We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

At Camp

2024 NCAC Summer Camp Guide Now Available

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With the weather getting chilly, we can think fondly of summer camp and get excited for Summer 2024! Check out the 2024 NCAC Summer Camp Guide, available online.

www.ncacbsa.org/campguide

Find prices, dates, and details on all the National Capital Area Council Summer Camps for Summer 2024!

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Cub Scouts

Is your Scout going to be a rising Tiger, rising Wolf, Rising Bear, or rising Webelos or Arrow of Light? Find the Cub Scout Camp that’s right for your Scout!

Choose a local District Day and Twilight Camp for a wild time with the 2024 theme: Jungle Adventure.

Discover your powers and save the day at Camp William B. Snyder with the 2024 theme: Superheroes. Attend a Day Camp, stay overnight on a Resident Weekend, or join the staff for a special Family 4th of July Weekend.

Are your rising Webelos and AOL dens looking for a weeklong adventure? Camp Ross is Goshen Scout Reservation’s dedicated overnight camp. The theme this summer is Indiana Ross. Avoid traps, find clues, and fool villains in an adventurous week!

Scouts BSA

There are plenty of options for Scouts BSA – whether they have been in the Troop for a while or are going to be bridging in next spring. There are camps for both units and individuals.

Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted at Goshen Scout Reservation offer a variety of dining options, unique and favorite Merit Badges and activities, and exciting programs for new Scouts, older Scouts, and all the Scouts in between.

Finish out your summer with Camp Catoctin BSA’s expert Merit Badge counselors in mid-August.

Is your Scout not able to attend camp with their Troop? Are they looking for a second week? Check out our options for individual scouts! Goshen runs Provisional Camp each week and Camp Snyder has two different Scout Specialty Weeks with both overnight and day camp options.

Older Scouts, Venturers, & Sea Scouts

Need more adventure for older Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts? Sign your unit up for a backpacking & adventure activity trek or a river canoe trek at Goshen’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure.

Individuals can find adventure with a High Adventure Base Trip to Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base, and Lenhok’sin High Adventure with a council contingent run by the NCAC High Adventure Committee.

Order of the Arrow members should also check out GOAT, the Goshen Order of the Arrow Trail Crew, involving cheerful service on trail maintenance and a classic Lenhok’sin backpacking and activity trek at a reduced rate.

Those ages 14 and up who just cannot get enough summer camp should submit an application to join Summer Camp staff! Interviews will begin in January for the Summer 2024 season.

Be sure to check out the online 2024 NCAC Summer Camp Guide for all the details  and pictures of the possibilities for your summer! Get outdoors, have fun, and find your next summer adventure!

Visit the Summer Adventure page for information on all these camp options!

Celebrating Our 500th Baloo the Builder Adventure!

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On October 22nd, Bears from Pack 1139 completed their Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop. They learned about useful tools to have in their toolboxes and practiced using 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 own toolbox. It was a couple of hours very well spent and not only did these Bears learn a few things and have some fun but, they also earned the distinction of having among their Den the 500th Bear to complete the Baloo the Builder Adventure in Michael’s Woodshop!

The Baloo the Builder and Webelos Build It Workshops are two of the most popular activities in Michael’s Woodshop. These workshops are 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, or to reserve the shop for an activity, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage. Start planning now to schedule an activity for your unit in the spring.

With continuing high demand for woodshop activities, we recently announced the expansion of the woodshop. To support the additional work space we need additional tooling and 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 or donating tools, please see our recent article Michael’s Woodshop is Expanding! or email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com for additional information.

 

                                                                                           

Michael’s Woodshop Sails into New Waters!

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On September 19-20, Michael’s Woodshop supported its first Quartermaster Leadership Service Project. Similar to earning the rank of Eagle Scout, Sea Scouts must carry out a service project to earn the rank of Quartermaster. Able Sea Scout William Kennedy, in pursuing the rank of Quartermaster, organized volunteers in constructing a picnic table for Gateway Baptist Church. William planned his project and organized volunteers for two evening work sessions in Michael’s Woodshop. The first evening was focused on cutting and sanding and the second was dedicated to assembly. It was a successful and productive couple of days and the end result was outstanding!

In addition to many other Scouting activities, William has volunteered in Michael’s Woodshop, starting as a Youth Assistant and recently becoming an adult volunteer. During this time, he has always eyed the Eagle and Summit Award plaques hanging on the wall to commemorate projects carried out in the shop. In addition to earning the rank of Eagle Scout and now being a Sea Scout Quartermaster Candidate, he will also enjoy the privilege of having his own plaque on the Michael’s Woodshop “Wall of Fame”.

