Adventure

Aquia District’s 12th Annual Bear Claw Leadership Conference is Gearing Up!

February 20, 2020 by Mike Haas

The 12th Annual Aquia District Bear Claw Leadership Conference registration page is now open! Bear Claw will be held on March 28, 2020 in Stafford, VA and is a day-long leadership conference run entirely by our Youth Staff who’s Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is busy getting the Staff ready through a series of four Staff Development sessions. Bear Claw is open to Troops, Crews and Ships. Scouts & Adults can register at https://scoutingevent.com/082-27302

For those unfamiliar with the program, Bear Claw is an exciting, action-packed program designed to offer Scouts training on leadership skills and provide Scouts practical experience and ideas to take back and use in their home units and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. Bear Claw is a one-day interactive leadership training event designed by Scouts for Scouts. It is a District-level leadership workshop and is intended to bridge the leadership training gap between Introduction to Leadership Skills (ILSx) offered by Scout units and the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) program offered at the Council level.

There is also an adult breakout session designed to share ideas and help adults gain a better understanding of how running a Scout program using the Youth-led Patrol Method benefits their Scouts and Scout unit. This session is open to all registered adults and parents too, including Webelos II parents. Come take a deep dive into the Patrol Method – as Baden-Powell said: “The patrol system is not one method in which Scouting for [Youth] can be carried on. It is the only method.”

Content is delivered in a Troop and Patrol setting by trained Youth Staffers who are experienced Scouts. Participants, with their Scoutmaster’s/Crew Adviser’s/Skipper’s approval, may choose between the Patrol Leader or Senior Patrol Leader track. Throughout the Bear Claw training day all participants will learn how to more effectively lead their Scout units using the Patrol Method. They will see how a Scout program can achieve results with minimal adult oversight through proper planning, communication and team development.

By offering a training track for adults who want to better understand the Youth-led/Adult-mentored Patrol Method concepts, Bear Claw provides an excellent opportunity to get Scouts, Scouters and Parents on the same page and to share best practices and cross-pollinate ideas for what’s working and not in their home units. Again, going back to the words of our founder, Baden-Powell: “The object of the Patrol Method is not so much saving the Scoutmaster trouble as to give responsibility to the [Scout].”

WHY BEAR CLAW?

Every Scout deserves well-trained leaders. Regardless of a Scout’s program affiliation, Bear Claw provides exposure to leadership skills that hopefully reinforce and expand upon lessons learned through their unit’s ILSx training and provides a bridge to promote attending NYLT. Bear Claw offers Scouts a leadership training environment with Scouts from other units across the District – this opportunity to meet and talk about Scout leadership challenges with Scouts from other units is an invaluable part of the experience and hopefully encourages Bear Claw graduates to continue their Scout leadership training through NYLT. The Bear Claw Youth Staff also demonstrates that the Youth-led Patrol Method can work quite well with minimal adult supervision. As The Ancient One (TAO) has been known to say: “Adults are meant to be seen, not heard!”

Over the course of the Bear Claw leadership conference, participants are exposed to six of the eleven leadership skills or competencies, originally offered in BSA’s Junior Leader Training (JLT) program, using Buzz Groups and practical application – including a SPL-led Patrol Leader Council (PLC) meeting, a PLC-planned/executed Troop meeting and PLC-planned/executed closing campfire where Patrols and Staff have fun putting on skits, songs and cheers before the closing ceremony.

This course is built around the BE-KNOW-DO of leadership:

What a leader must BE

What a leader must KNOW

What a leader must DO

Registration is only $25 per participant until March 1, 2020 and $30 after March 1st. Registration normally fills up quickly so don’t delay. Did we mention your registration also includes lunch? You can register at https://scoutingevent.com/082-27302

If you are not a member of an Aquia District Scout unit and would like to attend or learn more about Bear Claw leadership training, please contact our Aquia Bear Claw Coordinator, Ken Buszta at ken.buszta@gmail.com. Our 2020 Bear Claw Course Director & Scoutmaster is Aleska Buszta and she can be reached at aquia.bearclaw@gmail.com

Meet your 2020 Goshen Camp Directors!

