At Camp

Ashburn’s Troop 58 Carries the Olympic Torch!

December 9, 2019 by Jill McClelland

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.

In 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”).

The 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.

Webelos Conservation Project Was a Real Hoot!

November 27, 2019 by Dave Schneeman

On November 10, Webelos from Pack 1344 came out to Michael’s Woodshop to build owl boxes as a service project for Camp Snyder. In the process, they were given the opportunity to learn and practice some basic woodworking skills. With assistance and guidance from two volunteer Shop Stewards, parents and their Den Chief, these Webelos learned basic shop safety rules, how to read working drawings, measuring and marking skills, how to use a hammer and nail punch and they even got to install some hinges. As the boxes began to take shape, so did their smiles. At the end of the session, the Webelos had created six awesome owl boxes. After watching this “normally active bunch” stay focused and engaged for over 2 hours, their Den Leader described it as “a truly awesome experience”.

Scouts and other volunteers will continue this conservation project on future Camp Snyder Service Days by installing these owl boxes throughout the camp and maintaining them in the coming years. Many similar conservation projects are available – Scouts recently installed four bluebird boxes at camp with several more to go. If you would like to learn more about conservation and other service projects at Camp Snyder, upcoming Service Days or to arrange for group projects, please email us at CWBS.Volunteers@gmail.com.

Michael’s Woodshop at Camp William B. Snyder is a hands-on work space that was designed for use by Scouts of all ages to create and learn. From Baloo the Builder activities to Eagle Scout Projects, our group of volunteer Shop Stewards can help you organize and carry out successful events. Michael’s Woodshop may be reserved for Unit activities, District events and many other Scouting activities. To learn more about shop capabilities, upcoming events and reserving the shop please visit the Camp Snyder website or email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.

Woodworking Fun at 2019 Webelos and Scout Expo

November 22, 2019 by Dave Schneeman

Michael’s Woodshop Begins Its 2nd Year

At Camp Snyder’s 2019 Webelos & Scout Expo, Michael’s Woodshop officially began its second year of operation and it certainly got off to a great start! Visitors had the opportunity to tour the shop and Webelos, Scouts and siblings (and a few Dads) took the opportunity to get some hands-on woodworking experience by making their own Cell Phone Charging/Viewing Stand. After going through a safety briefing, the Scouts used a template to mark their blanks, went through two drilling & cutting work stations and then performed some light sanding to create a good fit. With a little final sanding, they all walked away with a very cool, handmade cell phone stand that they can use or give as a gift!

This project also served as an exhibition of how the experienced volunteer Shop Stewards in Michael’s Woodshop can tailor projects to meet the needs of your group. For the Webelos & Scout Expo, the project needed to be short in duration and needed to accommodate a wide range of participant ages and skill levels. This was achieved by carefully selecting and modifying a suitable project design and by creating a series of templates and jigs specifically for the event. The end result was a very smooth process that allowed 60 visitors to complete the project during the Expo.

Michael’s Woodshop is a hands-on work space that was designed for use by Scouts of all ages to create and learn. The shop is operated and maintained by a group of volunteer Shop Stewards who are also available to help plan and carry out events. Michael’s Woodshop may be reserved for Unit activities, District events, Eagle Scout projects and many other Scouting activities.

For information about shop capabilities, upcoming events, reserving the shop or to learn more about volunteering, please visit the Camp Snyder website www.gotosnyder.org/ or email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.

Wood Shop Fun at Cub Scout Expo

October 22, 2019 by David Schneeman

Over 100 Cub Scouts and siblings visited Michael’s Woodshop during the Cub Scout Expo held at Camp William B. Snyder on October 19. While in the wood shop, they had the opportunity to create their very own golf tee tic tac toe boards. Supervised by a group of volunteer Shop Stewards, the Cub Scouts had a great time working their way through a series of work stations including sawing, marking & drilling and sanding.

Everyone enjoyed this hands-on woodworking project and best of all, they got to leave with a fun game that they created themselves!

Michael’s Woodshop is a great place to hold engaging, hands-on activities for Scouts of all ages. Michael’s Woodshop may be reserved for Unit activities, District events, Eagle Scout projects and other Scouting activities. Our volunteer Shop Stewards are available to help plan and organize your activities and can help tailor projects to meet the age range and size of your group. They also provide training and can attend your event to provide guidance and assistance to carry out a safe and enjoyable activity.

Michael’s Woodshop is operated by a group of volunteer Shop Stewards. There is growing demand for the use of this amazing facility and there is a need for additional volunteers. Teaching and guiding Scouts in this creative environment is an incredibly rewarding experience. Both experienced woodworkers and novices, including older Scouts can become part of the team. To learn more about shop capabilities, planning an event, reserving the shop or volunteering, please visit the Camp Snyder website (www.gotosnyder.org) or email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

Celebrate 100 Years of Camping at Goshen!

October 18, 2019 by Goshen Scout Reservation

National Capital Area Council is celebrating 100 years of camping that began in 1919 with Camp Roosevelt. To this day, you can still see signs made by Camp Roosevelt campers on display at the Camp Olmsted Handicraft pavilion.

Registration for Summer 2020 at Goshen Scout Reservation is now open. Join us to celebrate these 100 years of camping!

Camp Olmsted Week 1 has already filled up. Register soon to save your spot for your week! Stay up to date on week availability, get all the latest information, and reserve your spot at www.gotogoshen.org/registration.

Learn more about our two Webelos Camps, three Scouts BSA & Venturing Camps, and Lenhok’sin High Adventure and all the adventures they have to offer on our website at www.gotogoshen.org.

Troop 58 Breaks Summer Camp Record!

October 4, 2019 by Jill McClelland

Ashburn’s Troop 58 Swoops into Summer Camp!

Summer may be over, but the stats are rolling in. This year was the Troop 58’s largest group yet to swoop into Summer Camp, as over 50 Scouts and adult leaders from Ashburn’s Troop 58 attended Camp Shenandoah in Swoope, VA in mid-June. Camp Shenandoah has been serving Scouts for almost 70 years, since 1950. Across the troop, the Scouts worked on 143 merit badges and attended 22 other classes like stand up paddleboard.

Sixteen of the troop’s recent cross-over Scouts joined in the fun and successfully completed the Timber Mountain Program. Troop 58’s Treasurer, Wilson Chua, also conquered a 1 ½ mile swim around Hope Lake earning his Mile Swim patch. Water-related merit badges earned by the Scouts included swimming, lifesaving, motorboating, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, and oceanography. The final lakeside campfire on Friday night included Troop 58’s rendition of TopNotcher – always a classic! One of the troop’s Life Scouts, Daniel Han, had such a great time at Camp Shenandoah and made such a good impression that he was offered a job at the camp.

When he arrived back at home that Saturday, he did his laundry returned to Camp Shenandoah the next morning – as a member of the camp staff for the remainder of the summer! Troop 58 is also prepared to attend the Sea Base Out Island Adventure in late July. During this high adventure trip, 2 crews of Scouts flew to Miami, FL, drove to the Brinton Environmental Center, and then paddled to Big Munson Island in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. They camped there for an action packed week of ocean kayaking, snorkeling (day and night), fishing, sailing, and exploring the ocean – all without running water and electricity!

Remember camp registrations are quickly approaching, be on the look out for the registration dates for Camp Shenandoah!