Scouting Programs

Scouts from Troop 1066 located in Jefferson, Maryland routinely pursue merit badges as a part of their Scouting Program. During the month of April, they chose to complete the Chemistry Merit Badge. During several meetings, Scouts learned the differences between physical and chemical changes, why atmospheric pressure can affect hikers and scuba divers, and why caramelization makes food taste delightful. Scouts also discovered why manufacturing single-use items can be harmful to the environment and why it’s important to safely store and dispose of products that could harm the environment. Scouts completed the Chemistry Merit Badge by visiting the biotech company, Lonza Walkersville, Inc located in Frederick County, Maryland. The Walkersville location is the largest manufacturing site for Lonza Bioscience and has had a footprint in Frederick County since 1974. Scouts toured the facility and learned about a lifesaving product Lonza manufactures at the location. LAL, Limulus Amebocyte Lysate, is found in the blue blood of the Atlantic Horseshoe Crab and is a key component in Endotoxin Detection Kits. This incredibly unique compound is instrumental in detecting endotoxin found in Gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxin is widely present in the environment and exposure could lead to sepsis in humans. In order to ensure that Lonza creates the highest quality products, its Quality Control Laboratory uses chemistry to test raw materials arriving at the facility and finished products prior to shipping to customers. Scouts wore lab coats and safety glasses as they learned to weigh material, transfer liquids with a pipette, and watch a chemical reaction used to test reagents. The Scouts ended the Chemistry Merit Badge with newfound knowledge of the critical importance of a 475-million-year-old species and how the principles of chemistry can affect their everyday life.

In April, BSA Troop 55 (Great Falls, VA) got presented the Volunteer Award by Ms. Franice Sewell,  the Supervisory Park Ranger from the North District of the George Washington Memorial Parkway National Park Services. Troop 55 was honored for community service, stewardship, and partnership with the Great Falls National Park (VA).

For many years, Troop 55B & 55G scouts and scouters have supported this neighboring national park with many Eagle Scout projects, Leave No Trace (LNT) education sessions, Cub Scout Day at the Park, as well as three years of biweekly litter pick up projects during the nation’s COVID-19 challenge. Currently, Troop 55 has five Eagle Scout candidates working with the Great Falls National Park on their Eagle projects.

Scout Thomas Y. (LNT project lead) and Drew K. (Litter pick up project lead) represented Troop 55 and received the award from Ranger Sewell, along with Troop 55 Eagle Scout advisor Mrs. Kristie Kim and Scoutmaster Jeff Ye (Troop 55B).

In addition to the Great Falls National Parks, Troop 55 volunteers supported many local, regional, and national parks with many service projects: Wolf Trap National Park, Daingerfield Island National Park, River Bend Regional Park, Sandy Run Regional Park, Fairfax Difficult Run Stream Park,  Great Falls Grange Park, and South Run Park,  to name a few.

March 5th was a cold and windy day, but the Scouts’ rocket was ready to launch. After four weekends of meticulously gluing together fins, tubes, and nose cones, their custom built spacemodel was loaded with parachutes and a motor for its delicate mission. The rocket was specially designed to carry one Grade A hen’s egg to 850 feet and gently return to the ground in 45 seconds without breaking the egg, as part of the Scouts’ entry in the The American Rocketry Challenge (TARC) contest.

This annual contest, sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry, combines hands on STEM education and teamwork exercises for students in 6th thru 12th grades. Teams launch local qualification flights with the top 100 scoring teams being invited to the national competition held in Northern Virginia in May. The top 10 finishers share over $100,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Seven BSA Scouts from Stafford County’s Aquia District formed a team to compete in the TARC for the first time. During the build sessions, members divided up construction jobs under the direction of Peter, their Senior Patrol Leader.

Some Scouts worked on the engine mount and payload section, while others designed and cut out the fins. They used a software program for altitude predictions to help the Scouts match the best motor for the mission. “I liked working out the calculations and figuring out which size motors would get us the most height.” said Chase R. who ran several altitude predictions.

As part of their preparations, the team flew smaller rockets to learn the basics of construction and launch operations. Some Scouts even started building and flying their own models. Once at the launch site, each team member contributed to final assembly, integrating payloads and checking to ensure all systems were “Go”.

Although the team did not qualify for the national competition, several Scouts are eager to try again next year. In addition to a great team-building and STEM experience, the activity counted towards the Scouts’ Space Exploration Merit Badge.

The team was sponsored by the National Association of Rocketry’s Rappahannock Rocketeers Club. Educators or students interested in participating in next year’s events can contact NARsection908@gmail.com for more information.

Ready to begin your family’s Scouting adventures too? To join BSA, please go to www.beascout.org to find a BSA Scout unit near you – Cub Scouting serves families with children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade; Scouts BSA serves familieswith children ages 11-18. There are BSA programs for families with older Youths, ages 14 – 20,including Venturing, Exploring or Sea Scouting.

The mission of the BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Aquia District includes Stafford County, VA, and Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information on Scouting in the Stafford/Fredericksburg area, including how to donate, join or volunteer, contact Kristy Freeman, Aquia District Executive, at Kristy.Freeman@Scouting.org or call (540)287-3866

On Friday, March 17th, Scouts from Troop 46 (Shiloh Baptist Church), Troop 1889, and Pack 578 participated in a dynamic visit to the Stafford County Courthouse led by Dr. Norman Carter, Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 46 and 1889. The group arrived at 8 a.m. sharp, and was met by Captain Carey, Officer in Charge of the Stafford County Courthouse and Sarah Buskirk, Law Clerk and co-organizer of the visit. The Scouts assembled in uniform and ready to learn. But, this was more than just an ordinary visit.

As the Scouts gathered at the entrance to the Administration Building, they were greeted by a very important person in local government. Dr. Pamela Yeung, Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, happened to be walking by and took the time to share wisdom and insights with the Scouts about the importance of community and her own support of their willingness to engage in Scouting and took photos with the Scouts.

Circuit Court Judge J. Bruce Strickland was the first to welcome the Scouts into his courtroom. Judge Strickland graciously took the time to personally explain the Court’s operations and activities. He encouraged the Scouts to stay in school, study hard, and strive to be their best. The Judge also discussed the importance of stewardship; pushing the Scouts to take initiative and be a driving force for good in their communities.

From there, the Scouts visited the General District Court, Judge Angela O’Connor, presiding. In Judge O’Connor’s courtroom, the Scouts observed misdemeanor traffic cases. Judge O’Connor talked with the Scouts from the bench, answering a myriad of questions about criminal law and procedure. The Scouts learned about the differences between misdemeanor and felony cases, a jury versus a bench trial, and how the courtroom operates.

To close the visit, the Scouts went to an unused courtroom to speak with Captain Carey and meet First Sergeant Chinault, a former Scout himself. At this final presentation, the Scouts learned about community policing, law enforcement procedures, and were encouraged to ask questions and get to know the officers.

Ready to begin your family’s Scouting adventure? To join BSA, go to www.beascout.org to find a BSA Scout unit near you – Cub Scouting serves families with children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade; Scouts BSA serves families with children ages 11-18. There are BSA programs for families with older Youths, ages 14 – 20, including Venturing, Exploring, or Sea Scouting.

The mission of the BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Aquia District includes Stafford County, VA, and Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information on Scouting in the Stafford/Fredericksburg area, including how to donate, join or volunteer, contact Kristy Freeman, Aquia District Executive, at Kristy.Freeman@Scouting.org or call (540)287-3866.