February 4, 2020 by Goshen Scout Reservation

We are pleased to announce the team of Camp Directors for Goshen Scout Reservation 2020! If you ever have any questions about camp or the programs we provide, please visit www.GoToGoshen.org to get in touch with your camp director.

Phil Barbash, Goshen Scout Reservation Director

Phil is excited to begin his 18th summer working on staff at Goshen Scout Reservation. It will also be his 5th year as the Director of Operations. Beforehand, he worked 10 summers at Camp Bowman, with the last three as the Camp Director. He has served in various positions including Ecology Instructor, First Year Camper Director, and Camp Commissioner. He currently serves as NCAC’s Director of Camping with oversight over Goshen, Camp Snyder, Camp Airy, and Camp Wall.

Carl Trocki, Camp Bowman Director

This will be Carl’s 19th summer as a Goshen staff member, and 14th summer at Camp Bowman. Carl has experience in many different areas of camp, including: Camp Director at Bowman and Lenhok’sin, a myriad of program staff positions and even as an NCAC District Executive. When not at Goshen, Carl lives in Australia, working as a high school teacher/administrator/outdoor educator, and runs a successful watersports business at the beach. Carl is excited to return to Bowman as Camp Director for another summer, and hopes to help maintain the many traditions which have made Camp Bowman such a powerful and positive influence on so many young people.

Chris Warner, Camp Marriott Director

Chris is going on his tenth year working at Goshen. He started coming as a scout to Camp Bowman in 2008. He worked on staff at Bowman in Scoutcraft, Aquatics, and Facilities. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2015. Chris is very excited to be continuing the tremendous program that Camp Marriott offers. In the months outside of summer camp, he attends the Business school at Salisbury University.

Tom Van Patten, Camp Olmsted Director

This summer will be Tom’s 9th year on the Goshen staff and his first at Camp Olmsted! Tom previously worked at Camp Bowman as the Program Director. He also worked in several areas including Nature and Scoutcraft. He has also served on the National Camping School Ecology staff. Outside of Scouting, Tom is a recent graduate of Lycoming College and an avid birder. He resides in Montgomery County, MD and works as a cabinetmaker. Working with scouts is a deeply gratifying experience for Tom and he looks forward to positively impacting the lives of young people this summer through the methods of Scouting.

Michael Filmonchik, Camp PMI Director

This will be Michael’s 4th summer at Goshen Scout Reservation and his first as Camp Director. He has worked in areas such as scoutcraft and shooting sports and is excited to be PMI’s Camp Director this summer. He loves Goshen Scout Reservation and values the everlasting experience it provides to scouts. When Michael is not at Goshen he is enrolled in the Masters of Teaching program at VCU. Michael attended PMI as a scout and is very excited to continue the legacy that made him fall in love with Scouting.

Richard Holtslander, Camp Ross Director

Richard attended Ross as a scout, and joined the Camp Ross Staff as early as he could. Since Richard’s first Summer in 2011 he has worked in various positions at camp, learning what it means to be part of the Ross Staff. This will be Richard’s tenth Summer working at Ross and first Summer as Camp Director. When Richard is not at camp he attends Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and is studying for a Bachelors in Mathematics with a Minor in Environmental Science. Richard is excited for the new challenges the position will bring, and is looking forward to working with Scouts to have a great Summer and introduction to Scouting!

Griffin Linehan, Lenhok’sin High Adventure Director

This will be Griff’s 3rd year at Lenhok’sin. He has worked at BSA camps of all sorts since he was 13 years old. He has specifically worked at a lot of trek based camps and interpretive camps in leadership roles. Outside of camp, Griff teaches seventh grade enriched science. He is currently working on his Doctorate for Educational Policy, Measurement, & Evaluation. He is looking forward to working hard with the staff and providing a quality program this summer.

Learn more about our two Webelos Camps, three Scouts BSA & Venturing Camps, and Lenhok’sin High Adventure and all the adventures they have to offer on our website at www.gotogoshen.org.

