We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

The Scouter Digest Staff

Scout Wins Sons of the American Revolution Essay Contest – George Washington Chapter

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Troop 1577 Eagle Scout Russell Welland was recognized by the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution on May 11. He participated in the Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest, and his essay was chosen for recognition by this chapter. At their monthly meeting, he read his essay and received a $500 scholarship.

To participate in this contest, Eagle Scouts write a 500-word essay about an aspect of the American Revolution. They must also document their family tree for four generations. In addition, they can earn additional points if they have earned these merit badges: American Heritage, Genealogy, and Law.

Russell’s essay was about Daniel Morgan from Virginia. Morgan fought in many battles, but he is most famous for the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina. This was a turning point that shifted the war in favor of the Patriots. It helped the Patriot Army change their strategy for how to better engage militiamen (the untrained volunteers) to win in traditional field battles.

As part of his application, Russell earned his American Heritage merit badge with Jim Quinn. Mr. Quinn is an excellent merit badge counselor who also worked with Russell on his Railroading merit badge.

If you are interested in this contest, click here. The George Washington Chapter’s website is here.

The contest is open to all Eagle Scouts until they turn 18 years old.

Photo by Thomas Roth, SAR

Scout Overcomes Challenges to Reaching Eagle Rank

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Aquia District Troop 850’s Newest Eagle Scout – Thomas Gill

Eighteen-year-old Thomas Gill celebrated earning the BSA rank of Eagle Scout on Saturday, April 20th, with a ceremony and reception held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Local leaders, State Senator Tara Durant, Delegate Paul Milde, and Senior Vice Commandant of the Marine Corps League, Jack Maas Detachment, Christina Wanzer, attended the ceremony and honored Thomas with commendations.

Thomas is a Senior at Mountain View High School and led Scouts BSA Troop 850 from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in the Aquia District, National Capital Area Council, to build a rain-barrel reclamation system at Widewater State Park to supply water to volunteers watering a pollinator garden and park maintenance. Thomas, with his fellow Scouts and his dad, Dennis, built stands for rain barrels from scratch and retrofitted plain, cheaper barrels to show the Scout Law value of being Thrifty.

Thomas raised funds for the project from friends and family members. He successfully executed the project within three months. Thomas earned 21 Merit Badges, including Disability Awareness, Nuclear Science, and Railroading, the latter being his favorite. This culminated in his earning the rank of Eagle Scout on December 20th, 2023. When asked how he feels about obtaining the Rank, Thomas says, “I can do hard things like this because I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” quoting Philippians 4:13.

Thomas faced uncommon challenges on his way to Scouts BSA’s highest rank. Thomas has Spina Bifida, a neural tube birth defect that affects his ability to walk and do physically demanding tasks. He can walk very short distances with forearm crutches.

Thomas started his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in the National Capital Area Council Pack 845 while in the second grade. According to Thomas’ Mom, Elba, Thomas’ Cub Scout Pack Leader, “Joe Hernandez, an active-duty Marine, encouraged Thomas to always do his best and never give up and it worked!” Thomas says he joined Troop 850 “because they welcomed me without anyone asking what was wrong with my legs.” He went on multiple camping trips and hikes with his Troop, including a ten-miler at Gettysburg. He held several leadership positions in Troop 850 including Historian and Chaplains Aide.

Reaching the Scouts BSA’s highest rank is a rare achievement. Only a very small percentage, less than six percent, of Scouts, attain the rank before their eighteenth birthday. Thomas has done it despite having a challenging physical disability. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at his Eagle Scout Board of Review on December 20, 2023.

Thomas will graduate this May and plans to attend Germanna Community College with plans to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, then potentially transfer to a four-year university.

Patuxent Cub & Pal

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A wonderful, albeit soggy, time was had at the Patuxent Cub & Pal on Saturday! “A Sailing” we went, so it makes sense there was water involved! From knots to fishing, treasure hunting to pirate games, there was even a Raingutter Regatta! Fun was had by all, and many thanks to all the volunteers!!

Experience High Adventure at ACE Adventure Resort – Sponsored

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ACE Adventure Resort’s 1500-acre resort, located in the heart of the New River Gorge National Park in Southern West Virginia, has been serving the Scouting community for over 40 years. The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve and High Adventure camp are just a 20-minute drive away.

Scouts use ACE as a single-day location for rafting and the waterpark or a multi-day location that provides a budget-friendly option for a multi-day to weeklong camp.

The Resort provides 40 miles of hiking and biking trails for guests to discover the beauty of “These West Virginia Hills.” The New River region of the state is the home of high adventure, and ACE provides lodging, meals, and guided activities that Scouts incorporate into their programming to build confidence, discover activities that challenge individuals, and develop troop cohesiveness.

Budget-friendly lodging options include primitive camping, bunkhouses, and cabin tents.   You’ll find shower houses with hot running water strategically placed throughout the resort.

ACE’s Wonderland Waterpark is a great place to keep your Scouts active between guided activities and the perfect option to finish the day’s adventures.

In addition to rafting the Upper or Lower New River, you can choose from land-based (zip lining, rock climbing, aerial park, hiking, and mountain biking) or water-based (rafting, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding) activities.

The New River Gorge High Adventure Package, created with Scouts in mind, offers a week of guided adventures, waterpark passes, and primitive camping with the addition of a six piece patch set. 

Be sure to check out the New River Gorge National Park Junior Ranger Program and Scout Ranger Program.

Both are available free of charge as a part of the NPS programming for youth.

If the goal of your trip to Southern West Virginia is to hike every day, then the New River Gorge National Park will not disappoint.

