On January 20th, Scout Executive Craig Poland presented the NCAC Centennial Club award to Pastor Tracy McNeil Vines during Scout Sunday observance at the Clarendon United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia. The church is one of only four in the Council that has sponsored Scouting for over 100 consecutive years!
Leaders
26th Camporee Centroamericano
Phillip Fantozzi and his son Jack, a 2nd Class Scout, recently attended the 26th Camporee Centroamericano in Honduras. What follows are their thoughts and recollections on the experience. Thank you to Phillip and Jack for sharing.
Phillip Fantozzi
My son Jack and I attended the 26th Camporee Centroamericano, which was held 26-31 December 2019 near the town of Valle de Angeles, which is about 30 minutes outside Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. We were the only 2 BSA Scouts out of about 1,000 scouts from Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama.
We had a great time at the event. Jack slept in a troop tent with members of Troop 23 from Tegucigalpa who were very friendly and welcoming. The event was split into 4 “trails,” focusing on service, sports, cultural activities, and scoutcraft. We ate our meals at the mess hall and were transported to different events in Honduran Army trucks.
Jack Fantozzi
One of my most interesting experiences as a scout is the Central American Scout Camporee 2018. There were hundreds of scouts there from all over the region, from Mexico to Panama. I went with Troop 23 (“Panteras” or “Panthers”) from Honduras. I live in Honduras near their meeting place in a park, and I was already a 2nd Class scout so I went to learn about scouting in other countries.
It was interesting being the only American scout at the Camporee. I traded BSA patches the first night, and the rest of the time I was there I constantly had scouts asking to trade. There were long conversations about scouting, selfies, and even videos of us talking to people about BSA. It was an interesting experience, and I think everyone should try to go to an international scouting event once in their lifetime. It is a growing, learning, and changing experience.
All photos courtesy of
Get Wilderness First Aid Certified
NCAC is now offering a Wilderness First Aid Certification course!
Presented by the NCAC Camps, the Outdoor Preparedness Initiative (OPI) offers Wilderness First Aid certification with CPR/AED. OPI aims to prepare Scouts, Scouters, and outdoor enthusiasts for high adventure activities and other outdoor adventures. Certification is provided through the American Red Cross. Courses will be offered at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. During the summer, OPI will move to Goshen Scout Reservation in Goshen, VA to offer courses to adult leaders attending one of the six Goshen camps.
When attending national and local high adventure bases, at least one member of the crew needs to be certified in Wilderness First Aid. As always, Scouters are encouraged to check out the information for the high adventure base you are attending to learn more about their specific requirements.
To attend, participants must be at least 14 years old and hold current adult CPR/AED certification. Because CPR/AED certification is required, you’ll need proof of that certification, should you decide to take the course. For those who are not certified and need it to complete the WFA cert, CPR/AED certification is also offered as an option during this course.
To accommodate the needs of those in the NCAC community, several convenient course dates have been established for Camp Snyder.
| Course Date |
|---|
| January 25-27, 2019 |
| February 22-24, 2019 |
| March 22-24, 2019 |
| April 26-28, 2019 |
| May 10-12, 2019 |
More information on the OPI courses offered at Goshen Scout Reservation is coming soon. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Goshen website at www.gotogoshen.org.
OPI will also provide complimentary coffee, tea, and water during the course at Camp Snyder, as well as a continental breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. Unfortunately, at this time they will not be able to accommodate special dietary needs. Participants should make their own plans for dinner and are encouraged, but not required, to bring snacks, especially to share! Participants will be welcome to tent camp on the grounds near the instruction building. Hotels are also available nearby.
For more information, please contact Jonathan Bjorson, OPI Lead Instructor via email at jonathan.bjorson@gmail.com
University of Scouting Is February 23rd: Registration Closes February 17th
The “University of Scouting”, a supplemental training opportunity for all adult Scout leaders, returns to Hayfield High School on February 23. It is the one time during the year where you can find the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas all in one place. The University offers interesting courses in Cub Scouting, ScoutsBSA, what we call “Adventuring” (a combination of Venturing and Sea Scout activities), District Operations, and an Electives College where the classes cover a broad range of areas of interest to scouting but not specific to any one scouting program. A key topic across all programs this year will Family Scouting. The University has a degree program where, over time, attendees can earn Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Adventuring. Classes are taught by experienced scouters and scouting professionals, many in subject areas not otherwise covered in the usual adult leader training curriculum.
We will offer over 160 different courses from which to choose. In addition to the academic program, there is more… a midway where up to fifty vendors and council committees will have exhibits describing how their products and services can enhance your scouting program and a scout shop trading post where you can pick up needed items without having to drive to a Scoutshop. And finally, there will be a scouting museum where dedicated collectors will be displaying their extensive collections of scouting memorabilia. At the closing ceremony, we will be presenting the D. Andrew Grafton Exceptional Trainer Award. This annual award, presented by the NCAC Leadership Training Committee, recognizes a single NCAC scouter for sustained, dedicated and highly skilled service to scouting over the years by demonstrating a high commitment to quality adult leader training.
The University of Scouting provides all the above, along with great fellowship with dedicated scouters, making this a day to be remembered. Registration is $40 until February 17 after which it goes to $60. It includes morning refreshments, lunch, an event patch, course materials, a certificate, and a special recognition for PhD recipients. Whether you are new to scouting or a veteran of many years, the University is a place where you can learn from experienced Scouters from all over the council; it truly provides something for everyone.
Hayfield High School is close to the Beltway, just south of Alexandria, VA. Doors open at 7:15 AM. The opening ceremony starts at 8:15 AM with the closing ceremony ending by 4:30. In 2018 over 900 scouters were in attendance. Help us pass 1000 for 2019. Register now. Click here.
Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat
BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting requires any BSA aquatic activity to be supervised by an adult who has completed Safe Swim Defense (for swimming activities) and Safety Afloat (for boating activities). Each of these training courses takes about 45 minutes to complete and are available online at my.scouting.org. These courses are also available in-person at the 2019 NCAC University of Scouting on February 23. The in-person version of the training allows you to ask questions of the experienced trainer. Sign up for these sessions today so you can be prepared to support safe and fun aquatics activities this year.
CPR/AED/First Aid Training
Are you planning on earning the prestigious BSA Lifeguard certification at summer camp this year? If so, please be aware that professional level CPR/AED and First Aid training is a course requirement but not usually done as part of the BSA Lifeguard course at camp. You can complete that requirement ahead of time by enrolling in our American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid courses to be held on April 13 at Fairfax Presbyterian Church. The courses use the blended learning method where you complete knowledge development at your own pace online before the classroom session where you practice the hands-on skills. Minimum age is 15 years old. Register for the course at ncacbsa.org/aquatics.