We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Leaders

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.”

National Women’s History Month: Elisabeth Warren The First Woman Goshen Scout Reservation Director

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NCAC would like to welcome and honor Elisabeth Warren as the first woman to serve as Goshen Scout Reservation Director. She has a passion for all things outdoors. Elisabeth’s family was heavily involved in Scouting and encouraged her to participate very early on. Her first time at Goshen and her experiences through Scouting encouraged her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science at Dickinson College. This will be Elisabeth’s 7th summer at Goshen but her first as Reservation Director. She acknowledges the lasting impact of women in Scouting before her. Elisabeth also encourages younger Scouts to follow their interests, pursue leadership positions, and never give up! She is a trailblazer in our Council and we are proud to honor her this Women’s History Month!

Visit the link to hear more about Goshen and her amazing journey of becoming Goshen Scout Reservation Director: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BkQBm1JhIs

National Women’s History Month: Julia Mae-Shen Lesko NCAC’s First Female Council Commissioner

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NCAC honors Julia Mae-Shen Lesko, she is the first woman to serve as Council Commissioner. Julia is an integral part of NCAC, specializing in youth and adult training.  She has trained Scouts and Scouters from around the world. Volunteers like Julia are what help NCAC provide our Scouts with quality programs and experiences.

When asked about her inspiration to continue her scouting journey through volunteering she stated: “I was a tag-along little sister to an Eagle Scout brother. My late father has been my inspiration in Scouting. He believed in the values of Scouting. He lived the values of Scouting every day. He instilled the value of Scouting in his children and his grandson. When my brother started in Cub Scouts, mom, and dad were den leaders. They would always have a table for me so I could do everything the boys did. When I was growing up, the BSA was not open to me, but I was a Girl Scout and an Explorer. I am so excited that Scouting has evolved into Family Scouting, and today there is a place for everyone in Scouting. Scouting has always been an important part of our family for three generations. I see how Scouting has had a positive impact on the life of my Eagle Scout son, his friends, the local community, and the global community.”

As a youth, Julia enjoyed Scouting as a Brownie, Girl Scout (First Class), and BSA Explorer (Scout Band). A passionate trainer, Julia is grateful for her many opportunities in Scouting to develop and deliver training to youth and adult leaders. She has developed training on three BSA national task forces: as chair of the Commissioner College Curriculum Update Task Force, as a member of the Wood Badge Update Task Force-Leadership Team, and as a writer of original training materials for the Cub Scout Roundtable Planning Guide Task Force. She has trained Scouts and Scouters from around the world at Philmont Training Center, Summit Bechtel Reserve, Florida Sea Base, and National Order of the Arrow Conference.  She is the immediate past National Wood Badge Coordinator and a former Regional Wood Badge Coordinator, Northeast Region area training chair, Order of the Arrow lodge training adviser, council training chair, and council Wood Badge coordinator.

While in college and law school, Julia served as a Girl Scout leader, Philmont Training Center summer staff, and BSA Explorer Post advisor. When her son joined Pack 1861 in Clifton, VA, as a Tiger Cub in 2003, Julia became the assistant Cubmaster and later Cubmaster. In response to requests to help start new packs, Julia helped start Pack 1136 at a new elementary school in Sully District and Pack 187 at Fairfax United Methodist Church in George Mason District, where she continues to serve as the unit commissioner. Julia served 12 years as an assistant Scoutmaster and Goshen summer camp coordinator for Troop 187, and later as assistant Crew Advisor for Crew 4. During this time, she also served at the district level as a district training chair, assistant roundtable commissioner, day camp coordinator, and district nominating chair; and at the council level as an assistant council commissioner (ACC) in various roles, which includes five years as the ACC- Commissioner College Dean

During her 23 years as a Scouter, Julia serves regularly as an instructor and/or midway coordinator for Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow, University of Scouting, and National Camp School-Day Camp Administration. She also has served as conference faculty and chair for the Northeast Region Wood Badge Course Director Conference and as course director for Wood Badge and for National Youth Leadership Training. As the Goshen Training Initiative coordinator (2009-2019) prior to the pandemic, Julia set up and delivered adult leader training every year at Goshen Summer Camp Week 1, and recruited volunteer trainers to fill the other weeks. She also served on SCUBA staff at three national scout jamborees and on Visitor Experience staff at the last world scout jamboree.

Julia also shared “I am proud to serve as the Council Commissioner and chief morale officer of the National Capital Area Council.  I give my heartfelt thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and professionals committed to making sure our Scouts and Scouters have a great Scouting experience as we join together to be the heart, build relationships, and change lives through Scouting!”

Julia believes in resilience and that we can make a positive difference in the lives of all youth through Scouting. A Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, Julia is the recipient of the Silver Buffalo Award, Silver Antelope Award, Silver Beaver Award, District Award of Merit, NCAC’s Andrew D. Grafton Exceptional Trainer Award, Philmont Training Center Masters Track Award (and device), and numerous other square knot training awards.

