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Adventure

Fall Cavalcade at the Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch in the Davis Moutains

December 10, 2019 by Keenan Pallone

NCAC Scouts and a few leaders have successfully completed the Fall Cavalcade 2019 at the Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch (BTSR) in the Davis Mountains of West Texas!This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WeOwnAdventure-1.jpg

It was an incredible adventure. Our crew consisted of seven Scouts and two adults from three different troops across the National Capital Area Council. We completed a shakedown campout and trail ride at Red Gate Farm in Bluemont, Virginia from September 28-29, 2019 to build familiarity amongst our team, to test all of our gear, and to assess the riding and horse handling ability of each crew member.

Following a successful shakedown, we embarked on our cavalcade adventure on Friday October 11. We flew from Washington to Midland, Texas where we were met by members of the BTSR staff. This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WeOwnAdventure-2.jpgThe staff then drove us an additional 2.5 hours to the ranch where we had dinner and bedded down for the night. Early the next morning, we arose to feed the horses and review tacking procedures. Once each of the crew prepared his horse, we set out for two days of backcountry horse camping along with our two wranglers from the BTSR staff.

The terrain through which we rode in the Davis Mountains was both spectacular and challenging. We rode across epic ridgelines and down lush valleys. We rode our horses across narrow rocky ledges, through rushing mountain streams and into dense valley forests.This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WeOwnAdventure-3-1.jpgThis image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WeOwnAdventure-4.jpg

Along the way, we dismounted to see some amazing local sites, like ancient Native American rock paintings and glorious picturesque waterfalls. All in all, we rode about 25 miles over two days (with about six hours in the saddle each day) including almost 2,000 feet of change in elevation. This riding experience was not for the faint of heart. During the course of the ride, three of our crew were thrown from their horses (including the Scout with the most riding experience, one of the adult wranglers and one of the adult crew advisors). None sustained serious injuries, and all were able to continue on with the cavalcade.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WeOwnAdventure-5.jpgThe Scouts worked together magnificently. They bonded well during the shakedown campout and that sense of teamwork carried through the cavalcade itself. Whether helping each other with tacking their horses or making their meals together on the trail, the Scouts functioned as a strong team. More significantly, each of them demonstrated exceptional fortitude for young people as well as good horsemanship skills. Many of the challenges on the trail presented by the terrain were significant, yet the Scouts did not shrink from them. They learned how to partner with their horses as well as how to direct them to negotiate obstacles in field. Finally, all of them grew as people and deepened their reservoir of courage and character from which to draw when facing future challenges. The boys completed a true “high adventure” in fine fashion.
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This experience would not have been possible without the assistance of our partners from the Middleburg Hunt, Red Gate Farm, and the BTSR.

The Middleburg Hunt, one of the oldest foxhunting clubs in Virginia, graciously donated $1,000 to provide camperships for needy families and to subsidize the overall cost of the trip. With advanced planning and frugal budgeting, we were able to keep the cost of this four-day horseback riding adventure to $765 per participant (including air fare and all horse fees). Nevertheless, this was still an expensive trip and the donation from Middleburg Hunt was greatly appreciated.

Red Gate Farm provided us with amazing facilities and staff to perform our shakedown campout and trail ride. They let us camp right on their property and gave us incredibly reasonable rates for the use of their grounds for camping and for a practice trail ride. Without their generous support, we would not have been ready for the cavalcade.This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WeOwnAdventure-7-1-1024x768.jpg

Everything about the experience at the BTSR was exceptional. The staff were incredibly welcoming and accommodating, from picking us up at the airport, feeding us upon arrival, and making us feel very much at home. All of the horses that we rode were physically sound and without behavioral vices. The tack was serviceable and the terrain was fantastic. Most importantly, the BTSR Cavalcade Program Director Bob Hansler and his wife Shauna were nothing short of superb. They taught our Scouts with deep knowledge of the horses and the terrain.They had a great sense of the experiences that the environment and our timeline could offer the Scouts even as they kept foremost in their minds the safety and well-being of our crew. The program that Bob and Shauna are responsible for building and maintaining at BTSR rivals any equine experience available to Scouts anywhere in the country, including at Philmont Scout Ranch. Further, the fact that the BTSR offers its cavalcade program all year around in addition to in the summers (as is only the case at Philmont) makes going on a horseback high adventure over a long four-day weekend during the academic year a unique opportunity. The BTSR Cavalcade should definitely be considered as an exciting high adventure opportunity for other Scouting units both during the summer and throughout the academic year.This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WeOwnAdventure-8.jpg

The Chain Bridge District now has a bona fide horsemanship program for Scouts in the entire NCAC. Since 2017, we have helped over 50 Scouts (both boys and girls) to earn the Horsemanship Merit Badge. We have successfully completed a high adventure horseback riding activity. We have identified partners both within our council and across the country to support this program. Most importantly, we have helped youth to see how they can learn and live the values of Scouting through the equestrian arts.

