We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

The Scouter Digest Staff

Troop 58’s Spring Break St. Thomas Sailing Adventure

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An adventurous crew of nine scouts and three adults from Troop 58 in Ashburn, VA spent a year eagerly anticipating a spring break Sea Base sailing adventure in the Bahamas. Due to the uncertainties surrounding international travel because of the ongoing pandemic, the crew changed course in January and chose a St. Thomas sailing adventure in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In April, the crew donned their matching Hawaiian shirts, met Captain Matias at Sapphire Beach Marina and boarded the deck of the 50 ft. yacht, Antillean, and set sail.

The first night sleeping on deck was quite an adventure with gusting high winds, torrential downpours, flapping side panels, squealing pulleys, squawking seagulls, and even crowing roosters! The weather improved and the crew enjoyed navigating from the shaded cockpit and at times relaxing in the on-deck hammock. Some of the highlights of the week included snorkeling, night fishing at Honeymoon Beach, hiking to Fort Segarra, and a beach BBQ. Late in the week, the crew swam ashore in their bathing suits to Water Island for a well-deserved hamburger dinner at a local waterfront restaurant.

During the course of the five-day adventure the crew completed the requirements to earn the Snorkeling BSA patch and the Duty to God award. Several scouts also earned their Fishing, Citizenship in Society, and Communications merit badges. Captain Matias kept a close eye on the crew throughout the week to evaluate their success on the water in the areas of snorkeling, sailing & crewing, fishing, cooking, cleaning, personal care, and behavior and awarded them with the Captains Club patch.

Troop 58’s next high adventure will be dog-sledding, snowshoeing, ice-fishing and more at Okpik Cold Weather Camping at Northern Tier in January 2023!

Pack 278 Celebrates it’s First Supernova as a Family Pack

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Cub Scout Pack 278 is proud to award its 3rd Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award to Fiona H. Fiona joined the pack as a Wolf when she became the first girl registered in Pack 278.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, the Leaders of Pack 278 took on the task of becoming a Family Pack that serves all youth in the Middletown Valley. Fiona watched her older brother learn important life skills while having fun since she was 3 years old. Today, at 9 years old, she has earned her Bear Rank and successfully completed the Alvarez Supernova requirements.

The Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova honors Dr. Alvarez’s many achievements. While working on the Alvarez Supernova, Fiona was challenged to research 3 different scientists and innovators. Fiona chose to research the lives of Jane Goodall, Marie Curie, and Mary Anning. These three women forged ahead in their scientific fields despite many telling them that scientific discovery was not the role of women. Fiona continued to learn about women scientists by interviewing Jennifer Karschner, a Forensic Specialist working for the Montgomery County Police Department. During this interview, Fiona learned that a simple love of puzzles and helping people combined with “lots of school” can be a recipe for a successful career in Science.

Fiona pursued her interest in science by completing a science experiment investigating the result of placing chicken bones in vinegar and other liquids. Along with learning about acids and bases, she discovered that science can be cool and gross at the same time. Finally, Fiona spoke with her Den Leader about why learning science and math is important in education. Fiona learned that science is in everything that we do, from building fires to baking cookies. Understanding why the recipe works is the first step in creating your own.

June NESA Luncheon Featuring 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Peter Agre!

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Calling all Eagles to an extraordinary NESA Luncheon! Join us on Thursday, June 9th, 2022, via zoom to hear from the 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Peter Agre! Register here at, ncacbsa.org/nesa-lunches/.

Did you know that one of the fundamental processes of life is the transportation of water molecules through the surface layer of the cells that comprise organisms? Channels that allow the passage of water but not other substances are crucial for processes such as the kidney’s capacity to recover water from urine. For a long time, no one knew what these water canals looked like, but in 1990 Peter Agre succeeded in isolating a protein that he proved was the sought-after water canal. This protein is known as Aquaporin.

Today, Agre now focuses his attention on combatting malaria in the laboratory and in the field, where he oversees efforts in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Although the lunches are free, please consider making a donation to Scouting at www.ncacbsa.org/give to help support our luncheons as well as the great Scouting experience. Who knows—you might be helping a future luncheon speaker write their story!

And if you or someone you know are interested in being a guest speaker at one of our lunches, or you have a suggestion or idea, please contact us at NESADC@NCACBSA.org.

