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Save the Dates: Goshen 2024

August 11, 2023 by Goshen Scout Reservation

Save the dates for Goshen Scout Reservation Summer 2024!

We will be offering five weeks of summer camp at all three Scouts BSA resident camps – Camp Bowman, Camp Marriott, and Camp Olmsted, including the Provisional Camp program at Camp Marriott for individual campers.

Camp Ross for Webelos and Arrow of Light Cub Scouts will be running for six weeks.

Lenhok’sin High Adventure will be offering five weeks of its backpacking program and river trekking program.

Week 1: June 23 – June 29, 2024
Week 2: June 30 – July 6, 2024
Week 3: July 7 – July 13, 2024
Week 4: July 14 – July 20, 2024
Week 5: July 21 – July 27, 2024
Week 6 (Ross only): July 28 – August 3, 2024

Goshen 2023 units that reserved their spot at camp will get a confirmation email in early September with their new registration number.

Registration opens for the general public on September 6, 2023.

Information about provisional (individual) trek options at Lenhok’sin High Adventure and information about summer camp for small dens (only one leader) at Camp Ross will be available soon.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information as we get ready for Summer 2024!

Filed Under: At Camp Tagged With: Goshen Scout Reservation, summer camp

Pack 257 has a Ross-ome time at Goshen!

August 1, 2023 by Sean Troxell

Pack 257’s Webelos had an awesome summer camp adventure at NCAC’s Goshen Scout Reservation for a week in July. They jumped in the lake, they swam in the river, they shot BB guns and bows, they petted snakes and fished for the elusive cheese-moose! They sang, they danced, and they even saved the camp Phoenix! Camp Ross was totally ROSS-OME!!

 

Filed Under: At Camp

NCAC Scouts Interview Astronaut on Space Station

July 25, 2023 by Cynthia Griffiths

Scouts at Camp William B. Snyder interview astronauts from the Dining Hall

While at Camp William B. Snyder on Friday, July 21, 2023 for its Merit Badge Specialty Week, Scouts in the National Capital Area Council talked with astronauts on the International Space Station via Amateur Radio. This activity complements the BSA’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) program and is part of the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Program which promotes learning opportunities as part of its STEM initiative.

In the days leading up to the ISS interaction, nearly 200 Scouts attended the Specialty Week at Camp William B. Snyder.

During this week, Scouts:
• Practiced proper call signs and Morse code, drew charts of the electromagnetic spectrum and assembled dipole antennas as part of earning their Radio Badge
• Built, launched, and recovered model rockets as part of earning the Space Exploration Badge
• Read aeronautical charts, experimented with ailerons and propellers, and flew model airplanes as part of earning the Aviation Badge
• Made electromagnets to show magnetic attraction and repulsion as part of earning the Electricity Badge
• Programmed robots for autonomous tasks akin to Mars Rovers as part of earning the Robotics Badge

These are just a few of the many activities that the Scouts participated in during this fun week of learning. Of the 138 merit badges that Scouts are eligible to earn, over 50 are considered STEM merit badges. Nearly 35 subject matter experts volunteered to counsel the Scouts during this week, making this event possible.

The ARISS contact was performed using the Amateur Radio telebridge network, a world-wide network of amateur radio ground stations that enable students to contact the ISS. The amateur radio ground station operated by Claudio Ariotti established contact with the ISS is IK1SLD in, Casale Monferrato, Italy,  The ARISS mentor, Charlie Sufana AJ9N, was based in Florida and served as the ARISS Radio moderator for the event.

Scouts interviewed astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi and had time to ask 13 questions. Astronaut Al Neyadi is an Emirati Astronaut who traveled to the ISS with NASA’s crew rotation flight, SpaceX Crew-6. Astronaut Al Neyadi is the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk.

The “ground” radio experts at Camp William B. Snyder were Pete Collat KI4YBH (Radio Merit Badge Counselor), Mike Aimone WA8AHZ (Virginia Radio Club coordinator) and Joe Porcelli KT3I (Virginia Wireless Club HAM). Porcelli set up a SATCOMM for Scouts to experience satellite chasing before and after the ISS contact.

