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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Leaders

Bookmark these two essential Scouts BSA resources for new and longtime leaders

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This post originally published, April 13, 2019 by Bryan Wendell. Original post can be found at:
https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2019/04/11/bookmark-these-two-essential-scouts-bsa-resources-for-new-and-longtime-leaders/

Better make room on your bookmarks bar.

The BSA has refreshed and retooled a pair of online resources for Scouts BSA volunteers.

The first is the Program Resources page. Think of it as your quick-start guide to Scouts BSA. Here, you’ll find a collection of links for starting a Scouts BSA troop, helping Scouts earn merit badges, guiding youth leaders toward more effective troop meetings and more.

The second is the Program Updates page. This one’s for both newcomers and veterans, and it’s where the National Scouts BSA Committee posts the latest information on any changes to the program. If there’s a new program initiative, updated requirement or any change to Scouts BSA printed material, you’ll find it there first.

Feel free to stop reading here and explore the pages for yourself. If you’d like a little more info on what you’ll find at each one, keep scrolling.

Scouts BSA Program Resources page

  • Link: https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/resources/
  • Who it’s for: Adult volunteers, parents and Scouts
  • Why it’s useful: It’s a list of official resources to help your Scouts BSA troop be the best it can be.
  • What’s there:
    • A checklist for a new Scoutmaster who might be unfamiliar with Scouts BSA
    • The main page for family Scouting, which is the BSA’s initiative to welcome all members of the family into all Scouting programs
    • A one-page, customizable document you can use at parent orientation
    • A troop resource survey, which lets you learn the skills of each troop parent to identify potential merit badge counselors and volunteers
    • The latest requirements for every merit badge
    • The complete script for an orientation for new Scout parents
    • Resources to help you plan better troop meetings
    • Information on the National Eagle Scout Association, which is essentially an alumni group of those who have earned Scouting’s highest honor

Scouts BSA Program Updates page

  • Link: https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/program-updates/
  • Who it’s for: Adult volunteers, parents and Scouts
  • Why it’s useful: It’s a single place where you’ll find the latest updates or changes to Scouts BSA materials.
  • What’s there:
    • New or updated language for Scouts BSA printed materials, such as the Scouts BSA Handbook, Scouts BSA Requirements book or a merit badge pamphlet
    • Updated requirements for merit badges or ranks
    • Information on new Scouts BSA initiatives or opportunities

Share your favorite resources

What other Scouting-related sites are on your bookmarks bar? Leave a comment with your favorites.

Explorer Post 9119 Renewal Certificate Presentation

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On March 26, 2019, The National Capital Area Council, Mattaponi District Commissioner Neil Hornung presented Sheriff Roger Harris, Executive Officer for the Law Enforcement Explorer Post 9119 the Post’s renewal certificate for 2019. Explorer Post Advisors Deputy Marcia Curtis and Brian Blackington received the Commissioner’s Certificate of Appreciation for their outstanding volunteer service to the community.

The Explorer Program of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office provides an excellent opportunity for teenagers to gain knowledge and experience in the field of law enforcement for a future career. Explorers go through training courses, while supporting the community at numerous events. Explorers also get the chance to ride with deputies around Spotsylvania County, after completion of training.

Through the Explorer Program, young men and women gain community service hours, training, and experience. It also looks very good on a college application and job resumes. The Explorer Program is an excellent opportunity for teenagers and the entire County of Spotsylvania. Please visit: spotsylvaniasheriff.org

Photo: Mattaponi District Commissioner presents certificates to the Law Enforcement Explorer Post 9119 sponsored by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office. From left to right, District Commissioner Neil Hornung, Major Troy Skebo, Sheriff Roger Harris, Deputy Brian Blackington, and Deputy Marcia Curtis.

Join the National Scouts BSA Committee for Live Office Hours

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Join the National Scouts BSA committee and Scouters from around the country to learn more about the Scouts BSA program on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 8:30 pm ET during their live office hours.