Michael’s Woodshop can be reserved by Scouts to work on Eagle Scout, Summit Award and Quartermaster Projects. The shop is staffed by experienced volunteers who can assist with project planning and will be on hand to instruct, guide and supervise tool use. We are always looking for additional Shop Volunteers. Roles are available for adults and youth, from novices to experienced woodworkers. Please go to “Join the Woodshop Team” to learn more.

To learn more about the woodshop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop Webpage or email questions to the volunteer team at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.

Michael’s Woodshop is Expanding!

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Since opening in 2018, Michael’s Woodshop has become one of the most popular activity venues at Camp William B. Snyder, offering fun, hands-on activities for all NCAC Scouting youth. Activities in Michael’s Woodshop attracted over 1,800 youth participants in 2022 and is expected to exceed that number in 2023. In order to accommodate the increasing demand, Michael’s Woodshop has begun the renovation and outfitting of additional space in the STEM Shack. In August, Michael’s Woodshop Volunteers teamed up with volunteers supporting Camp Snyder’s monthly Sawdust Saturdays to remove a large volume of unneeded “clutter” and removed a partition to ready the space for renovations. Track our progress: Watch Slideshow

 

The success of Michael’s Woodshop is attributable to the incredible support from the NCAC Scouting community in the form of shop volunteers, tool donations and of course, the time and effort of all the leaders who coordinate shop events for their units. We are excited about the expansion and ongoing support will be critical to our continued success.

Become a Volunteer: Since its inception, Michael’s Woodshop has been operated and maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers. We will need additional Shop Volunteers to support the expanded level of activity. Roles are available for adults and youth, from novices to experienced woodworkers. Adult volunteers must be BSA registered with current YPT. Youth volunteers need to be at least 14 years old and must have earned the First Aid and Woodwork merit badges. Please go to “Join the Woodshop Team” to learn more.

Donate Tools: If you are not able to volunteer, but wish to support the expansion, please consider donating tools or equipment to Michael’s Woodshop. To view our current tool needs as well as recent donations, please visit Support Michael’s Woodshop.

To learn more about the woodshop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop Webpage or email questions to the volunteer team at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.

 

                                                   

Upcoming Events at NCAC Camps

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Looking for fun activities to fill those fall weekends? Mark your calendar for a weekend of family fun, service to your favorite camp, or training.

Fall Family Camps at Camp Snyder

Weekend I: October 20-22, 2023
Weekend II: November 17-19,2023
Sign up for a weekend of fall fun for all ages! Shoot BBs or arrows, climb the Scouterhorn climbing tower, create your own handicraft, build something in the Woodshop, or participate in many other hands-on activities.

More information and registration can be found here: www.gotosnyder.org/year-round-events/cub-scout-expo/

Volunteer Work Weekend at Goshen Scout Reservation

September 22-24, 2023
Units and volunteers are invited for a fall work weekend to assist in camp beautification! Open to members of the scouting community, participants will assist in painting, brush clearing, and other beautification tasks.

More information and registration can be found here: www.gotogoshen.org/vww

GSAA Service Weekend at Goshen Scout Reservation

October 13-15, 2023
Goshen Scout Reservation Staff Alumni are invited by the Goshen Staff Alumni Association (GSAA) for a fall work weekend! Open to staff alumni from any Goshen camp and any friends or family who want to help out, ages 18 and up. We’ll be fixing, painting, building, maintaining, and doing other such work on many projects around the Reservation. Meet other staff alumni new and old, spend some time at Goshen, and help us prepare for the next season of summer camp!

More information and registration can be found here: www.gotogoshen.org/gsaasw

Spooktakular Fall Festival at Camp William B. Snyder

October 27-29, 2023
Join us for a frightfully fun weekend at our Spooktacular Fall Festival. Go on a hayride, take part in the Zombie Run, shoot arrows at Archery, explore some STEM activities, and celebrate fall with food and crafts.

More information and registration can be found here: scoutingevent.com/082-70773

Other Events

Sawdust Saturdays

Support Camp William B. Snyder’s summer and year-round programs by volunteering! Service days run from 9am to 1pm and projects include carpentry and painting among others. Learn more at www.gotosnyder.org/work-volunteer/service-days/

Michael’s Woodshop

There’s always something happening at Michael’s Woodshop! Events this fall include Pinewood Derby Days, Woodwork Merit Badge Classes, and Baloo the Builder sessions. Learn more at www.gotosnyder.org/rentals/michaels-wood-shop

OPI Wilderness First Aid Training

Get trained for your 2024 high adventure with NCAC’s Outdoor Preparedness Initiative! Whether you are planning a trip to a National High Adventure, our local Lenhok’sin High Adventure, or designing your own expedition, this is a must have training. Certification is offered through the American Red Cross and fall sessions are open for registration. Learn more at www.ncacbsa.org/opi-wfa