers!

Visit to Michael’s Woodshop

Michael’s Woodshop is a volunteer run woodshop for scouts at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA. Over the last 5 years, Michael’s Woodshop has assisted 250+ Bears in completing Baloo the Builder, 50+ Woodwork Merit Badges, and 1000+ Pinewood Derby Cars!

On October 30, seven STEM Scouts from Lab 991 visited Michael’s Woodshop at Camp Snyder for a Blastcar Build Day! Mr. Dave Schneeman, Woodshop Steward, led the group through a safety briefing, followed by stations to cut the cars according to the scouts’ designs, and sand the cars for finer finish.

After 1000+ Pinewood Derby cars, Michael’s Woodshop has perfected a build process. The Blastcar build was only slightly different. Scouts had to ensure that designs do not intersect with the drilled holes for the Co2 cartridges. Additionally, while PWD cars’ starting gates release at the front of each car, Blastcars are lined up against the rear (where the cartridges are!)

The Woodshop machinery as well as Mr. Dave’s expertise made for an incredible experience. Sure, scouts could design blast cars with hand tools. In fact, 2 weeks before the scouts’ woodshop visit, they practiced using hand tools. This juxtaposition led to a greater appreciation of the Woodshop opportunity, and the professional cars they got to design!

Lab Manager Mr. Scheina hands out blastcar kits.

Lab Manager of STEM Lab 991, Jon Scheina shared, “Building the cars at the woodshop was awesome. Every Scout I asked said that this activity was the highlight of the module. In the future, any labs that are fortunate enough to have access to a professional woodshop should absolutely use it to build their cars–both for the experience and for the opportunity to build more precise, well-functioning cars.”

Join the Woodshop Team

All of the activities in Michael’s Woodshop are designed and supervised by a dedicated group of volunteers. There are volunteer roles available for experienced woodworkers, and both adult and youth assistants. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please see Join the Woodshop Team or email us for additional information.

For more information about the merit badge classes, shop capabilities, upcoming events or reserving the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. If you have questions or would like additional information, please email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

Important Thank Yous

Special thanks to:

Justin Youtz (T501) and Bruce Donlin (T1853) for sharing Blastcar kits (and tricks) with NCAC’s STEM Labs!
Dave Schneeman (Michael’s Woodshop Steward) for volunteering to lead the shop session
Jon Scheina, Mark Gray, Burt Wagner, Stacy Pekarik (Lab 991 Lab Manager and Associate Lab Leaders) for leading the inaugural Blastcars module!

2022 International Peace Light Ceremony – December 10 at 2pm

November 30, 2022 by Todd Christian

The NCAC International Committee invites all Scouts, Scouters, and their families and friends to receive the 2022 International Peace Light at the Marriot Scout Service Center on Saturday December 10 at 2 pm.

Candles will be available on site for your family to participate in the ceremony. If your family would like to take the flame home with you, a candle in a glass jar or a non-propane lantern can be brought. Scout uniforms and casual church attire are appropriate to wear.

Available for sale at the ceremony are patches commemorating the 2022 transfer of the flame. A limited number of $5 patches will be available on site, but more are available for sale online (https://www.peacelightnorthamerica.org/resources/merchandise, plus other Peace Light merchandise).

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE LIGHT

The Peace Light, symbolic of the Light of Christ especially evident at Christmas, is meant to promote peace, harmony and unity among all people of the world regardless of race, ethnicity or creed. Many churches, Scouting, and associated community organizations use the Peace Light in Advent worship services, parish tree lighting events, and other special ceremonies. Some groups even maintain the Peace Light year-round using the flame to ignite their Sanctuary Lights, Baptismal Candles, and Votive Lamps.

The Peace Light from Bethlehem campaign was originally organized in 1986 by the Austrian Broadcasting Company as part of a large charitable relief mission Light into Darkness, for children in need in Austria and abroad. Since 1986, and especially after the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe in 1989, there has been a growing cooperation between Scouts in many countries allowing the light to travel throughout 30 European nations.