This Q&A session is great for new Scouts BSA leaders to get answers to any question they have about the program. For example:

  • How to help new Scouts advance in rank
  • How to reinforce the Patrol Method
  • How to prepare for weekend overnight outdoor experiences
  • How to grow your new Scouts BSA troop

Please submit any questions you’d like to have addressed via email to Please submit any questions you’d like to have addressed via email to family.scouting@scouting.org family.scouting@scouting.org by April 15th. All questions will be answered, either during the live presentation or at a later time.

NCAC to Honor JBG Smith

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Each year the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America hosts Character Under Construction, a networking event for the real estate and construction industry, at which we honor one or more persons or companies in the industry. This year, we are honoring JBG Smith and highlighting their Central Place project by hosting the event at the CEB Tower Observation Deck.

This exciting event will be a luncheon on Wednesday, April 24th, 2019 at the [32nd Floor] Observation Deck, providing unparalleled 360-degree views of the city’s monuments and landmarks. JBG Smith President and Chief Operating Officer David Paul will be accepting the award on behalf of the company that landed the largest real estate deal of the year and created the tallest building inside the beltway.

JBG Smith demonstrates that with hard work and dedication you can accomplish anything, similar to the virtues of the Scouting program. While we honor JBG Smith, we will be raising funds to benefit Scouting – This event supports the character-building programs of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

To purchase tickets or learn about sponsorship opportunities at the event, please contact Tiffany Tomeo (Tiffany.Tomeo@Scouting.org, 301-214-9151) or visit www.NCACBSA.org/characterunderconstruction for more information.

Ensure Your Wilderness First Aid Course Meets BSA High-Adventure Standards

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All four of the BSA High-Adventure bases (HAB) require at least one person per trek (two per trek at Philmont Scout Ranch) to be current in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) through an approved provider. We want your trip to be safe and successful, and making certain that you have proper training certifications prior to launch is a big step towards that. Read on for tips on how to ensure that you’re prepared for that next high adventure trip, and how to verify that your current certifications meet BSA requirements.

Last fall we informed NCAC leaders about a third-party vendor providing WFA training without proper certifications. We continue to receive reports from Scouters that certifications for WFA that they received from a third-party vendor do not satisfy the requirements for High-Adventure as defined by BSA.

Your safety is of paramount importance to us, which is why we recently introduced our own WFA course to provide certifications suitable for both our High-Adventure Camp at Lenhok’sin and BSA’s 4 High-Adventure Bases. Information on NCAC WFA courses can be found at: www.ncacbsa.org/opi-wfa.

If you’ve already received a certification via a third-party vendor, please take the time to make certain it is current and valid. You can verify an ARC WFA certification by visiting redcross.org/take-a-class/digital-certificate. Simply search by your Email Address; by First Name, Last Name, Year and Month (when class was held); or by Certificate ID. If you also received a CPR certification with your WFA course, you can check it there too.

If you find that the ARC WFA certification you hold is NOT showing as valid within the ARC database but should be, we ask that you contact us directly. Please complete this form to report the situation and select “Certification Issue” for the topic.

If you do decide to use a third-party provider, we encourage you to verify their credentials via The American Red Cross or other governing agency prior to beginning any course. Directions for checking an instructor’s credentials prior to taking a class, can be found here. Be wary of providers who claim to “know” or “keep lists” of BSA requirements, but who are unable to provide BSA approved certifications for WFA per BSA WFA and High-Adventure requirements.To learn more about BSA approved providers and requirements, please visit BSA’s page on WFA and High-Adventure requirements at: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/training/wilderness-fa/

As always, if you have questions or concerns about a provider, please contact a Council professional for assistance. Your safety is our priority. Help keep Scouting safe for all. Get trained by a certified professional and make sure your certifications are up to date and valid.

We Need 5 Seconds of Video

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We need 5 seconds of video from you! (Well, actually, probably more like 2 seconds…)

We need you to deliver a hearty “Welcome to Washington, DC,” into the camera and send it to us. It can be in front of a monument, at a campsite, in your backyard, with friends, or just you…however and wherever you want. Your clip will be used to help welcome national representatives of Scouting to DC for an upcoming meeting.

Wear class As or Bs, be your friendly self, and drop it in the Google folder found here.

All videos are due to us by April 1st!