The Scouter Digest Staff

New Scout Shop Hours!

August 4, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

The news you all have been waiting for is finally here, you can starting buying even more patches now on Mondays! Starting Monday 8/17, we will be adding Mondays from 10am to 6pm to the Scout Shop schedule. The new schedule will be Monday- Friday (10 am-6pm), Saturday (10am-2pm), and Sunday (Closed).

All visitors are still required to wear face coverings while they are in the MSSC. Bathrooms will not be available to the public, and there will continue to be no in-person meetings or gatherings. If you are not feeling well or have been in contact with someone who may be infected with COVID-19, please plan to visit us another time. We are committed to protecting the health of our staff and volunteers.

See you soon!

BOY SCOUTS HONOR TUSKEGEE AIRMAN WITH SPECIAL EDITION COUNCIL SHOULDER PATCH

August 4, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

The National Capital Area Council (NCAC) is delighted to announce CSCI, a nationally recognized consulting, enterprise IT, and financial management firm, will sponsor a special edition council shoulder patch honoring retired Air Force Brigadier General Charles McGee. The patch will honor the Tuskegee Airman’s legacy and life spent embodying the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law.

General McGee recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NCAC in February. At the presentation he stated, “If more people lived their lives by the Scout Oath and Law, the world would be a lot better off.”

An active member of Boy Scouts in his youth, McGee has earned the Distinguished Eagle Scout award, and received the Silver Beaver award for his outstanding service and noteworthy accomplishments. He was also selected this year as a recipient of the Boy Scouts of America’s highest award for volunteers, the Silver Buffalo Award, for service to young people on a national level. The veteran continued to display his leadership capabilities throughout his 30-year military career, earning numerous decorations from the Bronze Star to the Hellenic Republic WWII Commemorative Medal. Most recently, McGee received the honorary promotion to Brigadier General in December 2019, which was announced in January during President Trump’s State of the Union address. The 100-year old Brigadier General McGee has had a year – from his appearance presiding over the coin toss at Superbowl LIV to being recognized at the State of the Union address to a book signing ceremony at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum celebrating Black History month, where he was featured as part of its African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space program.

“We are extremely proud to recognize retired Brigadier General Charles McGee for his tremendous accomplishments and contributions to Scouting said Scout Executive Craig Poland. “Brigadier General McGee not only meets the criteria for the special edition council shoulder patch – he more than surpasses it. The values embodied in Scouting are reflected in his daily life and work.”

Nearly 60,000 Scouts in NCAC will have the opportunity to wear the one-of-a-kind patch that honors the living legend and his history in Scouting. Council Shoulder Patches are part of every Scout’s uniform, reflecting the history and tradition of their home community. These patches frequently become collectables and are traded between Scouts at national events.

Cub-A-Day Program Week 9 (August 3-8)

August 2, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

MONDAY

It’s Make Something Monday

Do a shadow drawing – Use some Scouting related items, toys, or other household objects. You can even make this a Nova experiment by talking with a counselor!

Even more fun? Invite a pack-mate or a friend who isn’t a Scout yet to do a drawing as well and have a Zoom Art Show. Please post photos of your shadow drawings for us to see here!

You can find an example experiment here: https://www.rookieparenting.com/shadow-drawing/

TUESDAY

It’s Taste Something Tuesday!
Today is the day so many of us have been waiting for – National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!!!This one is easy: Make or buy some chocolate chip cookies and share them with your family. Don’t forget the milk!

WEDNESDAY

It’s Wander Around Wednesday!
Take a hike or walk and count how many out of state license plates you see. Pick one of the states you saw and learn about a state park OR a national park in that state.

THURSDAY

It’s Do Something Thoughtful Thursday!

Learn the American Sign Language signs for at least 4 points of the Scout Law. This video shows the whole Scout Law at speed and then slower to help follow along https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Tr8g0Nrq4

Wolves get credit for Cubs Who Care Requirement #6 by completing this activity!

