We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

At Camp

Scouts Participate in Leave No Trace Activities

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NCAC Scouters recently had the amazing opportunity to participate in Leave No Trace (LNT) activities with the LNT Traveling Trainers. This energetic, two-person team travels around the country visiting national, state, and local parks to spread the word about LNT by engaging the public in participatory games and activities. LNT is a set of principles that guides people in thinking about the impacts of their actions in the outdoors (#LeaveNoTrace) while also having a great time (#EnjoyYourWorld). Not surprisingly, LNT is one of the foundational elements of BSA outdoor ethics and BSA outdoor code.

The Traveling Trainers did a phenomenal job of engaging our NCAC LNT Trainer and LNT Master Educators in the hand movements for the 7 principles of LNT, a relay game about the 10 essentials, another game about durable surfaces, an activity to guess the mystery water pollutant & how to properly dispose of it, and an exercise about scenarios they find the most disturbing with respect to impacts on the environment.

Our Scouters are proud to note the learning was not unidirectional. They have so much experience teaching LNT to Scouts & Scouters that they shared a few new tips and games with the Traveling Trainers, making for a great exchange of experiences by people passionate about minimizing their impact in the outdoors.

Scouts, venturers and their scouters interested in learning more about outdoor ethics can complete 5 requirements to earn the Outdoor Ethics Awareness award (https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/outdoor-ethics/awards/scouts-bsa/). Not to be left behind, Cub Scouts in NCAC can earn our council’s Cub Scout Outdoor Ethics Awareness award (http://www.ncacbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/New-NCAC-Outdoor-Ethics-Awareness-award.pdf) by completing 4 requirements.
For scouts aged 14 and older plus scouters, NCAC will offer the LNT Trainer course twice this fall; see the NCAC Outdoor Ethics page (https://www.ncacbsa.org/training/outdoor-ethics/) for information.

Enjoy your world. Leave No Trace.

Troop 1148G Learns Woodworking Fundamentals

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While camping at Camp Snyder, Scouts from Troop 1148G, South Riding, VA visited Michael’s Woodshop and crossed woodworking off of their Scouts BSA bucket list. After watching their brothers build pinewood derby cars and work on Eagle Scout projects for years, it was their turn in the shop! The Scouts learned about shop and tool safety, lumber basics and the proper use of a wide variety of hand and power tools; their favorite was the block plane. They also saw a demonstration of milling rough sawn, “ugly” boards into useable, “pretty” lumber. Scouts used their newfound skills of measuring, cutting, drilling and sanding to complete a project of their own. It was an awesome day!

Come see first-hand what our wood shop capabilities are during the NCAC Adult Scouting Skills Event on Saturday, September 14th.  It’s not too late to register to attend, you can register here.

Are your Scouts interested in learning woodworking fundamentals? Michael’s Woodshop offers Woodworking 101 classes for Scouts BSA youth each month. The class provides Scouts with a solid foundation of shop and tool safety and the function and proper use of common hand tools and other shop equipment. The course provide Scouts with skills they can apply towards the Woodwork Merit Badge, Eagle Scout projects and other service projects or it could even spark the desire to become a Woodworker!

Michael’s Woodshop is a great, hands-on work space where Scouts can learn and create. The shop was designed, constructed and is operated by volunteers. Michael’s Woodshop is currently seeking additional volunteers; both experienced wood workers and shop assistants.

To learn more about volunteering or for information about shop capabilities, upcoming events or reserving the shop, please visit the Camp Snyder website https://gotosnyder.org/ or email us at Camp.Snyder@Scouting.Org

Cub Scout Conservation Project

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Don’t forget to visit Michael’s Woodshop during the

Scouting Skills day, you can register here.

Three Cub Scouts from Pack 1601, Powhatan District, who were attending summer camp at Camp William B. Snyder had the opportunity to visit Michael’s Woodshop. They used their open program time to perform a conservation project for Camp Snyder. Over the course of an hour, the Cub Scouts received a safety briefing and went to work drilling, sanding and hammering. Not only did they have the opportunity to build their skills, they also did a good turn for the camp. At the end of their session, they had each completed the assembly of a fine, hand-crafted wren house for placement on the camp property. Awesome job!

