We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

The Scouter Digest Staff

439, 111, 1321 win at Orienteering Day

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Nov. 16 was another big day for NCAC at the annual MD Orienteering Day, taking the top 3 Troop awards. Troops 439 from Kensington and Troop 111 from Arlington were the first co-champions in the event’s 48 years, with La Plata’s Troop 1321 in third out of 49 Troops.

Alan M. of Troop 111 was the top orienteering champion out of 442 Scouts, edging out Kendall K. (College Park; her third year in the top 10). Ryan B. from Rockville’s Troop 1450 was third, Ben P. from 439 fourth, and Lucas A. from 1321 fifth, just ahead of two PA Scouts.

James T. and Isaac G. edged out 439 Troop mates Alex C. and Finn M. for top Older Category honors. Ian E. and Leo H. were the Younger Category winners. Sixth place Troop was Troop 1946 from DC, led by Charlie C’s top afternoon run in the fun, “free-for-all” Score Orienteering (requiring SPL leadership and Troop teamwork).

In 2025, the event will be on Oct. 25 (Oct. 24-26 if camping) at the Jug Bay area of Patuxent River Park near Upper Marlboro. To learn more, email DaveLinthicum@earthlink.net.

Jim Chaplin’s big 20th Annual NCAC Scout Orienteering Day will be on May 3 at Kings Ldg. Park in Calvert County. To learn more, email JHChaplin@comcast.net. Go to QOCweb.org for lists of good DC-area orienteering events suitable for Scouts.

Summer Camp Planning: How to Build Excitement and Engagement for Camp Ross

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In the second installment of the Summer Camp Planning for Bear and Webelos Den Leaders webinar series, we hear from two experienced Cubmasters, Clare and Spencer. They cover their favorite parts of Camp Ross and the benefits they have found for their Packs, advice for parent/guardians preparing their Scouts to attend for the first time, and tips and tricks for Den Leaders and Cubmasters to recruit both adults and Scouts for a fun week of camp.

Miss the webinar? Watch the recording:

Want to catch up? Check out our previous post with the first installment in the Summer Camp Planning for Bear and Webelos Den Leaders webinar series complete with the Tool Kit: weownadventure.com/summer-camp-planning-tool-kit/

You can also find more resources on the Camp Ross webpage at www.gotogoshen.org/ross and on the Goshen Scout Reservation About page at www.gotogoshen.org/about . The video resources mentioned in the webinar can be found both on the About page as well as on the Goshen Scout Reservation YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@gotogoshen

Save the dates for upcoming webinars! All are at 7pm Eastern Time.

For current Lions and Tigers (rising Tigers and Wolves)

For current Bears and Webelos (rising Webelos and AOLs)

  • January 21, 2025: Funding Your Summer Adventure
  • February 24, 2025: Meet Your Camp Ross Team!
  • March 24, 2025: Program and Elective Adventure Offerings
  • April 22, 2025: Pre-Camp Planning
  • May 20, 2025: Your First Day – Arrival Overview

Scouts Demonstrate Fire Safety to the Community

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During the Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department Open House on Saturday October 12, 2024, Scouts from Troop 7 for girls and Troop 51 for boys spent the day informing the public about fire safety. In Scouting, our young people learn valuable and life-saving skills that remain with them for the rest of their lives. Along the way, they share their knowledge and skills and contribute to making our communities better places.

While serving as staff for the Open House, the Scouts BSA, which consists of middle and high school aged-youth, met the local community and provided information about smoke alarms, stop-drop-roll, creating a family meeting place, and general fire safety.

The Fair Oaks’ volunteers won Best Open House in Battalion 7 for their efforts!

One of the distinct benefits of Scouting to the community has always been the close connection between our Scouting units (called Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, and Posts depending on the program) and the organizations and community groups that sponsor or “charter” them. Annual charter agreements with religious, community, and education organizations allow them to operate the Scouting program. These partners are provided with training, supportive materials, and direct professional service. We are grateful for the Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department and each of our charter partners whose objectives, mission, and methodologies match those of Scouting America. Together we are dedicated to a youth movement fostering character development, citizenship, and personal fitness for our young people.

 

 

 

Summer Camp Planning: Tool Kit

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Summer camp is one of the highlights of Scouting. If you have a current Bear Den or current Webelos Den, then Camp Ross is the summer camp experience just for you! Camp Ross is a week-long camp just for rising Webelos and rising Arrow of Light Scouts. With lots of fun activities – including swimming, boating, fishing, archery, BB shooting, hiking, crafting, and outdoor skills – it is the an amazing opportunity for your den to learn, grow, and get ready for an awesome upcoming year of adventure in their new rank as well as prepare them for the next step of the program – Scouts BSA.

