We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Adventure

Ryan Krauss, Top MD Scout Orienteer

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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

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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!

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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!

Troop 58 Takes on Northern Tier High Adventure!

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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.

 

Planning for the Future: Sea Scout Long Cruise Challenge 2020

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Participating in a Long Cruise is the goal of every Sea Scout ship; however, the planning process is both challenging and demanding. Especially for growing ships, the immense tasks that loom in front of Long Cruise planners can be daunting. All too familiar with these struggles – having experienced them firsthand – we asked ourselves how we could not only encourage, but also empower ships to pursue Long Cruise planning. A Long Cruise can be incredibly rewarding, not only for the scouts participating in the actual event, but also for the scouts involved in the arduous planning process.

We – the NCAC Sea Scout Quarterdeck – devoted many planning sessions to brainstorming ideas that would closely imitate the lessons and experiences gained from participating in a Long Cruise. Although it was unlikely that any ship would be able to participate in a real Long Cruise this summer, we continued to search for solutions. How could we incentivize Long Cruise planning, even in a time where communication was challenging? How could we make resources available to growing ships who have never had the opportunity to plan a Long Cruise before? How could we involve the entire community of Sea Scouts, not only in the National Capital Area Council, but also in the entire nation? The culmination of our efforts and extensive planning produced the Sea Scout Long Cruise Challenge 2020.

The competition officially launched on July 21st, and it will run until August 31st, giving ships a month’s time to commit to a plan, delegate assignments, and create a boarding manual and video for presentation. Creating meal plans, assigning roles, researching marinas and routes – Long Cruise planners will find that there is plenty that must be done in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Whether planning a budget or arranging for transportation, the logistics and planning that is required for a Long Cruise also requires effective teamwork, reliable leadership, and resourceful delegation. Throughout the duration of the event, the NCAC Sea Scout Quarterdeck will continue to offer tips and advice through flyers and social media posts to ensure that all components of the Long Cruise plan are receiving sufficient attention.

Components of a submission include a Boarding Manual and short promotional video presentation that will be graded by a panel of judges. Success can be obtained through careful attention to three factors: depth and detail of information, professionalism of the material, and strength of the speakers. As long as appropriate consideration is exhibited for each component of the criteria, Long Cruise planning submissions also have the potential to showcase a ship’s creativity and resourcefulness.

The winning submission will have the opportunity to participate in a one-week Long Cruise aboard the SSTV der PeLiKan, a 46-foot Morgan ketch situated on the Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore, Maryland. Friends of Sea Scouting of Maryland (FOSSOM) – a 501(c)3 non-profit who operates the boat for the benefit of the Sea Scout program – will provide a BSA-registered captain, and cover fuel, moorings, and docking fees to an amount not to exceed $300. More information regarding the grand prize can be found in our event’s boarding manual. Ships interested in registering or are interested in obtaining more information can have their skipper send an email to NCACSeaScouts@gmail.com.
Long Cruise planning is similar to the large-scale projects one might see at school or at work. They can be incredibly frustrating. They can be challenging. They can be confusing. But the frustration, the obstacles, and the confusion all contribute to creating impactful, purposeful experiences that truly shape youth leaders. Large-scale planning projects create opportunities for growth, both within the team and within individuals. They create environments that require communication and conflict resolution. And the result of such arduous labor can create an experience of a lifetime.