A dozen STEM Scouts had a first look and experience with the SATCOMM in May, as the Virginia Wireless Club welcomed our Scouts to their radio field day. These STEM Scouts had completed a module on software-defined radio in which they listened to FM broadcasts, tracked airplanes, built a HAM radio, and captured GPS data. STEM Scouts is a National Capital Area Council program for girls and boys in grades 3-8 that incorporates hands-on activities to inspire youth in STEM. The SDR module encouraged hands-on experimentation as a basis for understanding technical subjects, and exposes Scouts to potential careers in broadcast engineering, telecommunications, computer science, consumer electronics, and more. Three of these STEM Scouts will take part in asking Astronaut Al Neyadi questions during the International Space Station contact on Friday.

The event was livestreamed at www.facebook.com/NCACSTEM and a complete recording can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/NCACSTEM/videos/796657518531573

 

Filed Under: At Camp

Innovation Academy: building 3D printers in 3 hours

April 25, 2023 by NCAC STEM

At Building Momentum, skillsets are taught in record time. As we write this, eight scouts are half-way through an 18-hour Innovation Academy Exploring Program designed to teach youth ages 15-22 skills in fabrication. This six session program focuses on: welding, 3d printing, robotics and coding.

When I walked into session three of the program, I wasn’t sure what to expect. If you’ve 3d printed before, you know that the printing itself is the driest and can go on for hours. At Building Momentum, the youth were not twiddling their thumbs though! They got into another experience while they waited: assembling 3d printers from new-in-box conditions. This offered an excellent understanding the components and mechanics of the printer.

As I looked around the room, I saw some scouts tending to their 3d prints, others assembling brand new 3d printers, and some designing in TinkerCAD. All with confidence that truly impressed me; and that is what Building Momentum truly does. They find people who are willing to work with their hands, and empower them to do so.

It’s worth noting this was only their first session focused on 3d printing. In their next meeting, these youth will dive deeper into designs using Fusion 360. The final two sessions will take on coding and robotics.

In the first two sessions, scouts had already welded. Some kids welded together metal frogs, some wrote their name in metal. Not just to earn a merit badge, but to really develop confidence, comfort and skills holding a welder.

If you’re interested in these opportunities, Innovation Academy will repeat the program in fall: Oct 2, 16, Nov 6, 20, Dec 4 & Dec 18, 2023. Take a look at the NCAC STEM page where all our events are listed!

And if your scout just can’t wait until then, we have an event for you.

Summer Camps

Innovation Academy designed 2 summer weeks specifically for scouts. In these camps, students may earn 4 awards: Model Design and Building, Electronics, Welding merit badges and The Next Big Thing Nova Award, all in 1 week! Students will get hands-on experience working with:

  • CAD
  • 3D printing
  • Laser cutting
  • Soldering
  • Welding

Students will get the real-world experience of time management while completing several hands-on projects throughout the week. This is a fast-paced camp best for students who are eager to learn and put in the hard work.

Rising grades 7-12 |  June 26 – 30 OR August 7 – 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The fee is $500, and Military and Family Discounts 10% Off. Link to register: https://buildmo.com/youth-program-offerings

Filed Under: At Camp, Scouting Programs Tagged With: 3d printing, innovation, STEM, welding

Get Ready for Camp! Scout Shop Event 5/6

April 20, 2023 by Cynthia Griffiths

Visit the National Capital Scout Shop in the Marriott Scout Service Center in Bethesda, MD or the Northern Virginia Scout Shop in Springfield, VA for special events on Saturday, May 6, 2023!

NCAC Camp Staff will be at both locations to answer questions and talk about camp – what to expect, what to bring, etc. – so Scouts and leaders can learn everything they need to know about their upcoming camp adventure. If a Scout is thinking about camp, this is the perfect opportunity to learn all about this summer’s possibilities!

At the same time, Scout Shop staff will be available to provide backpack fittings, camping gear demonstrations, and campsite set-up with a shop section for 10 Basic Essentials for Hiking/Camping, displays of class B activity t-shirts/camp hats, and lots more. Scouts can also pick up their “Get Ready for Camp” packing checklists.