Webelos/AOL Challenge: Use this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdt_4f1Tcs0to learn the Scout Oath to complete Aware and Care Requirement #4e

FRIDAY

It’s Family Fun Friday!

Go through family photos of the summer so far. Pick out your favorite and share with your family why it’s your favorite. If you get really creative, you can make a frame for the photo or even start a scrapbook based on your summer adventures!

If it’s a scouting adventure, be sure to post it here! – https://www.facebook.com/groups/ncac.cubscouts/

It’s Safety Saturday!

Pick a requirement from the Emergency Preparedness Award with your Family and work on it today.

Requirements are here for each rank: https://www.scouting.org/awards/awards-central/emergency-preparedness/

One More Opportunity for Camp Snyder Family Camping!

July 31, 2020 by Craig Weston

If your family was not able to participate in Family Camping during July, you have a special opportunity to do so! We’ve just added a 5th week of Family Camping at Camp Snyder for the weekend of August 7-9. Some families have already registered, so don’t wait long to sign up!

Want to shoot a BB gun, climb the Scouterhorn, fly a drone, make a tool box or bird house or create Foam Gnomes with STEM? Then this weekend is for you! Check out the Camp Snyder Program Activities Catalog! Plus, you can hike the nature trail, bike all over Camp Snyder, fish in a well-stocked lake, discover Geocaches, roast marsh mellows over your own campfire or look at nature up close with the foldable microscope every youth receives.

Adventures of Pack-Man and Newbie – Foil Dinner

July 31, 2020 by Roger Claff

Adventure Talks Recap; Looking Ahead

July 28, 2020 by John Blackwell

This month, NCAC kicked off a webinar series called Adventure Talks. Adventure Talks are a webinar series to bring the illustrious and exciting adventures that Scouts take to you! Scouts have explored the deep ocean, the corners of the earth, and space. This series of talks features presentations and panels about Philmont, the Appalachian Trail, research in Antarctica, biking across the USA, Scouting Jamborees, and more.

The first three talks included a Philmont Panel, a NESA World Explorer sharing his experience at the Biodiversity Station in Ecuador, and a Thru-Hiker’s Tales of the Appalachian Trail.

Today, July 28, we revisit Philmont, with new panelists and another perspective. Tune in as Danielle Ballantine, John Blackwell, Patricia Wrath and Toni Welch share their experiences of the Philmont Training Center, Family Adventures, PLC and Philmont Ambassdors!

Have a burning question or a topic you wish to see addressed? Let us know ahead of time in the sign up. OR ask the panelists directly during Q&A in the ZOOM session. To get the link to join the ZOOM, please sign up (free) here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks

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Recap of July Adventure Talks

July 7: Philmont Panel: The Philmont Fires, the Welcome Center, the highest peaks and longest treks.

The panelists include Tom Giugni, Jay Oakman, Sam McGrath and Arden Dougan. Our Moderator is Julia Mae-Shen Lesko.

Our panelists have been Philmont Ambassadors, Scouting U Faculty, Rangers and participants – we aim to offer you a glimpse of each role and how you can participate too!

July 14: An Eagle’s Guide to the Rainforest

Evan Dunn, NESA World Explorer, will share his experience at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador.

Dr. Michael Manyak, distinguished Eagle Scout and founder of the NESA World Explorer program also shares and intro about the program!

July 21: Tales from the Trail

Approximately 2,000 people attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail each year. Only about 10% (150-200) of the hikers who start make it the whole way from Georgia to Maine. Join long distance hiker and biker Pete Lane for a first hand account of how he made the journey.

July 28: Philmont Talks II

There’s so much to cover with Philmont, we have Part II! Our panelists include Danielle Ballantine, John Blackwell, Pat Wrath and Toni Welch. Topics include: PTC, Family Adventure, PLC and Philmont Ambassdors! Have a burning question? Let us know ahead of time in the sign up or ask the panelists directly during Q&A.

To get the link to join the ZOOM, please sign up (free) here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks