• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
We Own Adventure

We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

  • Home
  • Newsletters
  • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Sport Adventures
  • Submit Your News
  • Be an Influencer!
  • Scouting America National Capital Area Council Main website

The Scouter Digest Staff

Eagle Scout Project for Sterling Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squads

October 1, 2024 by Sonny Advincula

For his Eagle Scout project, Eric A. and his fellow Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 572 worked to revitalize the outdoor patio/firepit area behind the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, Station 618 in Sterling, VA.

Under Eric’s leadership, the Scouts first cleared the area of debris and overgrown vegetation. They then dug up the area to place down the new underlayment, installed edging and spread the gravel. New benches and Adirondack chairs were built, stained, and weatherproofed for seating. Solar accent lighting was also added for evening use.

The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company and Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad were very appreciative of the support and hard work of Eric and his dedicated team of Scouts. The newly restored area will provide a space for the volunteers to congregate, rest, and recharge for years to come.

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week

Watch Troop 1396 Conquers Wind River Range in Wyoming 2024

October 1, 2024 by John Malich

Experience Troop 1396’s summer trek in Wyoming adventure by watching their epic video compilation, Troop 1396 Conquers Wind River Range in Wyoming 2024! Relive the thrilling moments with our Troop and Crew as they explored the great outdoors.

During the last week of June 2024, as the National Capital Region sweltered in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, a contingent of 19 Scouts and Scouters from across Northern Virginia embarked on a high adventure trek sponsored by the NCAC High Adventure Committee. This group included 10 members of Troop 1396, comprised of both male and female Scouts and adult leaders.

The adventure began with travel to Wyoming, where the crew started their journey at Yellowstone National Park. They marveled at Old Faithful and encountered wildlife such as bison, mule deer, and other small mammals. Following this, they drove south to Grand Teton National Park and undertook an acclimation hike to Taggert Lake, a seven-mile trek rising from 6,000 to 7,500 feet. They then visited the town of Jackson, Wyoming, to see the sights before spending a few days at Granite Creek Campground.

At Granite Creek, the Troop embarked on another 10-mile acclimation hike and were rewarded at the end with some time swimming at the Granite Hot Springs. This relaxation was a welcome respite before the real challenge began.

The Troop’s rigorous trek through the Wind River Range started at the Big Sandy Trailhead. Their first major stop was Big Sandy Lake, a picturesque yet demanding destination. Over the next two days, they faced a series of formidable hardships.

Adjusting to the high elevation of nearly 12,000 feet took its toll on many members of the Crew, with the thin air causing labored breathing and slowing their progress. They also encountered harsh weather conditions, including freezing temperatures, fierce wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, and sudden hail and rain storms. These extreme conditions added considerable physical and mental strain, testing their resilience and adaptability.

The unexpected snow and ice crossings further complicated the trek. The Scouts had to navigate through these treacherous areas with care, relying on their scouting skills and leadership training to ensure safety and progress. The combination of high elevation, challenging terrain, and harsh weather conditions pushed their limits and demanded constant adjustment.

Despite these adversities, the Troop’s spirit remained unshaken. Their resilience and teamwork enabled them to overcome these hardships and complete the journey successfully. The breathtaking beauty of the tall peaks and mountains provided the motivation needed to persevere.

After these grueling days, the remainder of the trek was literally downhill to base camp. Over the course of approximately 52 miles, Troop 1396 encountered various wildlife, though they were fortunate to avoid any dangerous encounters with bears or mountain lions. Along the way, they enjoyed excellent trout fishing in the lakes and streams, providing a rewarding respite from the strenuous hiking.

This remarkable adventure through the Wind River Range will undoubtedly be a cherished memory for Troop 1396, highlighting their ability to overcome significant challenges and appreciate the beauty of nature. The diversity of the crew, consisting of both male and female Scouts and leaders, further exemplified the Scout spirit and teamwork that defined this extraordinary journey.

For more details about the adventure, go to https://www.troop1396.org/high-adventure/wyoming-2024.

Filed Under: Adventure

Summer Camp Planning for Bear and Webelos Den Leaders

September 20, 2024 by Goshen Scout Reservation

Bear and Webelos Den Leaders! Now that you are in your role of Den Leader to incredible Bear and Webelos Scouts, you and your Den are invited to attend Summer Camp at Camp Ross at Goshen Scout Reservation this coming summer!

Camp Ross is home to a week-long summer camp experience just for rising (incoming) Webelos and rising Arrow of Light Scouts. Here, they’ll take part in some amazing outdoor adventures, including swimming, boating, fishing, archery, BB shooting, hiking, and outdoor skills development (to name a few)!

You are invited to start planning your Summer 2025 Adventures on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm. We’ll review “A Day in the Life” at Camp Ross, walk through the registration process, and answer any questions you may have.

As you are learning, the Cub Scout Program provides Scouts with the opportunity to learn about being a member of their family, how to take an active role in serving their neighborhood, and living by the ideals of the Scouting Program. At Camp Ross, our Scouts become members of a Camp Community with Scouts from across the Council. They meet new friends, make lasting memories, and take critical steps in learning about the next part of their Scouting journey: Scouts BSA.

To attend this Zoom Meeting, please register at:
Camp Ross: A Summer Camp Adventure for Rising Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts
https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gj5BxZxkSHSthMnV3QXQrw#/registration

In the meantime, explore what NCAC Cub Scout Parents and Leaders are saying about their own Camp Ross experience on our YouTube Channel:

Enhance Your Pack Summer! What Leaders are Saying About Camp Ross

“I look forward to seeing your Den at Camp Ross this summer!” – Elisabeth Warren, Goshen Scout Reservation Director, National Capital Area Council, BSA

Filed Under: At Camp Tagged With: Cub Scouts, Goshen Scout Reservation, summer camp, Webelos

Aspiring Scientists Excel as STEM Scouts

September 4, 2024 by Mike Haas

STEM Scouts Lab 239 in Fredericksburg, VA, is a beacon of innovation and scientific exploration for young minds. With a mission to inspire and nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators, this lab actively cultivates a passion for STEM among elementary and middle school students.

Last year, the elementary school lab at Rocky Run Elementary mentored 18 aspiring scientists. The curriculum included Chemistry, Archaeology, Robotics/Coding, and Inventing modules that aligned with students’ interests, challenged their understanding of the world around them, and fostered critical thinking skills. Students engaged in a hands-on learning environment, conducting experiments and projects that brought abstract concepts to life. Dedicated adult mentors enriched the experience by providing personalized support and encouragement to each student.

A truly standout achievement was the completion of “Supernova Awards” by six Cub Scouts – the most awards earned in Aquia District since the inception of the NOVA program! The Supernova is a prestigious award requiring Cub Scouts to demonstrate exceptional proficiency in STEM subjects. It is a testament to the quality of education and mentorship that these young students successfully met the rigorous standards to earn this award.

Last year, Lab 239 also launched a middle school program, successfully mentoring eight students in the fields of Microbiology and Astronomy. These subjects ignited Scouts’ curiosity and provided a deeper understanding of the biological sciences and the universe. Activities ranged from studying microorganisms under a microscope to exploring the stars and planets. The focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications is helping prepare students for future academic and career pursuits in STEM fields.

STEM Scouts Lab 239 continues its mission of inspiring young minds by introducing all new modules at Rocky Run Elementary in September. The elementary school lab meets two Tuesdays a month; the middle school lab meets two Thursdays a month. Regular meetings offer students opportunities to explore new concepts, engage in collaborative projects, and build skills.

STEM Scouts Lab 239 remains dedicated to empowering the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators, ensuring they will Be Prepared to tackle future 21st-century challenges and opportunities.

