We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouting Programs

Local Hero Credits Scouting for Split-Second Life-Saving Action

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Last Wednesday at a D.C. neighborhood movie night, teens threw a Roman candle firework into the crowd of parents and children. Josh grabbed it and threw it away from everyone else. When asked why he acted to help, he credited Scouting.
When we invest in youth through Scouting, we build communities where people step up for one another. Scouting prepares youth to lead and serve when it matters most. Get involved in Scouting today.

Pack 578 Completes Another Exceptional Year of Adventure, Service, and STEM

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Pack 578, proudly chartered by Richland Baptist Church and serving families throughout Stafford County, concluded the 2025–2026 Scouting year with an extraordinary record of adventure, service, leadership development, and STEM achievement. More than just a program, Pack 578 continues to offer families a dynamic, year-round experience that shapes confident, capable, and community-minded youth.

A Growing and Thriving Pack

The Pack maintained a strong and active membership of 64 Cub Scouts and welcomed 18 new Scouts into the Scouting family this year. Thirteen Arrow of Light Scouts, having completed the highest rank in Cub Scouting, successfully crossed over into Scouts BSA troops and were well-prepared to take on new leadership challenges and outdoor adventures.

A Year Full of Adventure

Pack 578 offers a full calendar of meaningful, hands-on experiences that bring families together. Over the past year, Scouts:

  • Hiked an incredible 239 miles across Virginia, including at Chancellorsville, Lake Anna, and conservation areas throughout the region
  • Camped for more than 120 nights
  • Explored historic battlefields, state parks, and conservation areas
  • Participated in canoeing, kayaking, climbing, cycling, and ropes courses
  • Camped at premier locations such as Camp William B. Snyder
  • Enjoyed unforgettable overnight experiences including a Fredericksburg Nationals game and a stay aboard a historic naval vessel in Norfolk

From canoeing and kayaking excursions, rocket launches, ropes courses and climbing activities, cycling events, and numerous outdoor family adventures, every activity was carefully designed to build confidence, resilience, and a love for the outdoors.

Service That Makes a Difference

At its core, Scouting is about giving back and Pack 578 lives that mission. This year, Scouts and families contributed an outstanding 898 hours of community service.

Key accomplishments include:

  • Collecting over 1,500 pounds of food through Scouting for Food
  • Supporting Wreaths Across America
  • Participating in conservation and environmental projects
  • Serving local churches, schools, and community organizations

These experiences instill values of compassion and responsibility, helping Scouts understand the true impact they can make.

Building Character and Faith

Pack 578 is committed to developing the whole child. Ten Scouts earned religious emblems representing multiple faith traditions, an achievement that reflects the Pack’s dedication to fostering strong moral character alongside leadership skills and outdoor knowledge.

A Leader in STEM Education

One of Pack 578’s defining strengths is its hands-on STEM programming. Scouts engaged in:

  • Coding workshops and engineering challenges
  • Bridge-building and design projects
  • Science museum experiences
  • Model rocketry and NOVA programs

This year alone, Scouts earned dozens of NOVA awards and four prestigious Supernova awards, demonstrating exceptional curiosity, discipline, and academic achievement.

Memorable Events for the Whole Family

Pack 578 creates lasting memories through signature events and community traditions, including:

  • Cub-o-Ree and Webelos-Ree
  • Pinewood Derby and Raingutter Regatta
  • Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)
  • Range and Target Day
  • Veterans Day Parade participation
  • Blue and Gold Banquet celebrations

Family favorites like the Bike Rodeo, Pack the Pool, Urban Air outing, and visits to historic and educational sites ensure that Scouting is not just for the Scouts—it’s an experience shared by the entire family.

Powered by Dedicated Volunteers

Behind every mile hiked and every badge earned is a team of committed adult volunteers, den chiefs, and youth leaders. Their passion and dedication make Pack 578 one of the most active and respected Cub Scout packs in the region.

Looking Ahead: Your Family’s Next Adventure

As Pack 578 looks toward the 2026–2027 program year, the mission remains clear: to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices by living the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

With a strong membership, an exceptional outdoor program, and a commitment to service, leadership, and STEM, Pack 578 offers something truly special:

A place where families connect, children grow, and lifelong memories are made.

Join the Adventure

For Pack 578 families, this past year was a journey of growth, friendship, discovery, and achievement.

If you are looking for a program where your child can explore the outdoors, build confidence, learn new skills, serve the community, and have fun along the way, Pack 578 is ready to welcome you.

Vienna250 Uncovering History One Brick at a Time

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What started as a simple service project turned into a powerful discovery for Troop 1539 from Vienna, Virginia.

While recovering bricks from a long-lost 18th-century Vienna, Virginia home of Jeremiah Moore (1746–1815) a Baptist minister who advocated for the separation of church and state, Scouts uncovered something unexpected – handmade bricks bearing fingerprints and even children’s footprints from more than 250 years ago. These hidden marks tell a deeply human story tied to our nation’s early history and the lives of those who were often forgotten.