For updates and registration on upcoming networking luncheons, follow us on Facebook, add us on LinkedIn, or check out our schedule on the National Capital Area Council’s Calendar of Events.

 

Volcano Snow Supernova

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(From left to right) Supernova Award Recipient Robert El-Hage, Sully District Unit Commissioner Randy Young.

On May 29, 2021, Robert El-Hage was awarded the Dr. Luis Alvarez Supernova Award by Mr. Randy Young, Sully District Unit Commissioner, at Pack 717’s Blue & Gold event. Robert is a Bear in Cub Scout Pack 717, chartered by St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Clifton Virginia, where he is a 3rd Grader at the church’s school. Robert started off as a Cub Scout in the Lion pilot program as a kindergartener. He was quickly inspired by Mr. Young to work on Cub Scout Awards that are not earned very often. Robert first earned the International Spirit Award after expressing his interest in ham radio during the Jamboree-on-the-Air at Camp Snyder. This accomplishment led Robert to discover the Nova program.

(From left to right) Cub Master Elias El-Hage, Supernova Award Recipient Robert El-Hage, Sully District Unit Commissioner Randy Young.

To receive the Supernova Award, a Scout first must earn a certain number of Nova awards. He earned four Nova awards: Down and Dirty, Fearful Symmetry, Out of this World, and Up and Away. His favorite Nova was Down and Dirty because he got to make a Papier Mache volcano. He also enjoyed earning the Out of this World award which is all about astronomy. To earn this, Robert watched astronomy videos, participated in a two hour Zoom meeting hosted by the NCAC STEM Committee, and did some cool crafts. After completing this Nova award, Robert was inspired to become an astronomer.

Even after completing these Nova awards, Robert was determined to achieve the Supernova award. He wanted to earn a medal that meant something to him. Robert was mentored by Dr. Hatcher Tynes, who is the Sully District STEM Coordinator. For his scientific method demonstration he created “volcano snow”, experimenting so he could create the right consistency of “snow”. It took him six months to earn his Supernova. If Robert could describe his overall experience in three words it would be “hard, interesting,” and (most importantly) “fun.”

 

Article authored by Supernova recipient’s big sister, Kiernan El-Hage, SPL Troop 1137G. 

June Council Wide Virtual Roundtable, Wednesday, June 15, 2022

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The next NCAC Council Wide Virtual Roundtable will be held Wednesday evening, June 15, 2022 from 7:30PM to 8:30PM via Zoom. The Zoom room will open at 7:15PM.

Plenary Session Topic: Adult & Youth Training Trends

Guest Speakers:
Danielle Ballantine – BSA National Territory 12 Training Coordinator
Tom DiMisa, NCAC Training Committee Chair
Chris Cooper – NCAC Training Committee
Vice-Chair

Zoom Meeting Details:
https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/j/81365752820? pwd=bEQrOFdBMmJ1ZkVOQWxTVER6L3lnZz09

Meeting ID: 813 6575 2820
Passcode: 467148

Sign Up Today For The 2023 National Jamboree!

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The 2023 National Jamboree Registration is OPEN!

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Sign up today for the 2023 Jamboree scheduled for July 19-28, 2023.

Scouting as we know it has taken a bit of a turn over the last couple years. We are excited to announce that the National Jamboree will return to the Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve in 2023!

Registration is now open on the National website at jamboree.scouting.org. The National Capital Area Council is sending 14 contingent units to Jamboree. You can sign up today; adults are also encouraged to register but must be approved by the Council.

The NCAC cost for Jamboree is $1725 per person and includes the Jamboree, transportation to and from Summit, a backpack, patches, and more! Camperships are available for youth participants. The campership application is available on NCAC’s website.

Youth must be at least 12 years of age to attend; adults are 21 years and older. Participants age 18-21 will attend as youth participants. Participants will be assigned to a contingent unit the end of 2022. There will be a mandatory overnight event scheduled at Camp Snyder in June 2023. Contingent units will also meet prior to departing for Jamboree; details will be distributed by selected Scoutmasters.

Check out this video below to see what Jamboree has in store for you.

More information, including payment schedule, campership application, and Adult Leader applications are available on the Council’s website at ncacbsa.org/jamboree. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alex Keenan at ADLKeenan@gmail.com or Bob MacKichan at robert.mackichan@hklaw.com.

We look forward to seeing you at Jamboree next year!