For information contact:

Reuben Brigety

Chain Bridge District Horsemanship Program Director

Filed Under: Adventure Tagged With: High Adventure, merit badge, On The Trail With..., Scouts BSA

Ashburn’s Troop 58 Carries the Olympic Torch!

December 9, 2019 by Jill McClelland

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With the lighting of the Olympic flame, Troop 58’s 2019 Patrol Challenge campout was opened at the Northern Virginia Lions Youth Camp in Boyce, VA! Twenty-nine Scouts in four patrols participated in several Scout skills-based challenges throughout the weekend of Oct 25-27.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Patrol-Challenge-1-1-150x150-1.jpgIn past years, our Patrol Challenge outing has had a Scottish Highland Games or other exotic theme; the challenges this year were based on the Olympic Games including long jump, relay race, shot put, volleyball and soccer. Additional challenges included best dinner/dessert, best campfire skit/song, highest patrol attendance and patrol wearing the most togas! All challenges were scored by the PLC and this year’s winning patrol – the Eagles – had its name inscribed on the back of Troop 58’s totem (affectionately known as “Jim”).

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Patrol-Challenge-2-2-150x150-1.jpgThe Eagles Patrol have also earned bragging rights for a full year until the 2020 Patrol Challenge campout! Additional excitement over the weekend included a bear sighting in the early evening Saturday as the Scouts were preparing dinner. This gave the Scouts an opportunity to review bear safety including locking up all food, trash and anything else scented and to be sure to follow the buddy system very closely. The Patrol Challenge Campout is always well attended and is one of the troop’s favorite outings.

Filed Under: Adventure, At Camp Tagged With: Eagle Scout, scouting

Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Open to Sea Scouts

December 3, 2019 by Todd Skiles

The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Association (CBYCA), a network of 100 yacht clubs and associations around the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waters, has granted Partner status to Sea Scout Ships who operate in those waters. The designation, essentially a gift to the Sea Scouts, opens up marinas and other resources to Sea Scouts who are out and about exploring the beautiful waters of the Bay. The designation allows Sea Scouts Ships to request support, including overnight docking, as available, from CBYCA affiliated yacht clubs and associations. Sea Scouts may also be granted access to showers, restrooms, laundry, restaurants, andespecially SWIMMING pools at the often exquisite venues all around the Bay. Specific support available and related fees will be at the discretion of the hosting yacht club or association.

The Commodores of the BSA Areas and Councils surrounding the Chesapeake are drafting specific behavioral rules governing unit interactions with the clubs. Until then, Adult Leaders should carry a laminated copy of their current, unexpired BSA membership card (available through my.scouting.org if needed) to show the manager as needed. Boatswains should call the respective club in advance to ensure availability of slip space and support. Otherwise – go and explore! (And obey the Scout Oath and Law at all times!)

Filed Under: Adventure Tagged With: scouting, Sea Scouts

Leave No Trace Trainer Course

November 20, 2019 by Quinton Waddy

My name is Quinton Waddy, I am the Outdoor Ethics Guide for Troop 1188 in Manassas, VA. I am a Life Scout working on my Eagle Scout rank. During a weekend in October my father and I took the Leave No Trace Trainer course, which is recognized by Scouts BSA, and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout programs all include outdoor stewardship, care for the environment, and Leave No Trace as part of their programs. This Course is designed to enhance your understanding of Leave No Trace practices and outdoor ethics, and to increase your level of expertise and confidence in teaching Leave No Trace skills.

My experience taking the LNT Trainer course was amazing. You can take the course in a car-camping setting or as a backpacking trip, I chose the backpacking trip for a more hands-on experience. I met many wonderful people and made new friends. There are seven parts to LNT: Plan Ahead and Prepare; Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces; Dispose of Waste Properly; Leave What You Find; Minimize Campfire Impacts; Respect Wildlife; and Be Considerate of Other Visitors.