Pinewood Derby Fun

February 4, 2020 by Jodi Gardiner

My son Jacob (8) looks forward to the Pinewood derby every year. As far as a year in advance he thinks about what kind of car he wants to build. He first draws out his car ideas, then carefully choses the theme and even suggests where to put the weights. He watches videos on how to build a fast car and does his own research.

No other kid in the room exudes as much excitement as he does on Derby day! It’s so much fun to watch him jump up and down and cheer on not just his car but his fellow scouts! This year after the race, he proudly set up his 3 derby cars and the awards he won at home in our cabinet.

I love that the derby not only teaches the kids the science behind the racing but gives them the satisfaction of designing and creating a car and watching the cars perform. It’s very rewarding for everyone involved. It teaches the kids they can do anything if they work hard enough at it. This year Jacob won “Most Patriotic” in the whole Pack and 3rd place for “speed” in his Bear den. He can’t wait for show-and-tell at school to show his classmates his car and awards this week!!!

Help NCAC Celebrate 100 Years of Camping!

January 30, 2020 by Craig Weston

The Council celebration of 100 years of NCAC summer camps is well underway, as we continue to celebrate the opening of Camp Roosevelt on the Maryland western shore as our first council summer camp in 1919!

To honor the long history of summer camping in the Council and to highlight the importance of the outdoors to the growth and development of Scouts, throughout 2020 we are encouraging Families, Webelos, Scouts, Venturers, Explorers and Sea Scouts to get involved by attending a camp (or cruise) overnight —- for a weekend or for a week (or two) at one of our summer camps!

Here’s what happening in the coming weeks:

Districts can hand out the free Camping Centennial Logo patch to those who attend the District Klondike Derby or Winter Camporee. Contact your District Executive before the event.
New to Scouting or camping and want to learn what gear you need and where to go? Sign up for Course ELC135 “Camping Opportunities in the NCAC” at the University of Scouting on February 29th.
Also, at the University of Scouting, take a walk-through history! Stop by the midway area to view displays of rare council camping memorabilia dating back over the past century.

Visit gotogoshen.org/summercamp or gotosnyder.com/summercamp and register today!

Stay tuned to WeOwnAdventure to learn about future special events and commemorative merchandise.

Troop 893G Builds an Awesome Klondike Derby Sled

January 27, 2020 by Dave Schneeman

In preparation for their first Klondike Derby competition, Scouts from Troop 893G came out to Michael’s Woodshop to construct their sled. The Scouts received a safety briefing and were provided instruction and guidance from a volunteer Shop Steward as well as from fellow Scouts with prior woodworking experience. The Scouts were able to learn and apply many useful woodworking skills; measuring & marking, drilling, gluing and clamping. They demonstrated that “a Scout is Thrifty” by using reclaimed redwood from an old swing set to build their sled. They also displayed great teamwork and were able to work from their concept drawing and raw materials to a substantially completed sled in just a few hours.

On January 18, the Troop competed in the Sully Distict Klondike Derby held at Camp Snyder. They had an impressive performance, taking second place in their first Klondike Derby competition. What an awesome team! Let their fellow competitors beware – Troop 893G already has their sights set on coming in first at next year’s event.

Looking for a great place to hold your own team building event? Michael’s Woodshop is a well-outfitted shop with the tools, equipment and plenty of work space for Scouts to create and learn. The shop may be reserved for Unit activities (all age groups), District events, Eagle Scout projects and other Scouting activities. Our volunteer Shop Stewards are all experienced woodworkers and are available to assist you in planning and carrying out a successful event.

For information about shop capabilities, upcoming events or reserving the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop page on the Camp Snyder website. You may also email questions and requests to MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

Little Sister Beats Big Brother at the Pinewood Derby

January 27, 2020 by Samantha Becker

Ethan and Camille both of Mechanicsville, MD Cub Scout Pack 1785 are pictured after Camille’s car beat her big brother’s car at the Pinewood Derby Race Day in a sibling race. My husband helped my son, Ethan (Den 6) build his car and I helped my daughter, Camille (Den 17) so it was a mom versus dad challenge as well and us girls won! They had to buy us lunch after the derby!