The Scout Shops have more camping gear than ever! Our Shops carry hundreds of camp items including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, hammocks, sleep hammock gear, waterproof rain apparel, first aid kits, lanterns/flashlights, hiking socks, dry sacks, mess kits, backpacking cook kits & gear, camping/backyard fun recreation games & activities, and Dutch oven and cooking accessories.

On top of all this, the Scout Shops are having a special sale from 4/27 – 5/6/23. Basically the more you purchase, the more you save.
Imagine 25% savings on several Osprey brand backpacks! That’s huge!

Scout Shop Hours and Locations

 

Filed Under: At Camp

2023 Provisional Camps: Solo Summer Adventures

April 17, 2023 by NCAC Camping Department

Calling Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts! Want to attend camp? Is your unit going during a week that doesn’t fit your schedule? Need a second week of summer camp? Is your unit not doing a high adventure this year? A Provisional Summer Camp program could be the answer!

Provisional camp is a program offered to individual youth to attend summer camp on their own or in a small group without their unit and without having to bring their own adult leaders. Individuals form a Provisional Unit for the week, made up of other individual campers. Adult supervision is provided either by adult volunteers, camp staff, or a combination of both. In order to participate, youth need to be registered in Scouts BSA, Venturing BSA, or Sea Scouts BSA. Boys and girls are welcome! There is no minimum age requirement for standard camp programs, but most high adventure programs aimed at older scouts have a minimum age requirement.

National Capital Area Council offers a number of provisional summer camp experiences from standard summer camp experiences to backpacking and sailing high adventures. Check out the different options below!

Goshen Provisional Camp

At Camp Marriott, Goshen Scout Reservation
Make new friends as you enjoy all the activities – whether that is New Scout Quest for new scouts, Goshen Vets for older scouts, standard camp favorites like swimming and rifle shooting, or unique offerings at Eagle’s Eyrie and The Guild. Goshen Provisional Camp runs weekly, Saturday to Sunday, from June 25 thru July 29, 2023. Learn more at www.gotogoshen.org/provisional

Scouts BSA Specialty Week

At Camp Snyder
Attend as a day or overnight camper and get a chance to earn standard and specialized merit badges at some of the unique facilities, like the Woodshop. New scouts should check out the Green Bar Bill program to work on rank advancement. Specialty Week runs one week only, so don’t miss it! July 16 – July 22, 2023. Learn more at www.gotosnyder.org/summer-camp/specialty-week

High Adventure Council Contingents

The NCAC High Adventure Committee annually sponsors trips for individuals to National High Adventure bases including Philmont, Sea Base, and Northern Tier. Go backpacking in the Cimarron, sailing in the Caribbean, or canoeing in the Boundary Waters. Participants must be at least 14 years old. Dates vary.
Learn more at www.ncacbsa.org/high-adventure

Lenhok’sin Provisional Trail Trek

Find adventure at NCAC’s very own local high adventure base! Lenhok’sin offers backpacking with stops at outposts for adventure activities. Go stand-up paddleboarding, try your hand at blacksmithing, barter with the Mountain Man, and have other adventures. This trek is sponsored by the NCAC High Adventure Committee at Goshen Scout Reservation’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Participants must be age 13 or older. Offered one week only, so don’t miss it! July 2 – July 8, 2023. Learn more at www.gotogoshen.org/lenhoksin

Goshen Order of the Arrow Trail Crew

Join a crew of Order of the Arrow youth dedicated to cheerful service for a two week experience. The first week focuses on training and service. Learn about outdoor ethics and backcountry conservation as you apply your skills to the Lenhok’sin trail system. The second week is the full Lenhok’sin trail trek experience. Choose your outposts and enjoy the adventure at a reduced cost. Participants must be age 14 or older. GOAT runs June 18 – July 2, 2023. Learn more at wipit470.org/goat.html

Filed Under: At Camp Tagged With: Camp Snyder, Goshen Scout Reservation, High Adventure, Provisional Camp, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, summer camp, Venturing

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