Are you looking for a great conservation project? Camp Snyder’s Conservation Plan calls for the construction and installation of dozens of bird houses around the property. Projects are available for all ages and skill levels; small and large, basic and complex. Bird houses not your thing? Camp Snyder has a long list of other volunteer service project opportunities around the property. You can attend a Volunteer Service Day or you come out individually, in small teams or in large groups. For more information about service projects, please contact Camp Snyder (Camp.Snyder@Scouting.Org).

Michael’s Woodshop is a safe, hands-on work space that was designed for use by Scouts of all ages to create and learn. Michael’s Woodshop may be reserved for Unit activities, District events, Eagle Scout projects and other Scouting activities. For information about shop capabilities, upcoming events, reserving the shop or to learn more about volunteering, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop page on the Camp Snyder website https://www.gotosnyder.org.

Attending Scouting Skills day on
September 14, 2019
11:00-4:00
Be sure and visit Michael’s Woodshop during the
Scouting Skills day.
If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here.

Summer Camp Fun in Michael’s Woodshop

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Webelos attending summer camp at Camp William B. Snyder in July had the opportunity to create their own marble tic tac toe board in Michael’s Woodshop. Scouts received a safety briefing, donned their safety glasses and were given a “blank” to begin their work. The Webelos rotated through three primary work stations “Sanding”, “Drilling” and “Cutting” and had the opportunity to use a variety of hand tools. They were supervised/assisted by camp staff in using the drill press. All Webelos in attendance followed the safety guidelines, completed their project and best of all – they all had fun!

Would your group enjoy this activity? Have another project in mind? Michael’s Woodshop may be reserved for Unit activities (all ages), District events, Eagle Scout projects and other Scouting activities. Our group of volunteer Shop Stewards can help you organize an event, can provide training and can attend your event to provide guidance and assistance to carry out a safe and enjoyable activity. In addition, Michael’s Woodshop offers monthly Woodwork Merit Badge and Woodworking 101 classes. We are also looking forward to our second season of Pinewood Derby Days beginning later in the year.

Michael’s Woodshop was designed, constructed and is operated by volunteers. In addition, a significant amount of the tools, equipment and building materials were acquired through donations from the local Scouting community. For information about shop capabilities, event registration, reserving the shop or to learn more about volunteering or supporting the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop page on the Camp Snyder website or email Camp Snyder at Camp.Snyder@Scouting.Org

Michael’s Woodshop Hosts Its First Eagle Scout Project

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Michael’s Woodshop at Camp William B. Snyder hosted its first Eagle Scout Project on May 25. Henry Olson of Troop 106, Arlington, VA completed the construction of four benches for an outdoor classroom at his former elementary school. Henry arrived at 8:00am with a pile of lumber and a solid plan and departed at 3:30pm with four very nice benches. He was supported by his parents, Scouts from his Troop and two volunteer Shop Stewards. Henry was very pleased with the facility and the support he received. He said, “It was really fun and the project went very well. I will be sure to spread the word about the shop”.

Michael’s Woodshop is one of the newest additions to Camp Snyder. It is a well outfitted shop with equipment, tools and space to complete almost any wood working project. Since opening in November, 2018, Michael’s Woodshop hosted over 250 Cub Scouts during its Pinewood Derby Days, supported District events and held several Woodwork Merit Badge sessions. Summer events are now open for registration. Michael’s Woodshop may also be reserved for Unit activities (all ages), District events, Eagle Scout projects and other Scouting activities.
Michael’s Woodshop was constructed and is operated by volunteers. In addition, a significant amount of the tools, equipment and building materials were acquired through donations from the local Scouting community. For information about shop capabilities, event registration, reserving the shop or to learn more about volunteering or supporting the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop page on the Camp Snyder website or email Camp Snyder at Camp.Snyder@Scouting.Org