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The Scouter Digest Staff

Crew 1345’s Inspiring Visit to the Pentagon: A Journey Through History, Career Opportunities, and Personal Connections

June 10, 2024 by C1345 VP of Communication

Venturing Crew 1345 of Burke, VA, embarked on an extraordinary journey to one of the most iconic buildings in the United States – the Pentagon. This visit was not just a tour of the five-sided headquarters (which the Crew counted to actually be 72 sides!) but a cool experience where they learned about different careers and government efforts.

The Crew members were particularly interested in the building’s significance. During their visit to the interior 9/11 memorial, a Crew member noted, “It was interesting how it commemorated all the people who were lost during 9/11, and how all their stories were shared through books and signed pieces of paper.” Walking through the various corridors dedicated to each of the military branches and major historical events, the Crew delved deeper into U.S. history and gained insights into the history of the individual branches.

Thanks to the Crew’s adult leaders, who are active in the military, the Scouts were able to have a more personalized tour and had the chance to meet with individuals serving in various military positions. These interactions provided the Crew with a deeper understanding of the diverse roles within the military and the people who fulfill them. Among these roles were a Flight Nurse and a Strategist, which aligned with the career interests of some Crew members. The flight nurse shared insights into the challenges and rewards of providing medical care and transporting the injured in military aviation, discussing the required training, the critical decision-making involved, and the significant impact they have.

Beyond the specific roles, the visit to the Pentagon opened the Crew’s eyes to a multitude of career opportunities within the military. Each person they talked to emphasized the importance of leadership, teamwork, and dedication – qualities that are important to the Venturing program. When leaving the Pentagon, the Crew was especially surprised to see Venturing BSA trading coins in the Fort America shop (Pentagon gift shop)! The Crew’s visit to the Pentagon was definitely a highlight of the Crew’s year and one they will be talking about for a while.

Filed Under: Scouting Programs

Potomac District has 4 new Eagle Scouts in May!

May 21, 2024 by Stanley Kwok

Congratulations to the 4 NCAC Potomac District Eagle Scouts and their proud parents. Thank you so much to all those who assisted these Life Scouts along their journey to reach the Eagle Scout rank!

The following websites might be of interest to some:

OA Eagle Scout Congratulatory Letter

Eagle, Summit, Quartermaster, and Gold Congratulation Letters

Summit Award Congratulatory Letter

The Association of Top Achiever Scouts

ATAS is a worldwide Scouting fellowship group of Scouts and Scouters who have achieved the highest rank as youth in their Scout associations, such as King’s Scout, Queen’s Scout, President’s Scout, Fuji Scout, Eagle Scout, etc.

 

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week

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

May 21, 2024 by Carla Brown

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

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week, Scouting Programs

Scout Overcomes Challenges to Reaching Eagle Rank

May 7, 2024 by Mike Haas

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.

Filed Under: Eagle of the Week

Patuxent Cub & Pal

May 7, 2024 by Sean Troxell

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!!

Filed Under: Scouting Programs

Experience High Adventure at ACE Adventure Resort – Sponsored

May 5, 2024 by Agnes Casto

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.

Filed Under: Adventure

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