Have you ever heard of a bike rodeo? If you’re expecting bull riders riding bicycles at a you’ll be disappointed, but Pack 1323 from Laytonsville, MD, did something just as cool this past August. The bike rodeo was held in an open parking lot to teach Scouts bike riding safety and techniques. Scouts learned about safety inspections, hand signals, helmet safety, and safe braking. One Scout remarked how his favorite part of the event was the “Slow Race” where Scouts had to follow a large circle on the ground and ride as slowly as possible without letting their feet touch the ground. The Scout with the longest time would win! Overall the Scouts had a great time at this fun, interactive, and educational event.
Adventure
Ryan Krauss, Top MD Scout Orienteer
Ryan Krauss from Arlington Troop 111 (Chain Bridge District), was the top Maryland Scout Orienteer on Sept. 12 at Broad Creek Scout Reservation. On a tough, rocky course, 2019 champion Nate Beardmore from 347, Prince Frederick, Western Shore, had the lead most of the way, a bit ahead of 111’s Thomas Sullivan, 347’s Duncan Santerre, one Baltimore Area Scout, and Joey Hastings from 1321 in La Plata.
Amidst rigorous COVID precautions, 320 attendees did training and orienteered on color maps as in the attached picture. In that picture, can you see two problems with whomever hopes to find north!? If not, or even if so, mark you calendar for the 45th Annual MD Scout Orienteering Day on Oct. 23, 2021 at Patuxent River Park, Upper Marlboro, Also contact Jim Chaplin at JHChaplin@comcast.net about the big 15th annual spring 2021 DC area NCAC Scout Orienteering event!
Wood Badge Critters Seen at D.C. Landmarks
A little over 100 years ago, Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, led development of a training course for adult Scouters. The course, called Wood Badge, continues as Scouting’s premier (and only worldwide) adult training program. During two weekends of classroom and camping fun, the course participants learn about leadership through lecture and practical applications. By the end of the second weekend, the participants each develop a Ticket consisting of a vision and 5 goals that are focused on making a lasting impact on their home units. Upon completion of their Tickets, the participants are honored in a celebration of the occasion—a Wood Badge Beading.
On recent beautiful Sunday afternoons, two patrols from National Capital Area Council’s Fall 2018 Wood Badge Course held patrol beadings. On Sunday afternoon, Aug 30, the Antelope Patrol —Barry Brown, Joe Laville, Greg Fairbanks, Chris Noyes, Jim Kyger, and Bryan Dierlam —gathered on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The course Scoutmaster, Doug Carlson, and Karen Purinton, Antelope Troop Guide, presided over the ceremony which included more than 30 family, friends, and Scouters. Attendees represented essentially every Scout program and age group.
Just two weeks later, on Sep 13, the Fox Patrol—Sonja Kueppers, Tam Bui, Ed Apsey, Robert Kronenberg, and Stephen Khovananth—met at another beautiful D.C. landmark, Roosevelt Island, for their patrol beading. (Note that the Foxes met in the woods while the Antelopes met in an open field—just a coincidence?!) For this ceremony, Scoutmaster Doug Carlson and Troop Guide Bryan Martin Firvida were joined by family members in officially recognizing these Scouters for their accomplishments.
The photos, including one of Antelope Bryan Dierlam and his children, William (Scout in Troop 500) and daughter, Emma (Webelos 1 in Pack 230), another of Fox Sonja Kuepper and her daughter, Erika Pfeifer (First Class in Troop 1123), and Fox Ed Apsey, his wife Margaret, and son, Odin (rising Arrow of Life in Pack 1152) are evidence that Scouting continues to have a bright future as a family movement!
Troop 26 Kicks ILST into High Gear!
Lord Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting, said “The sport in Scouting is to find the good in every [Scout] and develop it.” To that end, Aquia District’s Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!”) held its semi-annual Introduction to Leadership for Troops (ILST) training on September 12, 2020. As you can see from the pictures, Scouts observed COVID-19 safety protocols and had fun with a purpose!
ILST introduces Scouts, from ages twelve to seventeen, to leadership skills required to effectively lead other Scouts – leadership skills that can easily be applied to all aspects of their lives including school, sports, their religious communities and other activities outside of Scouting. ILST is the first of several formal leadership courses Scouts may attend throughout their Scouting careers.
The ILST curriculum is a diverse combination of lecture, open-ended dialogue, team-building exercises, video presentations, pizza and fun with a purpose! ILST focuses on Troop organization and the conduct of Scout activities using the Patrol Method – after all, 
Troops are meant to be Scout-led! As Baden-Powell said: “The best progress is made in those Troops where power and responsibility are really put into the hands of the Patrol Leaders.” And as B-P taught Scoutmasters: “Don’t do too much of what should be done by the [Scouts] themselves; see that they do it. ‘When you want a thing done don’t do it yourself’ is the right motto.”
ILST includes discussion and training on roles and responsibilities, vision, servant leadership, as well as leadership tools such as communication, planning and teaching. ILST also delves into the power of teamwork, including stages of team development, inclusion, and leadership ethics and values. The value that Scouts receive from their own Youth and Adult Leaders’ instruction and the open-ended dialogue is important to understanding that every Scout has value. A powerful lesson that, regardless of age or capabilities, diversity of thought and experiences actually make for a stronger Troop.
Team building exercises such as juggling balloons demonstrates the importance of delegation and role 
definition – no one can do it all themselves – not even the great Lord Baden Powell! Other team building activities such as flag plucking, adopt-a-rock and the telephone game (I know you all remember that one!) demonstrate stages of team development, embracing diversity and principles of communication. And of course, pizza and fun illustrate that leadership, although hard and serious work, should be fun too!
Developing leadership (and followership) in young and maturing Scouts is a critical element to achieving Scouting’s vision to prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law. Eleven Scouts from Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!”) are now poised to be stronger leaders not only in their Troop but also in their respective communities. We are proud to call them our leaders of tomorrow!
Goshen Family Camp Highlights!
Labor Day Family Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation was a great time! Check out our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GoshenNCAC, for more highlights from the weekend.
Troop 58 Takes on Northern Tier High Adventure!
On July 18th, 2020, a crew of 2 adults and 6 scouts from Troop 58 in Ashburn, VA went to Northern Tier in Ely, Minnesota. Over 5 days and 4 nights, they canoed and portaged over 50 miles. Traveling from lake to lake, river to river, they shared stories and laughter. Every day was a new adventure for these S couts as they explored the wilderness. From wading through swamps to putting on wet socks, they truly experienced a high adventure out in the Boundary Waters. Their most memorable moments were seeing unique landmarks and cave drawings that represented the history of the native tribes that lived there. Through restless nights and rainy days, the crew persevered and made memories that would last a lifetime.