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!!
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
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:
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
The NCAC Camps are hosting spring service weekends! Make a spring visit to your favorite camp and help with camp improvement projects.
Goshen Scout Reservation Staff Alumni are invited by the Goshen Staff Alumni Association (GSAA) for a spring service weekend! Open to staff alumni from any Goshen camp and any friends or family who want to help out, ages 18 and up. There will be projects supporting all the camps getting ready for the 2023 Summer season. Projects include making chuckboxes for Camp Marriott and Camp Bowman, fixing up Camp Ross’s Aquatics tower, replacing benches at the Camp Olmsted chapel, and working on getting the Mountain Man outpost settled at its new location for Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Meet other staff alumni new and old, spend some time at Goshen, and help prepare for the next season of summer camp!
Get the full list of projects, get more details, and register at www.gotogoshen.org/gsaasw
Units and volunteers are invited for a spring work weekend to assist in camp beautification! Open to members of the scouting community, participants will assist in painting, stage repair, and building projects. This weekend is open to scouting youth and adults. Youth participants will need to have Youth Protection compliant supervision – either with a parent/guardian or with a contingent from their unit.
Get the full list of projects, get more details, and register at www.gotogoshen.org/vww
Join the Camp Snyder volunteers for a day to support Camp Snyder’s summer and year-round programs. Service days run from 9am to 1pm and projects include carpentry and painting among others. There is no Sawdust Saturday in April and the May Sawdust Saturday is still TBD, so stay tuned for the date! Can’t make it in the spring? Sawdust Saturdays will pick up again after the summer camp season, starting August 19.
Learn more and sign up at www.gotosnyder.org/work-volunteer/service-days/