  • WV Tourism’s Waterfall Trail provides directions and incentives to locate and enjoy 40 Waterfalls throughout the state, and you will find 15 of those waterfalls are in the New River Gorge. Start with Finn’s Falls, located here at ACE Resort.
  • The Meadow River Rail Trail opened in 2023 with six miles of completed trail. This trail provides a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the Meadow River backcountry, accessible by rail trail or river.
  • Needles Eye Bouldering Park is located just 15 minutes from the Resort. You’ll discover unique rock formations that invite you to climb up, around, and through the large rock formations and boulders.

 

ACE provides activities for youth as young as four years old, young adults, and seasoned leaders. Non-profit group rates are available for lodging, activities, and meals. Discover ACE as your “go-to” location when visiting the New River Gorge and add high adventure programming to your Troop’s 2024 Summer activities.

Call Agnes Casto in Group Sales @ 304-469-0130 to plan your trip.

Pack 578 Year in Review

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In alignment with the Boy Scouts of America’s mission, Pack 578 embarked on a journey throughout the year to instill values of the Scout Oath and Law among young boys and girls from kindergarten to fifth grade. Chartered by Richlands Baptist Church and meeting at Rocky Run Elementary, the pack orchestrated a series of events and activities aimed at fostering personal growth, community engagement, and a spirit of service.

The pack’s commitment to safety and skill development was evident through two “pack the pool” events and a summer canoeing expedition, ensuring that scouts acquired essential swimming and boating competencies in a secure environment. Additionally, multiple pack hikes through local national and state parks provide opportunities for physical activity, appreciation of nature, and camaraderie among members.

Demonstrating a proactive approach to safety extended to the streets, Pack 578 collaborated with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office for a bike rodeo, enlightening scouts on bike safety amidst traffic, thereby equipping them with crucial knowledge for navigating urban landscapes responsibly.

Acknowledging the invaluable service of first responders, the pack organized a special pack meeting. At the meeting, scouts expressed gratitude and donated $1000 worth of popcorn to the local Stafford County Fire Department, symbolizing appreciation for their unwavering dedication to the community’s well-being.

Pack 578’s commitment to alleviating food insecurity manifested through their participation in Scouting for Food, which resulted in the collection of over 500 pounds of food and $100 for a local food pantry. This underscores their unwavering dedication to addressing pressing societal needs.

In a heartwarming gesture of compassion, the pack donated 17 winter coats to children in Stafford County Public Schools, embodying the Scout principle of kindness and demonstrating solidarity with those in need during colder months.

Honoring the nation’s fallen heroes and preserving historical legacies, Pack 578 participated in Wreaths Across America by laying down and cleaning up wreaths at Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg. Additionally, they undertook the solemn duty of cleaning up Fredericksburg Battlefield Cemetery, paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Moreover, the pack contributed to Fredericksburg Luminaria by folding 250 bags and aiding in the filling of 18,000 sandbags, illustrating their commitment to community beautification and remembrance.

During a poignant moment at their spring campout, Pack 578 reverently retired 14 American Flags that had served their purpose, honoring the nation’s symbol with dignity and respect, thereby instilling a sense of duty and reverence among scouts towards their country’s emblems.

Pack 578’s Year in Review encapsulates a journey marked by learning, service, and camaraderie, embodying the core tenets of Scouting while leaving an indelible impact on their community and beyond.

Aquia Scouting Program Continues to Flourish: Fostering Citizenship and Self-Reliance

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In the heart of Aquia District, the Scouting program continues to thrive, fostering the development of young minds into responsible citizens and self-reliant individuals. Through a series of engaging events and initiatives, Scouts of all ages have embraced adventure, learning, and camaraderie while embodying the values of good citizenship and self-sufficiency.

The district kicked off its fall season with a bang, hosting a Joint Fall Camporee for Scouts BSA and Webelos, themed around a thrilling zombie outbreak scenario. Despite the challenges of inclement weather, the Scouts embraced the adventure, learning valuable survival skills and teamwork in the process. From shelter building to emergency preparedness, each activity reinforced the importance of being resourceful and resilient in the face of adversity.

Spring brought another exciting adventure with the Spring Camporee, where Scouts BSA embarked on a swashbuckling journey as Pirates of the Aquia District. Through a series of themed activities and challenges, Scouts honed their leadership abilities and navigated the seas of teamwork and collaboration. From treasure hunts to knot tying, each activity underscored the importance of communication and cooperation in achieving common goals.

But the adventure didn’t stop there. Spring also saw the district’s Cub Scouts sharpening their skills at the Spring Target and Range Day held at IWLA Stafford. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, young scouts tested their marksmanship with archery, BB shooting, and slingshots. Beyond the thrill of hitting their targets, scouts learned the importance of discipline, focus, and responsibility in handling equipment safely.

In a bold move to expand its horizons, the district launched the STEM Scouts Lab 239 initiative, aiming to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in young minds. The Junior Lab at Rocky Run Elementary welcomed budding scientists in grades 3-5, immersing them in modules covering Chemistry, Archeology, Robotics, and Inventing. Meanwhile, the Tech Lab at Conway Elementary catered to older students in grades 6-8, delving into the realms of Microbiology and Astronomy. Through hands-on experiments and interactive lessons, Scouts explored the wonders of the universe while honing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Looking ahead, the district eagerly anticipates Scout Day at Fun Land – Fredericksburg on May 4th, offering Scouts in uniform reduced entry to enjoy a day of thrilling rides and attractions. Additionally, with summer just around the corner, units in the area are gearing up for a host of exciting programs and adventures. Interested individuals can find more information by visiting Be A Scout or contacting Kristy Freeman at Kristy.Freeman@scouting.org.

As the Aquia Scouting Program continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to empowering young people with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to succeed in life. Through adventure, education, and community involvement, Scouts are not just preparing for the future—they’re shaping it.