Watch a webinar:

You can also download the info-packed slides from the webinar here: Camp Ross Summer Camp Planning Webinar slides [PDF]

Looking for more resources? The tools referenced in the webinar can be found below and are also on the Camp Ross webpage at www.gotogoshen.org/ross

Summer Camp Planning Tool Kit

Scouts & Scouters Remember Will Rodger with a Conservation Project

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NCAC Conservation Committee, under the leadership of Carol Brown & Sara Holtz, Camp William B. Snyder’s Camp Ranger James Donelson & Troop 131, collaborated to plan a conservation project in memory of Will Rodger, the first Chair of the NCAC Conservation Committee. Scout Sean & Scouter Kevin from Troop 11, Will’s wife Betsy Rodger, Carol & Sara said a few words to remember Will and his dedication to scouts, scouting & conservation.

Nearly 90 Scouts & Scouters from 8 NCAC Districts and from Virginia Headwaters Council spent 3 hours restoring habitat by removing invasive plants, rescuing trees from invasive vines & planting native trees. Participants earned the Messenger of Peace Award. The event launched the Camp Snyder Habitat Restoration program, which will strongly encourage units camping at Camp William B. Snyder to set aside time for an invasive plant removal & tree rescue session. Contact Camp Snyder Camp Ranger James Donelson to schedule a conservation project.

Will Rodger served as the founding Chair of the NCAC Conservation Committee, on the NCAC International Committee, and in many roles in Toop 131 in Alexandria, VA (Accotink Bay District). In his role as chair of the Conservation Committee, he energetically & passionately focused on training Scouters to support scouts in earning the prestigious Hornaday, now Distinguished Conservation Service Award (DCSA) award for their exceptional, impactful conservation projects. As a nod to his long membership in the NCAC International Committee, the project organizers designated the event as a Messenger of Peace Award project, an award coordinated by the International Committee, and all participants earned the ring-shaped Messenger of Peace Award patch. Invasive plants are plants that are not native to the place where they are growing; in the context of Camp Snyder, that means plants that did not originate in northern Virginia. Invasive plants spread rapidly or aggressively & cause ecological & or economic damage.

Thanks to Fairfax Master Naturalists and Virginia Native Plant Society members for leading teams of scouts & scouters during the work sessions. Thanks to generous donors who bought native trees & supplies for today’s project: John Selstrom, Dan Kurtenbach, Carol Brown & Sara Holtz. Thanks to the native plant nursery Earth Sangha for giving us a discount on purchasing native trees such as redbud, redcedar, white oak, maple, and hickory oak. Thanks to Carol, Chris & Alan Brown for marking invasive plants in advance of the event. Thanks to all the hardworking volunteers, many of whom did not know Will. Finally, a huge thanks to Carol Brown & Jim Donelson; this project would not be possible without them!

Carol Brown is a wildlife biologist, recipient of the Silver Beaver award, Leave No Trace Level 2 instructor, DCSA Advisor, and NCAC Outdoor Ethics & NCAC Conservation Committees member.
Sara Holtz is the chair of the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee.

Congratulations to Sara Holtz, National Outdoor Ethics Distinguished Service Award Recipient

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Hearty Congratulations to Sara Holtz, one of Scouting America’s 2024 National Outdoor Ethics Distinguished Service Award recipients. The award recognizes Scouters who are exemplary leaders in Outdoor Ethics within their councils and on a national level.

Sara is the current chair of the Outdoor Ethics Committee and is the main reason why the National Capital Area Council is seen as a leader in Outdoor Ethics training, program development, and delivery. Her lead in developing a training program for Troop Outdoor Ethics Guides is one example within the council. She has spearheaded the development of the NCAC Cub Scout Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award and its requirements and led the contest to design a patch for the award. This award is unique to our council.

She is a Level 2/Master Educator for Leave No Trace. Her leadership has helped build a robust group of Outdoor Ethics Trainers, both adult, and Scouts, who deliver programs throughout the NCAC and even to other councils and the Philmont Ranger cadre.

Sara is a Distinguished Conservation Service Award Adviser and has worked to develop a growing program within the council. She is a source of expertise for other councils who are starting/reinvigorating programs in their councils. The last offering of online training for DCSA hosted participants (scouts, parents, and potential advisors) from the NCAC and eight other councils. She is also a member of the NCAC Conservation Committee.

We are fortunate to have Sara as a leader in the National Capital Area Council.