As we’re getting ready for this year’s University of Scouting – are you registered yet? – here are some of my favorite photos from last year’s UoS.
Messengers of Peace Course Participants
Met a Scouter from Australia who is now registered with NCAC
The Abrahmic Faith Representatives from the New NCAC Religious Relationships Committee
James E. West and friends of the Endowment Committee
Wood Badge Buffalo Mahmood Qadri sporting a World Scout Jamboree Tartan cap.
NCAC’s College of Commissioner Service 2021 will be held virtually via Zoom on March 13 and 14, 2021. The program on Saturday, March 13 will consist of six class periods plus a Keynote Speaker. The Sunday program will consist of three class periods. Our Keynote Speaker is (tentatively) Roger Mosby, CEO and President of the Boy Scouts of America!
Registration will open in February. Watch this site for more news as it breaks!
Join us for our last and final Pow Wow webinar, Duty to God on Monday, December 21 at 7:30 pm.
Learn how to organize a Religious Emblems program in your pack.
NCAC Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow is a supplemental, action-packed training event for adult Cub Scout Leaders and all other adults interested in learning more about the Boy Scouts’ Cub Scout program. In the Pow Wow Webinars you will learn new ideas and concepts that will enhance your ability to deliver and support a fun-filled, exciting program to Cub Scouts.
Webinars will include relevant topics for every Cub Scout position and are designed to help you make their Cub Scout programs more fun for the Cub Scouts … and for the leaders too!!!
This 45-60 minutes session is offer by Zoom©. Link to registration: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErdeyqrzgvHdF0hesqVg2ArFDEibXEJ0iG
Welcome from the College of Cub Scouting. We’d like to explain a little bit about the nature and perspective of Cub College courses, because they are a little different than the supplemental training classes you might have taken at other training venues. Most such classes are presented from a mechanical perspective, in that its focus is to give you the immediate “how-to” practical knowledge necessary for running meaningful, successful, fun and exciting den and pack meetings and outings, while making the best and most efficient use of your time, talents, and energies.
The University of Scouting Cub College differs in that it has not a mechanical, but a philosophical perspective. To appreciate this philosophical perspective, think of the Cub College as akin to an experienced hiker taking periodic compass bearings in the woods. He might have all of the right gear in his pack, he might have acquired all of the knowledge needed to hike and camp in the woods, his walking techniques might be optimized to conserve energy, but none of that really matters if he is walking in the wrong direction.
In Cub College classes, we offer insight into the direction of your “travels” through the Cub Scout program. What are you as a Den Leader, a Cubmaster, or a Committee Member, trying to achieve in the Scouts in your charge? How can you understand your growing Scouts as they advance in rank, so you can meet their needs? How have others tailored their Cub programs to meet Scouting’s overall goals and objectives? How do you know when your program is succeeding, or when you need to adjust to make the Cub Scouting experience better and more meaningful? Answers to these questions – and many more – can be found here in the Cub College!
To view the full guide please visit https://bit.ly/uos2020
Conservationist, naturalist, outdoorswoman, and amazing scouter Carol Brown of the Old Dominion District was recently awarded the Hornaday Gold Badge. The BSA Hornaday Gold Badge is awarded by the local council to an adult Scouter or Venturing leader who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the education of youth on a council or district level for significant conservation efforts for a period of at least three years. Fewer than 60 scouters nationwide received this award in 2019 so it is a truly exceptional, coveted award. Ms. Brown is a tireless scouter, advisor, advocate, and counselor for scouts. Not only does she bring deep expertise and experience, but she also brings enthusiasm, energy, passion, and love of the outdoors to every task.
Below are excepts from her nomination letter:
Influence on youth and educational programs emphasizing sound stewardship of our nation’s natural resources for at least three years:
Ms. Brown has been counseling scouts in conservation-related merit badges such as Soil and Water Conservation, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Bird Study, Fish and Wildlife, Nature, Forestry, Insect Study, Mammal Study, and Reptile/Amphibian Study since 2009. She also teaches Environmental Issues and Plant and Animal Identification Skills and the Nature and Conservation section of the Old Dominion District’s Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills course. Part of the curriculum is introducing leaders to the conservation opportunities and awards available to scouts. She has been a member of the NCAC Conservation Committee since 2017 and the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee since 2018, attended the National William T. Hornaday Adviser training in 2018, became a Leave No Trace Trainer in 2018, and completed the TreadLightly Trainer course in 2019. Ms. Brown has co-taught the Hornaday Award course at the NCAC University of Scouting since 2018. Recently for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day (April 2020), she co-taught a lunch session about Hornaday Unit awards on Facebook live that has more than 1000 views. She advised one unit to earn the Hornaday Unit award, is currently advising two Hornaday Badge projects, and both of her sons earned Hornaday Badges. Regardless of the scouting activity Ms. Brown is leading, she teaches scouts and scouters to incorporate principles of the Outdoor Code into all aspects of scouting and into their lives.
Environmental improvement during a period of at least three years:
Ms. Brown worked with US Fish and Wildlife Service in Hawaii in wetlands conservation. She has participated in the Audubon Bird Census since 2005 and volunteered for the US Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer since 2010. She conducts biological research including avian migration studies and census data. For Scouts BSA, Ms. Brown is an OA Vigil member and worked with the Old Dominion Chapter of the Order of the Arrow to serve as the conservation advisor on two Ordeals that focused on invasive plant species removal: Hemlock Regional Overlook Park (2018) and Camp Fraser (2019). She was the conservation adviser for an Eagle project in erosion control work at Hidden Pond in Fairfax County and has also advised three additional Eagle projects in the survey area of her son’s Hornaday project.
Please join me in congratulating Ms. Brown for this prestigious conservation award!!!!!!
Congratulations to Bill Pzedpelski for earning the Herbert G. Horton Service to Youth Award from the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity (https://apo.org).
This prestigious award recognizes Brothers of Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity, who are in good standing that have made significant contribution to the youth of their communities by volunteering in the Scouting programs.
The award is also recognized by the BSA and qualifies for the Community Organization Award Knot (https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2011/08/01/updates-to-community-organization-award-square-knot/).
Mr. Pzedpelski worked on camp staff for the Heart of New England Council (then Nashua Valley Council) and the Daniel Webster Council before and during college. For the past 10 years, he has assisted the Zeta Mu chapter of Alpha Phi Omega at Catholic University of America, the Washington DC District, and the National Capitol Area Council with Merit Badge Events. He is the current chair of our NCAC MeritBadges@Home, enabling hundreds of Scouts BSA youth to earn merit badges virtually.
The award was presented November 20th at an online ceremony. You can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/AlphaPhiOmega.USA/videos/377382460243265/
Great job, Bill!