Each year in late November, a child from Austria lights a lantern from the continuously burning candle in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the site of Jesus birth. The light, known as the Peace Light, stored in special explosion-proof lanterns, is then flown with a safety adviser back to Vienna, Austria, where it is shared with delegations from across Europe who distribute it with a message of Peace to their own countries for use at ecumenical services. Scouting organizations then take the light to houses of worship, hospitals, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and places of public, cultural and political importance – to anyone who appreciates the significance of the “gift”.

In early December, Austrian Airlines representatives transport the Peace Light from Austria to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. A distribution ceremony of about 150 adults and children gather at the airport’s Our Lady of the Skies Chapel to welcome the light of peace and kindle their own flames.

The light’s pilgrimage across the U.S. begins from New York City via volunteers, many of whom are Scouts and Scouters associated with the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA, transferring and sharing it in their communities. Many other dedicated volunteers meet, share, and move the Light across North America, person-to-person, coast-to-coast. The Peace Light is a sign of hope. It has expanded from a small flame to a sea of lights in a few years and shines with its message to millions of people worldwide.

For several decades, the Scouts around the world have actively promoted global peace and harmony through sharing the Peace Light.

The Peace Light is often used as a Messengers of Peace project. Administered by the World Scout Bureau, Messengers of Peace is a worldwide program aiming to inspire millions of Scouts to work toward peace. In order to earn the Messengers of Peace uniform ring to be worn around the world crest, Scouts must be actively involved in planning Peace Light activities and in sharing the flame in ways that are appropriate to the Scouts age and abilities. Cubs might welcome guests to a candlelight ceremony, hand out programs and candles, and/or be part of a procession bringing the Peace Light into the gathering. Older Scouts could help in planning and implementing the program, speak or lead a song during the ceremony, or perhaps create a display about the history of the Peace Light.

Learn more about the history of the Peace Light in the US here: https://www.peacelightnorthamerica.org/about/history.

If you have additional questions, would like to be added to the email list or other related interests, please contact Anthony Malone at travitaly4@gmail.com. If you would like to join the NCAC International Committee, please contact Jay Eidson at ir.ncac.je@gmail.com.

NYLT Summer Registration Opens December 10th @ 10AM!

November 27, 2022 by Melanie Anthony

Scouts ready to attend National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) are encouraged to sign up early. Recent courses have filled quickly. Registering as soon as the site opens could ensure a slot on the course of your choice.

2023 Course Schedule:
23-2: June 18 – 23
23-3: June 25 – 30
23-4: July 23 – 28 *
23-5: July 23 – 28 *
* courses running concurrently

Download the 2023 Flyer at:
https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/wyHWcTYJ3C7h1DVWRtxA42Gn

WHAT IS NYLT?
National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting 6-day program designed for youth to learn leadership skills that will help them succeed in Scouting and in life! NYLT brings together Scouts from all over the council to learn and practice leadership techniques in a risk free, Scout-friendly environment.

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.

FAQ
Q. How quickly will slots fill?
A. While we are never sure, last summer’s courses filled very quickly and Winter course filled in a matter of hours. We have increased the number of participant slots to try and give as many Scouts the opportunity to attend NYLT as possible. We strongly recommend registering early to lock in your slot.

Q. What will your masking, distancing and other covid policies be this summer?
A. We will follow the covid protocols NCAC has in place for Council programs.

250th Bear Completes Baloo the Builder Adventure

November 18, 2022 by David Schneeman

On November 5th, Bears from Pack 1160 completed their Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop. They learned about useful tools to have in their boxes and practiced using a number of tools including 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 very own tool box. It was a couple of hours very well spent and not only did these Bears learn a few things and have some fun, they also earned the distinction of having among their Den the 250th Bear to complete the Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop!

Since introducing the Baloo the Builder and Webelos Build It Workshops, they have quickly become two of the most popular activities in the shop. These workshops are both 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, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. Start planning now to schedule an activity for your unit in the spring.

All of the activities in Michael’s Woodshop are designed and supervised by a dedicated group of volunteers. With the high demand for woodshop activities, we 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, please see Join the Woodshop Team or email us for additional information.