Adventure

Scouting CARES goes to Day Camp!

July 18, 2024 by Mickey Nemier

Excitement filled the air as five eager Scouting CARES (Character, Achievement, Respect, Education, and STEM) students from St. Francis Xavier embarked on a thrilling day at Patuxent Day Camp in Bowie, MD. Their excitement grew even further on the car ride there, ready to dive into a day of outdoor fun and learning.

When they arrived, the Scouts were given the honor of leading the flag-raising ceremony and watched as the flag unfurled against the blue sky.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. The Scouts took center stage for the daily weather report, channeling their inner TV presenters as they shared the forecast with fellow campers.

However, the real showstopper of the day was the fishing expedition as five enthusiastic kids learning the art of casting. The looks of concentration on their faces as they attempted to perfect their technique were priceless. While the fish seemed to be on vacation that day, the sheer joy of being lakeside was infectious. The students’ laughter echoed across the water as they celebrated each other’s fish, or no fish, attempts.

As their day of adventure comes to an end, the tired but happy campers start their journey back to school. The ride home was peaceful, with drooping eyelids and content smiles telling the tale of a day well spent in the outdoors.

This amazing day at Patuxent Day Camp wasn’t just about fun and games – it was about building confidence, fostering teamwork, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Backpacking Adventure in Wyoming

July 16, 2024 by Joe McMullin

During the last week of June 2024, when the National Capital Region was at or above 100 degrees, a contingency trek of 13 Scouts and 6 Scouters sponsored by the NCAC High Adventure Committee flew to Wyoming. On Sunday, they first visited Yellowstone National Park and Old Faithful, seeing lots of wildlife including bison, mule deer and other small mammals. They then drove south to Grand Teton National Park and did a first day hike to Taggert Lake to acclimate to the high elevations, hiking from 6,000 feet to 7,500 feet for 7 miles. They then visited the town of Jackson, Wyoming to see the sites.

On Monday, they hiked from the Granite Creek Campground for 9 miles hiking from 6,500 feet to 8,500 feet for more acclimation, followed by a unique experience of swimming in a pool constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. The pool is fed by hot springs and snowmelt.

On Tuesday they began their backpacking trek at the Big Sandy Trailhead of 9,120 feet hiking to Big Sandy Lake at 10,250 feet, hiking 8.4 miles. The fish were plentiful and everyone casting caught 6 or more fish each.

On Wednesday, they hiked 10.7 miles to the top of Jackass Pass at 10,805 feet through knee high snowbanks. Due to the high snow conditions they had the thrill of sliding down snowbanks to get to the trail and camped at Lizard Head Meadow at 10,031 feet.

On Thursday they hiked 13.5 miles to Valentine Lake at 10,433 but had to climb along the Lizard Head Trail at 11,857 feet. Heavy breathing due to thin air slowed the trek, but the beauty of the tall peaks and mountains inspired them.

On Friday, they hiked the most strenuous leg of their trek climbing to the top of Washakie Pass at 11,624 feet. The pass was covered by several feet of snow, but with good boots and hiking poles to steady their progress, everyone made it. They finished the hike after hiking 12.7 miles camping beside Shadow Lake at 10,140 feet.

On Saturday they hiked 13.3 miles back to the Big Sandy Trailhead with a stream crossing of icy cold snow melt water to cool everyone off.

Total distance backpacked 58.6 miles with stunning beauty of the Wind River Range to inspire them to visit again in the future.

Pinewood Derby at the U.S. Capitol!

July 11, 2024 by Cynthia Griffiths

Yesterday, July 10, 2024, was a very exciting and energetic day for Scouting! As part of the “Scouting The Hill” reception, our Cub Scout Pack 98 from Washington, DC set up and raced a Pinewood Derby in the U.S. Capitol for members of Congress! We believe this was the very first time a Pinewood Derby was held at the Capitol. Thank you to the Pack leadership for making this happen!

The event was hosted by Scouting America in partnership with the bipartisan Scouting Congressional Caucus. We were pleased that NCAC contributed to this historic event in such a fun way for members of Congress and their staff (many who were themselves Scouts!).

Formal remarks were made by the co-chairs of the Scouting Caucus, Scouting America Scout Executive/CEO Roger Krone, and special guest COL Mike Fossum who is a former American astronaut, engineer, and the Chief Operating Officer of Texas A&M University at Galvestonand.

The Scouting Congressional Caucus comprised Congressmen who were Scouts as youth, are Scouts as adults, or who support the efforts of the international Scouting movement. NCAC was honored to assist with this legislative effort.

Photos can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/140520854@N03/albums/72177720318722934/

A Great and Fun Week at Scout Camp!

July 8, 2024 by Eva Cook

Hi, I’m Eva, and I had a lot of fun at Cub Scout camp. I had so much fun that I decided to share my adventures!