You can follow the lab on Facebook: STEM Scouts Lab 239, Fredericksburg, VA

 

Filed Under: Scouting Programs

DCSA Forest Restoration for Tomorrow – Zane J

August 22, 2024 by Zane Javeri

My name is Zane J, and I am an Eagle Scout from Troop 345 in the Wolf Trap District. I started the Distinguished Conservation Service Award (DCSA) to help the environment and the community. 

I led a forestation and range management project in Glyndon Park in Vienna, VA. I noticed that as the park was developed over time, many trees and plant life were removed as a consequence. I also noticed the park has a significant number of older trees nearing their life span, and there were not many younger trees. Over time, the loss of trees harms the plants, animals, and overall ecosystem, and the park could benefit from having the next generation of plants installed. The first step I took was to plant native 136 native plants in Glyndon Park to bring younger native plants to the park. Planting new native species is crucial as they are better adapted to local conditions and can create a more diverse and resilient ecosystem. By increasing native plants in the area, I hope to bring more native birds, bees, butterflies, and overall more wildlife, which in turn will have a major benefit to the park’s health. 

However, planting native species was only the first step in park restoration, and the second part involved removing invasive species.  It is a necessary part of this project to help the native plants thrive. Invasive species are known to outcompete native plants for resources, which can disrupt the balance of ecosystems and pose a serious threat to all wildlife within them. Removing invasive species at Glyndon Park will help ensure the park’s newly planted native species thrive in the future. Some of the invasive species removed that threatened native wildlife included English ivy, periwinkle, leatherleaf mahonia, wineberry, creeping euonymus, autumn olive, Japanese holly, Japanese honeysuckle,  and barberry. I partnered with the local community, including schools, Scouts BSA, Girl Scouts, Nature Specialist Club, and the Town of Vienna. I worked with over 50 volunteers and this project had over 200 volunteer hours. Additionally, I educated over 140 people on the importance of forestation and range management.  

The Scouting America’s DCSA program honors Scouts who carry out significant conservation projects with more rigorous requirements than a Scout BSA Eagle Scout project.  To earn the award, Scouts must complete two supersize Scout environmentally-related projects.  It requires the Scout to conduct in-depth research of a conservation issue; determine a solution; write a report; plan, execute, and lead a project; educate the community outreach; write final project reports; present their projects and findings before a conservation committee, and finally, earn seven conservation type merit badges.

My first conservation project focused on recycling tennis balls, and it was a success. Over 10,000 tennis balls were recycled, and the program I set up at Fairfax Racket Club continues to this day. I hope to inspire others to make a difference in their communities and positively impact the world.

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week

Distinguished Conservation Service Award Projects – Jason W.

August 12, 2024 by Jason Woodman

My name is Jason W, and I am an Eagle Scout in Troop 1094 in Darnestown, Maryland. I really enjoy being outside and I really enjoy watching and learning about wildlife. I look forward to becoming a wildlife biologist one day. Back in 2022, I learned about the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award (DCSA). The DCSA award is the former Hornaday Award and it encourages Scouts to design, lead, and carry out a conservation project. The project must be designed to address a conservation issue or need in the local area, and it must benefit the environment and the creatures that live there. There are nine conservation project categories to choose from, and you must complete two projects in two different categories. One project may count as your Eagle project. I decided I wanted to earn this award, and my first project, which was also my Eagle project, would be in the category of pollinator habitat conservation. I created a ½ acre pollinator habitat in Poolesville, Maryland, and wrote an article about it last April. After I wrote that article, I was honored to earn the Daughters of the American Revolution National Conservation Service Award and the 2023 Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award for the National Capital Area Council. If you are interested in seeing photos, here is my video link.

For my 2nd Distinguished Conservation Service Award Project, I began a three-stage project to improve the fish and wildlife in my hometown of Poolesville, Maryland. The first stage was to hopefully attract a new breed of ducks to Poolesville. More specifically, wood ducks. I installed four nesting boxes at a quiet pond in Poolesville last fall. While I haven’t seen any wood ducks yet, this spring, I was able to witness hooded mergansers (cavity nesters) at this pond and watch tree swallows build nests in the boxes.