She is the proud mother of Timothy Farr, an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, married to Bethany St. Thomas, who earned her silver award and served as a Girl Scout ambassador. Julia is a member of Fairfax United Methodist Church, where she served 18 years as a handbell director, and founded the children’s handbell choir in 1991. A past Fairfax County Civil Service Commissioner and certified mediator, she is retired from serving as the Deputy Director for Case Management and Attorney Development at the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, where she had been regulating our nation’s freight railroads for over 34 years. She is married to Lieutenant Colonel (retired) John Lesko, an executive coach/facilitator, BSA COPE facilitator, and Wood Badge Scouter, who proudly serves as her wonderfully supportive aide to camp.

Thank you, Julia, for sharing your knowledge through training and being an amazing asset to NCAC’s Executive Committee.

 

National Capital Area Council Welcomes New Deputy Scout Executive

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Photo of G. Lee Murdoch
G. Lee Murdoch

The National Capital Area Council, BSA (NCAC) is pleased to announce G. Lee Murdoch as Deputy Scout Executive effective May 1, 2023.

Since 2019, Murdoch has served as the Scout Executive/CEO of the Conquistador Council, BSA in Roswell, New Mexico. Previously, he served as Director of Support Services, Director of Camping, and Field Director at the Crossroads of America Council, BSA in Indianapolis, Indiana. Before moving to Indiana, he was both a Program and Field Director at Del-Mar-Va Council, BSA, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware.

Murdoch grew up in Easton, Maryland where he was the second generation in his family to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He began his Scouting career as a seasonal camp staff employee teaching fishing, canoeing, and small boat sailing. He is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and is Wood Badge trained. Murdoch has a Master of Science in Parks and Recreation Management from Indiana University and Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Administration from Frostburg State University. He and his wife, Christina, have two young children.

As part of the selection process, Murdoch wrote, “We’re excited about the opportunity to relocate to the DC Metro Area as we feel it offers a great opportunity for our family to live, work and play in a community intimately connected with moving our country forward and near amazing natural resources.”

“After an extensive interview process, we are delighted to have Lee Murdoch join the leadership team at the National Capital Area Council,” said Mario A. Pérez, NCAC Scout Executive/CEO. Pérez continued by saying “Lee has both the depth and breadth of leadership necessary to help lead the largest BSA Council in the country, which serves nearly 34,000 Scouts and over 17,000 volunteers. We are thrilled that Lee is joining the team.”

 

National Women’s History Month : NCAC’s Christa Waterwiese

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NCAC would like to take this month to highlight Christa Waterwiese an amazing woman that make our Scouting Program outstanding! She currently serves NCAC as the Senior District Executive for Washington, D.C..

Christa  has been involved in Scouting most of her life and was inspired to pursue a career in Scouting. She shared:
” I was always aware that a career in Scouting was possible, but not what it entailed until college. When I graduated in summer of 2019, I went to spend a final summer as the Aquatics Director of Swift High Adventure Base in the Greater Saint Louis Area Council. That summer, several Scouting professionals came down to camp and took interested staff to a dinner in town to learn about career Scouting. While some folks definitely went for the free (non-camp) meal, there were several that were truly interested in possibility. At the end of the summer, I jetted off to the World Scout Jamboree and then Richmond, VA to move in with my long-term girlfriend. In a brand-new city, I turned to what always brought me comfort: Scouting. I learned of an opening in Heart of Virginia Council through a mentor and applied. The rest is history.”

Christa also recalled volunteers and Scouters that provided guidance in her Scouting Journey.

She stated: “My childhood Council had a strong Venturing program, and I had the fortune to be behind a fantastic cohort of female youth leaders. I was truly inspired by their work and many of them went on to become Regional and National Venturing Officers. A few key members of this group took the time to mentor my growing interest; driving me to meetings all over the city, recommending NYLT and NAYLE, and championing my decisions to run for various District, Council, and Area positions.

Two adults I want to acknowledge are Lisa Abernathy and Jenn Hancock. Lisa was my Camp Director at Swift and whose integrity and work ethic I continuously strive to emulate. Jenn is the type of woman who blazes ahead and looks behind her to bring other women along. Both provided me with valuable lessons, modeled a life lived by the Scout Oath and Law, and generously gave me opportunities based on my potential. I would not be where I am today without these two women.”

When asked what representation  in the world of Scouting means to her, Christa replied:

“Representation means belonging. When you see others like yourself in Scouting, the little voice of imposter ridden concern finally starts to dissipate. To this day, I still look around the room to count the number of female heads. To this day, I still hesitate before mentioning “my wife” in discussions. While I am delighted with the progress Scouting has made (progress I did not think I would see before my future kids were in the program) that does not mean there is not work to be done. If I want to achieve my goal- that every child has the opportunity to join Scouting- I need to ensure that every child knows they are welcome in the program. And that means moving Scouting towards a place where its adult leadership is representative of the US citizenry. Representation means bringing the local community together to champion the future of our young people, a future Scouting can change for the better.”

Please help NCAC honor Christa who continues to make a great impact in our Scouting Community.