We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

At Camp

250th Bear Completes Baloo the Builder Adventure

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On November 5th, Bears from Pack 1160 completed their Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop. They learned about useful tools to have in their boxes and practiced using a number of tools including clamps, sanding blocks, hammers and nail punches. They made a golf tee game board as their “fun project” and after sanding, they applied a clear polyurethane finish. Finally, as their “useful project”, each Bear made their very own tool box. It was a couple of hours very well spent and not only did these Bears learn a few things and have some fun, they also earned the distinction of having among their Den the 250th Bear to complete the Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop!

Since introducing the Baloo the Builder and Webelos Build It Workshops, they have quickly become two of the most popular activities in the shop. These workshops are both great, hands-on activities that are fun, learning experiences for the Cub Scouts.

To learn more about these workshops and the many other shop activities available, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. Start planning now to schedule an activity for your unit in the spring.

All of the activities in Michael’s Woodshop are designed and supervised by a dedicated group of volunteers. With the high demand for woodshop activities, we are seeking additional volunteers to join the Woodshop Team. There are roles available for experienced woodworkers, Woodwork Merit Badge Counselors and both adult and youth assistants. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please see Join the Woodshop Team or email us for additional information.

For more information about the merit badge classes, shop capabilities, upcoming events or reserving the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. If you have questions or would like additional information, please email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

Productive Fall Work Weekends at Goshen

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This fall has been a productive one for Goshen Scout Reservation! We hosted two work weekends in October – one run by the Goshen Staff Alumni Association (GSAA) and one open to youth and adult volunteers.

The GSAA accomplished a number of projects, including:

  • Clearing a tremendous amount of brush at the Olmsted Chapel
  • Building new and resurfacing 17 picnic tables
  • Preparing the Marriott Administration building for an upcoming renovation project
  • Distributing previously built tent platforms and the aforementioned picnic tables to camps around the lake
  • Creating plans for chuck box construction in preparation for the Spring Weekend

The Volunteer Work Weekend projects included:

  • Repainting the Olmsted Shower House and Quartermaster/Trading Post facade
  • Replacing split rail fence at various program areas at Camp Olmsted, Camp Bowman, and Camp Marriott
  • Brush clearing throughout Camp Marriott OJ Corral
  • Counting and mapping all the buildings and shelters at Goshen to support the Goshen Admin staff with an updated inventory for insurance

Thank you to all the Scouting volunteers, alumni, and current camp staff who attended and for all their service to Goshen Scout Reservation! We hope to see them and others at future weekends.

 

Be sure to save the dates for the Spring Work Weekends:

  • GSAA Spring Service Weekend: April 28 – 30, 2023
    • Open to current and past Goshen camp staff, ages 18+. See old friends, meet alumni from across the decades, and work on camp projects.
  • Goshen Spring Volunteer Work Weekend: May 12 – 14, 2023 (tentative)
    • Open to youth and adult volunteers. Come down to Goshen for a weekend of service, camping, beautiful mountains, and fun!

Camp Catoctin BSA 2023

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Camp Catoctin BSA is one of only a few all-volunteer, nationally accredited BSA camps in the United States. Over our 60 year history, Camp Catoctin BSA 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.

Why Camp Catoctin BSA?

Exciting Program
Close out the summer with a bang! Camp Catoctin BSA offers more than 40 merit badges to choose from, including many not offered at traditional scout camps. Whether you’re looking for natural face rock climbing, sailing around the lake, taking a stab at hatchet throwing, building a survival shelter, or learning to make gourmet meals in the woods we’ve got it.

Local Staff
Volunteer staff serve year-round in District, Council, and National positions. We’re often involved in local programming and we’re always around to help finish a badge or lend a hand.

New Scout Program
Our Acorn program is designed to guide youth through the advancement process and teach all the necessary skills for the new scout. Our small staff ratios allow our Acorn staff to get to know your youth and spend the extra time to ensure they succeed.

Older Scout Program
Looking for something new and different? Climb on over to our climbing program where you’ll have the opportunity to climb and rappel natural rock faces. Bear Grylls your inspiration? Wilderness survival will give you the opportunity to practice those firestarting skills and learn to build a shelter.

Not Just for Youth!
Don’t just let your scouts have the fun. Join our daily CampTalks geared for Scouters on various topics ranging from how to teach EDGE Method) to scouting history.

Camping Palooza is for All Scouts!

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Registration for Camping Palooza on Saturday, October 15, 2022 is OPEN! Camping Palooza is a day event at Camp William B. Snyder celebrating scouting in NCAC by showcasing favorite scouting activities.

REGISTER: https://scoutingevent.com/082-CampingPalooza

Camping Palooza is open to ALL ages of Scouts and Scouters so don’t miss it! From Cub Scouts to Eagles, Sea Scouts, Venture Crews, and even non-scouts who might be interested in joining, all branches and ages of scouting are welcome at this event. Invite a friend and introduce scouting!

With as many exciting activities as we have planned, there is sure to be something for everyone!
-STEM activies
-Crafts in Mchael’s Woodshop
-Pop-up Scouting History museum
-Meet and greets with representatives of Service Careers
– Rock climbing
– Shooting sports
– Field games and fall fun
– A parade with a marching band
– A closing show sure to wow and excite
Plus much, much more!

Camping Palooza not only provides exciting activities, but also opportunities to network and meet other scouts!

KPMG Celebrates by Volunteering at Camp Snyder

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This month, volunteers from the Washington, DC office of KPMG descended on Camp William B. Snyder for a morning of service to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary on August 2, 2022. The company offered more than 40 different volunteer opportunities that provided a chance for their team members to learn and grow before their celebratory party in the afternoon.

Almost 40 of their team members chose to volunteer at Camp Snyder where they helped stain the multiple wood decks at Caroll’s Cottage, cleared the landscape of invasive species in the communal area, and split logs for future campfires. All the volunteers met the spirit of the Scout Slogan to “Do a Good Turn Daily.”

Jenny Vu
Eric Rasmussen

NCAC Executive Board member, Eric Rasmussen, who is a partner at KPMG, explained that he continues to be involved with the NCAC because Scouting taught him and his boys a lot. Many of the volunteers also had a connection to scouting. Some have served as scout leaders, have children in scouting, and were scouts themselves. Among the group we found the Advancement Chair for Troop 652 and a cub scout mom, Jenny, from Pack 146. One current Scout, Luke, accompanied his father for the day of service after spending the summer on staff at Goshen Scout Reservation.

We appreciate KPMG’s efforts toward improving Camp Snyder and know that their effort contributed to our ability to provide a quality program that encourages a lifetime of service to others, while building self-confidence and developing leadership skills for over 35,000 youth across the National Capital region.