It’s a moving reminder of how service can connect us to the past in meaningful ways as Scouts across our Council are involved in special acts of service for America250.

👉 Read the full story from Connection Newspapers to learn about the discovery and the incredible impact it had on everyone involved: https://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2026/jun/16/vienna-scouts-unearth-enslaved-legacy-at-moorefield/

 

Scouting C.A.R.E.S. Pack 5600 Explores Great Falls National Park

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Scouting C.A.R.E.S. Pack 5600 from E.W. Stokes Elementary School recently visited Great Falls National Park for a day of hands-on learning and outdoor exploration. The experience gave students the opportunity to connect classroom concepts with the natural world through guided activities and outdoor engagement.

During the visit, students participated in the park’s Flower Adventure Program, where they learned about native and invasive flowers found in the local environment. In addition to the educational programming, students enjoyed fishing and took part in field games, making the day both informative and fun. The trip provided a meaningful setting for students to build teamwork and confidence while developing a deeper appreciation for nature. By experiencing learning outside the classroom, students were able to see real-world applications of what they study and strengthen connections with their peers.

What Is Scouting C.A.R.E.S.?

Scouting C.A.R.E.S.—which stands for Character, Achievement, Respect, Education, and STEM—is an initiative of the National Capital Area Council designed to expand access to Scouting for all youth. The program partners with schools and community organizations across the DMV to bring hands-on, character-based Scouting experiences to communities that would benefit from a vibrant Scouting program. Through Scouting C.A.R.E.S., youth participate in programs that emphasize character development, leadership, ethics, and moral values, while fostering curiosity, resilience, and a sense of belonging. The initiative reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and works to ensure Scouting is inclusive and available to all young people, regardless of background or circumstance. Scouting C.A.R.E.S. provides in-school, afterschool, and community-based outreach programming led by positive adult role models. Youth enrolled in the program enjoy the same Scouting experiences as Scouts throughout the Council, including outdoor opportunities such as Day Camp and Resident Camp.

To learn more about our National Capital Area Council’s Scouting C.A.R.E.S. program, visit NCAC’s website: https://ncacscouting.org/scouting-cares/

               

America250 in Action: Building Informed Citizens with Troop 1107 at the U.S. Capitol

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Scouts from Troops 1107B and 1107G had the opportunity to see the government in action during a tour of the U.S. Capitol Building, facilitated by the staff of Rep. James Walkinshaw (VA-11) as part of the Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge. The tour was held on April 21, as many scouts had the day off for the state’s special election.

Led by Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor James Dreier, the scouts visited the Old Supreme Court Chamber, the Old Senate Chamber, the crypt and several other locations inside the Capitol Building.

Walkinshaw’s office presented the scouts with passes to the House of Representatives gallery to have the experience of watching a debate on bills as they unfolded on the floor of the lower chamber.

In all, more than two dozen scouts, scouters, and parents were able to take part in the tour.

Troop 1107 B and Troop 1107G are chartered by St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5952 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA. In addition to the troops, the church also charters Pack 867, Crew 80 and is the meeting place for the Order of the Arrow – Accotink Bay Chapter.

For more information on the units, email troop1107ncac@gmail.com.

   

Cub Scouts In Action: Community Cleanup and Nature Exploration

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group of Cub Scouts standing in front of a pond during their trash pick up nature hike.

Earlier this month, a group of Cub Scouts from Pack 160 in Herndon, VA came together for a 2.5‑mile spring hike along the ponds and trails in their community of Franklin Farm. The goal was simple: enjoy the nice weather, help clean up the neighborhood, and learn more about the wildlife around us.

Working Together and Helping the Community

All of our Scouts put on gloves, grabbed trash bags, and teamed up in small groups to scour the trails for litter. By the end of the hike, we filled two trash bags with wrappers, bottles, and other trash found along the trails and ponds. Several neighbors stopped to thank the Scouts for helping keep the area clean, which gave everyone a great chance to practice being polite and representing Scouting well.

The most memorable find of the day was the bottom half of an early‑2000s Sony PSYC CD Walkman. None of the Scouts knew what it was, so we paused for a fun “old‑school music” lesson. The parents got a good laugh from the guesses!

Fun Wildlife Discoveries

Spring wildlife was everywhere along the trails. The Scouts spotted turtles sunbathing on logs, deer and dog tracks in the mud, a fallen bird egg, and even a crawfish shell left behind on a bridge. During a quick snack break, a large flock of Sandhill Cranes flew overhead, calling loudly — a rare and exciting sight.

Practicing Leave No Trace

Throughout the hike, we talked about the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles. And our Scouts practiced staying on the right side of the path, giving space to dogs and other walkers, and respecting both nature and the people around them.

A Great Day Outdoors

It was a perfect spring afternoon to serve the community, learn about nature, and enjoy being outside together. Scouts from all age groups worked as a team, explored the outdoors, and showed what it means to “leave the world better than you found it.”