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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

At Camp

Summer Camp Planning: Pre-Camp Parent Meeting and Merit Badge Sign Ups

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Getting Your Unit Ready for Summer Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation

Summer camp at Goshen Scout Reservation is a highlight of the Scouting year and a successful week at camp starts well before your unit arrives. Thoughtful preparation helps Scouts get the most out of their experience, keeps parents informed, and makes the week smoother for unit leaders.

To help you get camp‑ready, the Goshen team has put together key reminders, best practices, and a recommended outline for hosting a Pre‑Camp Parent Meeting. We’ll also walk through what units attending Camp Bowman, Camp Marriott, and Camp Olmsted need to know to prepare for merit badge and activity sign‑ups, which open on March 31, 2026.

View the March 23, 2026 webinar recording here:

Download the slides from the webinar here: Pre-Camp Parent’s Meeting and Merit Badge Registration Webinar [PDF]

Why a Pre‑Camp Parent Meeting Matters

A pre‑camp parent meeting is one of the most valuable tools a unit can use to set expectations and prevent last‑minute confusion. Get a copy of our recommended outline for a Pre-Camp Parent Meeting at www.gotogoshen.org/forms and customize it for your unit.

Preparing for Merit Badge & Activity Sign Ups

For units attending Scouts BSA camps—Camp Bowman, Camp Marriott, and Camp Olmsted—advance preparation can avoid a last minute rush.

Key Date to Remember

Merit badge and activity sign ups open March 31, 2026 at 7:00pm.

To be ready:

  • Share with your Scouts and families the Program Schedule for your camp and the Scouts BSA Program Guide for age requirements, recommendations, and any merit badge prerequisites (requirements to do ahead of time). Gather first and second choices for badges and activities.
  • Make sure your Scouts are registered and have made the minimum payment.
  • Decide your process: Will you manage the sign ups centrally through the Camp Coordinator or have families manage their Scout’s schedule through the Parent Portal feature?

Setting the Tone for a Great Summer

A little planning now makes a big difference later. By hosting a thoughtful pre‑camp parent meeting and preparing early for merit badge and activity selection, your unit will arrive at Goshen confident, informed, and ready for an unforgettable camp experience.

The Goshen team looks forward to welcoming you this summer and supporting your Scouts every step of the way. See you at camp!

Looking for more resources?

Camp Catoctin 2026

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Attend Camp Catoctin for 2026 Summer

Camp Catoctin is one of only a few all-volunteer, nationally accredited Scouting America camps in the United States. With over 60 years of history, Camp Catoctin has evolved from a small weekend camp-out to a week-long resident camp serving over 200 youth. Camp Catoctin staff are local volunteers, trained professionals, and represent generations of Scouts.

When:
Camp Catoctin will be held August 10 – 16, 2026. Campers will arrive Monday, August 10th at a pre-scheduled time in the afternoon and depart the morning of Sunday, August 16th. Merit badge programming will run from Tuesday morning through Saturday evening.

Where:
Camp Catoctin will be returning to Catoctin Mountain Park, NPS. Set in rich history and lush forest, this area boasts impressive scenery and fresh mountain air perfect to backdrop a Scouting adventure.

Cost:
$475 per camper and $155 per adult leader.

Camperships are financial aid available to Scouts with demonstrated need and are available by application. No Scout should be denied the experience of summer camp. To request an application, please email Diane Henson, Business Manager at dhenson@gotocampcatoctin.org.

Registration:
A $25 deposit per Scout is due May 1st with full payments due May 31st. Scouts must be paid in full before selecting merit badges.

Registration is now open!
https://gotocampcatoctin.org/

Summer Camp Planning: Registering Your Scouts at Goshen Scout Reservation

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Watch the session on how to register your Scouts at Goshen Scout Reservation. Leadership will walk through the camper registration process for your upcoming summer camp adventure. Review the role of the Unit Registration Contact, preparing the unit for the Camper Deposit Phase, keeping track with the GSR Registration timeline, and more helpful tips and tricks to lead you to success.

You’ll learn how to:

-Add Youth Campers: Starting on December 10, 2025, units l be able to start adding their youth and adult campers to their registrations. (the “Camper Deposit Phase.”)

-Register as Individual Scouts (called “provisional”) or Small Groups of Scouts: On December 10, 2025, registration also opens for:

  • Phoenix Nest for small groups of Webelos and Arrow of Light,
  • Provisional Camp for Scouts BSA and other older youth programs,
  • Provisional Treks at Lenhok’sin High Adventure, and
  • the Goshen Order of the Arrow Trail Crew.

Watch the recording:

You can also download the slides from the webinar here: Registering Your Scouts for Camp [PDF]

Other resources referenced in the presentation include:

  • Summer Camp Registration
    Register, access your registration, and find other resources at www.gotogoshen.org/registration
  • NCAC Fall Popcorn Fundraising Program
    It may be too late to get involved for Summer 2025, but check out resources for a future year to learn how to earn funds towards your Scouting adventure and potentially earn a free week of summer camp at ncacscouting.org/popcorn
  • NCAC Spring Camp Cards Fundraising Program
    Earn your way to camp, high adventure, or other Scouting adventures. The kick-off webinar for the 2026 Camp Cards will be on January 8, 2026. Look for information at ncacscouting.org/camp-cards
  • Financial Aid – Camperships
    Financial aid is available to provide opportunities to all youth to attend summer camp. Applications can be made by the families or on behalf of the families by unit leaders. Submit an application at ncacscouting.org/financial

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