We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Leaders

2023 NCAC Venturing Court of Honor

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The NCAC Venturing Court of Honor was held on Sunday. Outstanding Venturers were presented with the Summit, Ranger, Council Venturing Leadership, and Territory Venturing Leadership awards. Congratulations to all of the honorees and the new Council Venturing Officers Association members!

Venturing is a year-round program for young men and women ages 14-20 (or 13 and have completed 8th grade) that provides positive experiences through exciting and meaningful youth-run activities that help them pursue their special interests, grow by teaching others, and develop leadership skills. To learn more visit:
https://www.ncacbsa.org/venturing-program/

Proud of our graduating Explorers!

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Throughout the year, Prince George’s County Police Department operates a law enforcement Exploring program at six of their stations. Youth meet weekly for hands-on skills trainings on physical fitness, radios, traffic safety, and forensics; and they participate in regular community service activities.

The Explorer Posts support community events like National Night Out, Toys for Tots, Shop with a Cop, sporting events, and local fairs.

This month, we celebrate all the Explorers who are graduating – both from the program and their high schools!

Explorer Advisors Sgt Jeffries & Cpl Muse were on hand to support and congratulate Explorer A. Perry from Explorer Post 301 as he graduated from Fairmont Heights High School. Chief Aziz & all of the PGPD are proud of your achievement Explorer Perry!

 

 

Explorer Post 1111 celebrated their final post meeting for the 2022-2023 school year. Several Explorers were promoted in rank and a special dedication was given to Explorer Captain Villalobos. We are so proud of all the Explorers.

Last but not least, we are overjoyed to share that one former Explorer from PGPD Post 222 is going on to begin her police career with the Forest Heights Police Department.

 

Arrow of Light Scout Awarded Charles H. Townes Supernova Award

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Sam B. has been actively pursuing interests in science and technology ever since returning to in-person school after the Pandemic. He actively pursued extracurricular science groups and the Science Fair, and he started to notice: many of the Arrow of Light requirements he was completing for Scouts included science and technology. This spurred Sam to investigate the various STEM Nova awards offered to Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts.

Sam’s first STEM Nova Award, Cub Scouts Can Code, was made possible through the organization and effort of the National Capital Area Council, which arranged a virtual Coding event. When he completed this and the final Webelos Activity Pin (Super Achiever!), he realized the Charles H. Townes Supernova Award he had been eyeing for over a year could be achieved.

Fortunately for Sam, at this same time Josh Y., a leader in Pack 436, became a Scouts STEM Nova counselor. When Josh scheduled a Nova award eligible event at iFly Montgomery County, this gave Sam the opportunity to earn Up and Away. When Sam saw he could earn a second Nova award – the golden pi device! – he was able to work with Josh to verify the completion of all the Townes Supernova requirements. On May 17, 2023, Sam was thrilled to receive this prestigious award from his Cubmaster Howie Draisen at his final Pack meeting.

Sam proudly wore his Townes medal as he was recognized with his Arrow of Light and bridged from Pack 436 to Troop 1097 on May 24, 2023.

 

Former Explorer, Now Officer, Forms a New Post

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Post 1910 at their recent inaugural banquet.

Gerson Cruz participated in Scouting as an Explorer in Prince George’s Police Department. After he graduated, he was hired by the neighboring police department in Mount Rainier, where he founded an Exploring Post.

“Being an Explorer for Post 600 in Prince George’s County really showed me what it meant to be able to help the community and reach my goal of being a police officer!” said Gerson Cruz.  “My goal had always to give back to the community that gave me so much when I was an Explorer and living in a very low-income family. To now be in charge of Mount Rainier Post 1910 and have 40+ Explorers is surreal to me and makes me realize I finally made it. Without Explorers I don’t believe I’d be where I am in life today and for that I will give this program everything I possibly can!”

In one year, Officer Cruz has recruited 40 youth to the program which demonstrates an extremely successful recruitment effort. In our Council, he is our youngest Exploring Advisor to date.

 

 

Michael’s Woodshop Recognizes Distinguished Volunteers

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Pictured: CJ Staton (left) & Mell Cunningham (right)

On May 7, Michael’s Woodshop presented the Distinguished Volunteer Award to volunteers CJ Staton and Mell Cunningham in recognition of their “many years of consistent and dedicated contributions of time and talent to the development and operation of Michael’s Woodshop”.

CJ began volunteering in the fall of 2017, when Michael’s Woodshop was still in the concept phase. He was engaged in the initial planning and construction, helping with the installation of the insulation and walls, running conduit, pulling hundreds of feet of wire and installing dozens and dozens of receptacles throughout the shop. He is a regular volunteer during program sessions and is in the process of upgrading our jigs and templates using his 3D printer. Among his most notable and valuable contributions has been the development of many of our most successful programs; Pinewood Derby Days, Baloo the Builder, Webelos Build It and our Youth Assistant Program, which he continues to lead today.

Mell began volunteering in the spring of 2018, assisting with the completion of the lumber rack, the first major improvement in Michael’s Woodshop. For the next 7 months, Mell volunteered on an almost full-time basis completing the interior improvements including all of the work benches, shelving, tool storage systems and the dust collection system. After the shop officially opened in November 2018 (and continuing today), Mell has consistently spent several mornings a week in the shop working on numerous shop improvements and preparing materials for youth activities. He is a prolific “jig maker”, designing and constructing jigs to support youth activities and is currently developing our third summer camp project design (including project prototypes, jigs and evaluating process flow).

Please join us in recognizing CJ and Mell for their incredible contributions to Michael’s Woodshop. If you are interested in volunteering, please see “Join the Michael’s Woodshop Team” on our webpage, or email any questions to MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.

National Capital Area Council Announces New Director of Field Services

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The National Capital Area Council is pleased to announce Stuart Goins as the new Director of Field Services effective May 1, 2023.

Since 2021, Goins has served as the Scout Executive/CEO of Tuscarora Council in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Previously, he was the Director of Field Service for Quivira Council in Wichita, Kansas from 2019 to 2021. Past experience also includes Assistant Scout Executive for Norwela Council in Shreveport, LA and District Director in the Sam Houston Area Council in Houston, TX.

Goins has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA. He grew up in Louisiana and was a Scout. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, is Wood Badge trained, and is a James E. West Fellow.

“Everyone involved with Stuart’s interview process connected with his welcoming personality,” said Mario A. Pèrez, NCAC Scout Executive/CEO. “We know his years of experience will benefit the NCAC. We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Stuart Goins to NCAC’s leadership team.”