I enjoyed my time learning about the different parts of LNT from keeping our environment clean to digging cat holes. I went in thinking it was going to be an awkward and boring weekend, but I enjoyed every second of it because of the fun and games each trainee had planned for their subjects they had to teach. I taught Pack it in Pack it out. I had my fellow trainees play a matching game with the time it takes an item to be processed back into the earth and the chronological order of them to degrade. They had a fun time figuring it out and it worked on their communication, leadership, and teambuilding skills. The program gets everyone in attendance involved, anyone participating will teach a subject and play the games that are created by the teacher of each subject.

This program has helped me and my Troop out so much already. I had the Scouts in my Troop and in the Cub Scouts practice Leave No Trace while they were doing Scouting for Food. Leave No Trace is a great program and I recommend that all Scouts take it because it goes more in depth to the meaning of our Outdoor Code.

Here is a website on LNT and Tread Lightly where you can take online quizzes and earn awards. https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/outdoor-ethics/awards/scouts-bsa/

Filed Under: Adventure, Scouting Programs Tagged With: Leadership, outdoor ethics, scouting, training

Pack 572 Leaves No Trace

November 19, 2019 by Edward Apsey

 

Last month the theme for our pack meeting was Leave No Trace. Ms. Holtz came to our meeting and taught us about the Outdoor Code and the Leave No Trace Principles. She showed us how to be safe in the outdoors, and what we can do as Scouts to keep the environment clean.

We also got to play some fun games where we learned about how long different types of trash take to break down. Let’s just say that styrofoam never goes away!

I never thought about what she called ‘micro trash’ before. That’s what happens when you just peel off a corner of a granola bar and it gets lost in the leaves on the ground. It’s easy to lose and not good for the environment.

Everyone had a great time and learned a lot. Thank you, Ms. Holtz!

Scout Odin Apsey
Pack 572
Den 2

For more information on the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award for Cubs vistit: http://www.ncacbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/New-NCAC-Outdoor-Ethics-Awareness-award.pdf

Filed Under: Adventure, Scouting Programs Tagged With: outdoor ethics, scouting

Troops 111, 439, 647 Tops at Orienteering!

November 19, 2019 by Dave Linthicum

NCAC tied their own record of nine of the top twelve troops at the 43rd Annual Maryland Scout Orienteering Championships on Nov. 2, led by Chain Bridge District’s Troop 111 from Arlington, Potomac District’s Troop 439 in Kensington (teamed with a Howard County unit), and Arlington’s Troop 647.

The super-competitive Advanced competition was won with a time of 42:12 by Nate Beardmore of Western Shores Troop 347 in Prince Frederick, the fifth overall unit (teamed with Chesapeake Beach Troop 429.) Not far behind were Rockville Troop 944 teamed with Patriot District Venture Crew 1345 from Burke, and La Plata Troop 1321. Nate edged out Jeremy Bloom from Rockville Troop 1450 by two minutes, 111’s Thomas Sullivan, and 1321’s Christian Decker.

Over 775 attended this map training and competition event at Broad Creek Scout Res. north of Baltimore, including over 60 girls. Amongst 110 teams in the Older category, 111’s Houston Burnside and Jon Hales plus Owen Caputo and Kaden Carpenter were the top NCAC teams, with Milo Engel and Keni McBee from Venture Crew 1130, McLean. Topping the Younger competition’s100 teams from NCAC were 111’s Andrew Hales and Michael Corso, 647’s Connor Jones and Aiden Madden, and Charlie Conroy and Felix Shareno from DC’s Troop 1946.

For Troop 111, it was a record tenth time finishing in the top two troops at this event. Everyone completed several beginner to intermediate map training courses, then competed on two orienteering courses. As with the past few years, the top 14 places in the Older category were captured by twelve different troops, and eight different troops nabbed the top nine in the Younger competition! Troops from NJ, DE, PA, MD, DC, and VA took part.

On March 21, 2020, Jim Chaplin’s 15th Annual NCAC Scout Orienteering Day will be at Pohick Bay; reach Jim at jhchaplin@comcast.net. In 2020 the 44th Annual MD Scout Orienteering Day will be at Patuxent River Park near Upper Marlboro October 24; you’ll find more details (and full results from 2019) at BaltimoreBSA.org/orienteering, plus information via qocweb.org for good orienteering events suitable for scouts on most winter and spring weekends.

Photos by: Stan Turk

Filed Under: Adventure, Scouting Programs Tagged With: leaders, Orienteering, scouting

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