I liked everything we did, from archery to BB’s and everything in between. The Beekeeper was a surprise but was a delight. Also, I loved tasting honey and making Bee hives with the other scouts (my dad won’t let me put the Bee hive in our backyard because it attracts carpenter bees!🤣).

I had a blast!😁 I can’t wait till next summer so I can come again!

Loudoun Scouts Host District Camp at Murray Hill

June 28, 2024 by Dena McGuiggan

This week, our favorite wedding venue in Loudoun County has been taken over by nearly 130 Cub Scouts from dens all around the area!

The Barn at Murray Hill, just east of Leesburg, is now the site for this year’s Goose Creek District day camp. Scouts from first through fifth grade are here, and it’s the first time that the awesome owners, Peggy and John Rust, have let us use their property.

We started camp on Monday, but on Sunday, our amazing adult and youth leaders transformed the venue into a scout paradise, just hours after a wedding that even had an Eagle Scout groom!

Throughout the week, we’re having a blast making harmonicas and slingshots, learning first aid, improving our wilderness and sports skills, practicing with bow and arrows and BB rifles, and trying to catch fish in the pond. Nurses from the GW School of Nursing are running our First Aid station, ensuring we’re safe while having fun.

Our staff is a mix of volunteers of all ages, from seasoned scouters whose kids have aged out but who still love to be involved to young adults who have just crossed over and brand-new Scouts who have just joined a Troop. We have Cub Scouts of all ages here, from new Tigers to Arrow of Light scouts. It’s been an unforgettable adventure!

Scouts meet Former President during Annual Memorial Day Service Event!

May 29, 2024 by Mickey Nemier

Members of Troops 1107B/G gathered at Alexandria National Cemetery for the Troops’ annual Memorial Day service event, placing flags and flowers on each of the graves of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Former President Barack Obama was also in attendance, speaking prior to the distribution and honoring several service members by placing flags on their final resting places. According to the Military Times, there are more than 4,000 graves at Alexandria National Cemetery, and typically, a president is not part of the event put on by the Veterans of Foreign War Post 609.

Obama said, also according to Military Times, “One of the greatest honors of my life was the privilege of serving as commander-in-chief, and with pride also came sometimes heartbreak and loss.”

He added, “And the sober recognition of the sacrifices that so many Americans and their families have made to preserve our freedom. As we go out here, I hope that we just reflect and say a prayer for and say thanks for those who came before us. And for those of you who are still serving those of you who may be serving in the future, thanks to you as well.”

Thomas (TJ) D. of Troop 1107B in the Colonial District was among the members who first handed out the flags and flowers to other volunteers before placing them on the graves himself. He said of the annual event, “I do the flags every year to honor the people who give their life for this country, and this is a way to honor them each year with the Flags In and Wreaths Across America.”

TJ met Mr. Obama after the event. Although the former president was leaving, Obama took a moment to shake TJ’s hand and spent a few minutes talking with him about being a Scout and earning an Eagle.

Victoria W. of Troop 1107G said, “Being at the Memorial Day remembrance was a very special and significant thing for people, and especially for me as a scout to do. Memorial Day is more about remembering those who died to save us and our country and making sure that they receive the respect and admiration that they worked so hard to earn. Even with the surprise and exciting visit from former President Obama, I think the main focus was on those who had their names inscribed on the tombstones, with flags and flowers in honor of them lying there as well. I am very proud that we got to help, whether it be handing out flowers and flags or laying/placing those flags and flowers on the graves. I am thankful for all the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, and appreciative that I was invited to help show my gratitude.”

Troop 1107G’s Sophie W. said, “I thought putting the flags and flowers by the graves was important because we were honoring the people who served in the military and who died while serving. It felt good to know that we were able to honor them. I also thought it was really cool that former President Obama was there. I haven’t met a President before and not a lot of people get to meet one. It was cool that I was standing about six feet from a former President!”

Her brother Sean W., a Cub Scout in Pack 867, said, “I wanted to help put flags in because it’s like the wreath-laying we did last December. We are remembering the people who died serving our country, and that’s important. It was exciting to see former President Obama. I wish I could have gotten his autograph and shaken his hand.”

Troop 1107B’s Troop Guide, Caleb W., said, “Placing the flags and flowers on each grave illustrated the Scout Law that all Scouts should live by. “The Scout Law emphasizes reverence as one of the most important parts of a Scout’s life, while we were honoring the sacrifices of all the men and women who had made the ultimate sacrifice. The experience of meeting former President Obama was cool, and although he previously held presidential office, that day he was just like us, just there to give back to those who gave everything.”

According to the cemetery’s website, Alexandria National Cemetery was one of the first 14 national cemeteries created in 1862. Its graves date back to the Civil War. Within two years, the cemetery was nearly filled, leading to the creation of Arlington National Cemetery. To read more about the cemetery and some of the notable people buried there, visit the cemetery’s website.