My second stage was to build 10 monofilament fishing line recycle bins. I built these bins with three members of my Troop back in December 2023. My purpose was to place nine of them around the ponds of Poolesville. The last one we built was for me to share with the Poolesville Sustainability Committee so they could have one on display at community festivals to promote the recycling of fishing lines. Fishing line takes 600 years to decompose and it is very dangerous to wildlife who get caught up in the discarded fishing line in the water. Just last year, we had a Canadian goose have a bunch of fishing lines tied around its foot that required four people to help him get loose. This fishing line will be collected and sent to a recycling facility in Iowa. Then, it will be melted down into little pellets, which will, in turn, be made into fishing tackle boxes. In February, I installed the nine recycle bins. I waited until May to go around and collect the fishing line. I am happy to report that eight recycling bins were filled with fishing lines. It was a huge collection that is currently on its way to Iowa to be recycled.

My third stage of the project was a lot of fun. I asked my community to promise to let me collect their Christmas trees after the holiday season. A fellow troop Scout and I drove around town and picked up 30 Christmas trees in January. We learned as we drove around that local farmers also collect Christmas trees to feed their goats. After we collected the trees, I recruited three of my ice hockey teammates to help me wire cinderblocks to these trees. We had to drill holes through the trees, insert the wire through the tree, and then to the cinderblock. Otherwise, the tree will float and not sink. At the end of January, a few scouts, along with my distinguished service conservation advisor, Ms. Sara Holtz, my project conservation advisor, Mr. King, and a few members of his work crew, helped me drop 30 Christmas trees into the deepest pond in Poolesville (Here is my video link of that day if you are interested). This pond is mainly silt at the bottom and lacks a structure for the fish to hide in after spawning. The trees will give cover to the small fish and help them grow larger and survive, hence improving the ecosystem. It has been a lot of fun observing the wildlife at this pond. One day, while holding catch-and-release fishing day with my Troop at the pond, we observed a female bufflehead swimming up and down the line where I dropped the Christmas trees in the water. She was diving under and would then pop up several yards later. This type of duck likes to feed on small minnows. She was finding those minnows in the trees. On another day, I saw this beautiful blue heron that had just caught a small minnow in its beak.

I can proudly say that I’ve fully completed the DCSA! Working on it has been a very hard but very rewarding process. It takes a lot of time and a lot of volunteers to help you succeed. My first project took me about 187 hours to complete, with 69 volunteers for a total of 349 project hours. My second project has taken me about 188 hours to complete with 22 volunteers for a total of 341 project hours. Combined that is a total of 690 volunteer hours of making my local ecosystem a better place for everyone to enjoy. I’m very proud of what my volunteers and I have accomplished. I’m only 16 years old and finishing up my sophomore year of high school. What I have learned the most so far in Scouting is how incredible it is to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

 

 

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week, Scouting Programs

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 167
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

NCAC Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Latest Issue

TSD Summer '18 is on Issuu

Archives

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

You Might Also Like…

  • Director David Henrie Invites NCAC to Digital Movie Premiere

    August 26, 2020

  • Missing Summer Day Camp or Resident Camp?

    June 25, 2020

  • Microscope + Camping = FUN !!!

    June 15, 2020

  • Family – Fun – Flag – FOURTH!

    June 14, 2020

  • Guidance on Resuming In-Person Scouting Activities

    June 12, 2020

  • NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award for Unit Scouters!

    May 29, 2020

  • Introducing the NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award!

    May 11, 2020

  • NCAC Response to COVID-19

    April 4, 2020

  • Scouting At Home Challenge!

    March 19, 2020

  • Scout Service Center Closing

    March 17, 2020

  • Help Celebrate NCAC Camping Centennial at Camp Snyder’s Work Days for All

    March 5, 2020

  • General David L. Goldfein Receives the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

    February 25, 2020

  • TUSKEGEE AIRMAN RECEIVES NCAC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

    February 14, 2020

Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Elk on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in