We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

At Camp

Building on 2006: Camp Snyder Alumni Association Kicks Off

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Camp William B. Snyder has been a fixture in Northern Virginia Scouting since its 2006 opening, hosting Cub World, summer camps, leadership trainings, weekend adventures, and service projects for thousands of youth and adult leaders. Now, the launch of the Camp Snyder Alumni Association offers a way for former staff, volunteers, and program participants to reconnect and preserve that camp legacy.

The association’s goal is simple: keep the spirit of Camp Snyder alive by connecting alumni and giving back to the camp through service. Whether you staffed one summer or ten, were a part of Woodbadge or NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training), led a station, or frequently volunteered, this is a chance to stay involved and help shape what comes next for the camp.

To mark the launch, the association is hosting its first gathering on Sunday, November 23, 2025, starting at 5:30 PM in the Camp Snyder Dining Hall. It’s a fun event filled with food, fellowship, games, and camp stories with fellow alumni from as far back as to when the camp first opened! Details here: https://tinyurl.com/cwbs-alumni-kickoff

Even if you can’t attend, but want to stay connected with the alumni circle, you’re encouraged to join the alumni email list to stay informed about future events: https://forms.gle/p9qgUs2Y8vJXRVzm7

This is a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the spirit of camp!

Questions? Email cwbs.alumni@gmail.com!

Summer Camp Planning: Introduction to Lenhok’sin High Adventure at Goshen Scout Reservation

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Summer camp is often described as the pinnacle of the Scouting year. High adventure is one of the pinnacles of the Scouting experience. Tune in to learn about our local high adventure, the types of experiences, and how to plan for your unit’s trek. Lenhok’sin High Adventure is your local high adventure base at the Goshen Scout Reservation, offering weeklong trek programs. Units can choose the Trail Trek with backpacking and adventure activities or the River Trek with whitewater canoeing on the James River. Leaders from Troops, Crews, and Ships can experience an east coast adventure with their unit and even prepare for a future experience at one of Scouting America’s National High Adventure Bases, like Philmont or Northern Tier.

Watch the recording:

You can also download the slides from the webinar here: /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Introduction-to-Lenhoksin-High-Adventure-Webinar_10-27-2025.pdf [PDF]

Looking for more resources, information, or registration links? Visit www.gotogoshen.org/lenhoksin

Summer Camp Planning: For Current Bear and Webelos Dens

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Summer camp is one of the highlights of the Scouting year. If you have a current Bear Den or current Webelos Den, then Camp Ross is the summer camp experience just for you! Camp Ross is a week-long camp just for Cub Scouts who are rising Webelos and rising Arrow of Light Scouts. With lots of fun activities – including swimming, boating, fishing, archery, BB shooting, hiking, crafting, and outdoor skills – it is the an amazing opportunity for your den to learn, grow, and get ready for an awesome upcoming year of adventure in their new rank as well as prepare them for the next step of the program – Scouts BSA.

Watch the recording:

You can also download the slides from the webinar here: Introduction to Camp Ross [PDF]

Looking for more resources? Get information, registration links, and the Summer Camp Planning Tool Kit at www.gotogoshen.org/ross

Summer Camp Planning: Introduction to Scouts BSA Summer Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation

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Summer camp is one of the highlights of the Scouting year. Goshen Scout Reservation (GSR) offers three resident camp opportunities for Scouts BSA Troops, and you’re invited to attend! Explore what GSR has to offer your Scouts, reflect why summer camp is a critical part of the Scouting experience, and learn how to register for 2026.

Miss the webinar? Watch the recording: https://youtu.be/j3gqi1l5kew

You can also download the slides from the webinar here: Introduction to Scouts BSA Summer Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation [PDF]

Looking for more resources, information, or registration links? Visit www.gotogoshen.org

Save the dates for upcoming webinars! All webinars are at 7pm Eastern Time.

For current Lions and Tigers (rising Tigers and Wolves)

Or others interested in Cub Scout Day Camp!

For current Bears/Webelos, Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts

For Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts

New Scout’s First Summer Camp

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My name is William C., and I am a member of Scouting America Troop 1717B in Hartwood, Virginia. I joined Troop 1717B on May 2, 2025, when I completed my Cub Scout journey and achieved my Arrow of Light. Since joining the Troop, the older Scouts, Scoutmaster and other Scout leaders have welcomed me and taught me a lot about Scouting, the outdoors and being a valuable member of my community. Their kindness and enthusiasm for Scouting led me to decide to join the Troop’s weeklong Summer Camping trip.

From June 29th to July 5th, 2025, Troop 1717B attended summer camp at the Pipisco Scout Reservation Camp Lions in Spring Grove, Virginia near Williamsburg. As a first-year Scout, I was a bit nervous about going camping without my parents. However, this camping experience was epic! The older Scouts immediately were kind, took care of me and reassured me of all the fun ahead. After my initial reservations, I quickly realized how much fun we were having.

On the first night there was a camp-wide celebration with great music. During the week, I participated in the Huskanaw, “Rite of Passage”, Program for new Scouts. I learned many camping skills and skills that are basics for Scouting America. I learned the Scout Oath, Law and Motto, which are the guiding tenants of what it means to be a Scout. We were able to go to a climbing wall, swim in the pool, go canoeing, play gaga ball and even learn about game design. The camp staff was very nice and cheerful and made sure they kept the Scouts happy, even when it was hot. The food was also really good!

The week went by very quickly, and I learned a lot. I was able to complete my first Scout Rank, completed three merit badges and even was certified to carry a pocketknife and taught how to properly build fires. It made me feel very proud to have done all this with the help of my fellow Scouts and my adult leaders.

My first Scouting experience was awesome, and I highly recommend that anyone who is interested in Scouting go and check out your local Troop to see if you can have as much fun as I am having! “Be Prepared!”

Are you ready to begin your family’s Scouting adventures too? To join Scouting America, please go to www.beascout.org to find a Scout unit near you – Cub Scouting serves families with children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade; Scouts BSA serves families with children ages 10-18. There are also Scouting America programs for families with older Youths, ages 14 – 20, including becoming Venturers, Explorers or Sea Scouts.

The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Aquia District is part of Scouting America, National Capital Area Council. Aquia District includes Stafford County, Virginia, and Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information on Scouting in the Stafford/Fredericksburg area, including how to donate, join or volunteer, contact Kristy Freeman, Aquia District Executive, at Kristy.Freeman@Scouting.org or call (540)287-3866.

I Caught the Biggest Fish!

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“Today at Day Camp I went fishing. After a while, when I didn’t catch one, I was sad and thought everyone else was catching fish. Then, when we were almost out of time, the fishing bobber went under water. I yanked my fishing rod as hard as I could. I was excited because I caught my first and biggest fish!!”

Congratulations to Kanayo for continuing to try and not give up. You truly exhibited the traits of a good Scout!