We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouting Programs

Learn Python Coding with Ayiti Analytics, a Data Science Lab!

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Exploring is a BSA affiliate program focused on career exploration and development.

Ayiti Analytics is a Data Science Lab formed by a former NCAC Scout based in Haiti that is advancing analytical capacity through education, consulting and research.

Ayiti Analytics is forming virtual NCAC Explorer Posts and you are invited!

In their first cohort, Ayiti will will offer a series about Introductions to Computer Programming in Python. This is a series of six 90-minute sessions in which Ayiti will teach:

  • Python knowledge: introduction to computing
  • Shadowing at a Data Science Company: as a bonus, Ayiti will also provide students who complete the Introduction to Computing Course with an opportunity to shadow their virtual Data Science Lab for an afternoon; the goal is to show you what a real working day at a Data Science Company looks like!
  • Nova Award: for those who are registered Scouts BSA, they will have the opportunity to earn requirements 3-8 of Nova Award – Hello World! Please note however, that you do not need to be a Scout to become an Ayiti Explorer.

The first cohort kicked off in June, and the second cohort will begin this Saturday, July 11th. This session will run on Saturday from 10:00AM – 11:30AM on these days:

  • July 11, 2020
  • July 18, 2020
  • July 25, 2020
  • August 1, 2020
  • August 8, 2020
  • August 15, 2020

Read more about Ayiti Analytics and register here!

This program is brought to you by a former White Oak District Boy Scout, Morgan Mendis!

Pack 7203 Holds Virtual Pinewood Derby!

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On June 28th, 2020, Cub Scout Pack 7203, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, held their annual Pinewood Derby virtually with 17 competitors. Competitors were required to submit their cars in advance of the race and were inspected and remediated where necessary to ensure compliance with published rules. The derby was broadcasted and viewed on Zoom. Derby cars were judged on speed, design, color and best of show.

The results of the Pinewood Derby (Virtual):

Speed (Cub Scout Pack)
1st Place – Howard “Will” Zimmerman (Bear)
2nd Place – Hunter Kirkland (Webelos)
3rd Place – Cristo Morris (Webelos) *Previous two time derby winner)

Speed (Cub Scout Dens)
Fastest Tiger – Alexus Gumbs
Fastest Bear – Howard “Will” Zimmerman
Fastest Webelo I – Hunter Kirkland
Fastest Webelos II – Nick DeGraff

Innovative Design
Alex Gumbs (Tiger)

Color Scheme
Kriston Ward (Bear)

Best of Show
Veer Chatlani (Webelos)

USVI Pack 7227 is Off to the Races!

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After weeks of sanding, painting and assembling, the day finally came when Pack 7227 of St. Croix USVI was ready to race in March 2020. Scouts, parents and siblings lined the track as Scout Master Chris Mercer got every excited for the first race. With the help of several youth volunteers from Troop 7227 and Scout parents, the Cub Scouts were able to race their cars through the final elimination.

The derby was filled with laughter, excitement, great sportsmanship and smiling faces the whole time. This event is a great reminder of why we put these events together and work hard to keep the spirit of Scouting alive.

 

Cub-A-Day Program Week 5 (July 6th – July 11th)

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Hey, Cub Scouts, it’s Make Something Monday

You’ve learned some handy skills with Make Something Monday; time to put some of them to good use.  Make a pine cone or toilet paper roll bird feeder.

When you are done making it, find a place to hang it that you can watch the birds that visit.

You can find instructions and some ideas for Adventure requirements you can complete using your feeder here: https://cubscoutideas.com/209/cub-scout-den-meeting-bird-feeders

Are you hungry? It’s Taste Something Tuesday…

It’s summertime and the weather is hot – Cool off by making custom ice pops at home!

https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Ice-Cube-Tray-Popsicles/ is a good place to start, but you can use your favorite juices or add fruit chunks to make them your own.

All who wander are not lost… especially on Wander Around Wednesday

Use a map (paper or digital) and locate where you live.  Draw a route that would get you to a local grocery store, park, your school, or somewhere else you visit often.

Use the map to plan a walk around your neighborhood and then head out and see how well you can follow your route.

Wolf Scouts can use this activity to Finding your Way #1 or #4.  Orienting a map and working with a compass is also a NOVA Science Everywhere activity.

It’s time to Do Something Thoughtful Thursday
Reflect on what one point of the Scout Law means to you.  Talk with your family about what that point means to them.  See if you all think about the Scout Law the same way and what you can learn from your family and their point of view.
It’s Family Fun Friday… family time is fun time!

The family that goes to places together has FUN!  Take a hike or bike ride with your family today.  Try to find a new and exciting place to explore – a nearby park, a new area of town, or nature preserve.

This activity fulfills a Cub Family Summertime Passport Activity (A completed Passport counts as Cub Summer Camp! for the Outdoor Activity Award)  Get your passport here: https://www.ncacbsa.org/cubspa/

It’s Safety Saturday…but it’s also International Scouts Trash the Trash Day!

Scouts Trash the Trash Day is a cooperative community clean up – If everyone picks up just 1 pound of trash – The world would be so much cleaner.

Practice safe habits while you pick up trash in your neighborhood, on a trail, or around shared community spaces:

1) Know the weather
2) Dress for the place you are cleaning.
3) Wear sturdy gloves and consider rubber gloves over those.
4) Have a traffic lookout if you are near a road
5) Don’t try to pick up anything sharp or that you can’t identify.

Register your unit for Scouts Trash the Trash day here: https://www.scoutstrashthetrashday.org/ and you can access their Garbage Scavenger Hunt!!

Cub-A-Day Program Week 4 (June 29 – July 4)

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MONDAY

Hey, Cub Scouts, it’s Make Something Monday

Make something Monday is HUGE – Huge like bubbles.  Do your best at making bubble solution and blowing the biggest bubbles you can.  Share a video of your best ones!

Need some ideas?  Check here: https://www.123homeschool4me.com/bubble-solution-for-giant-bubble_82/

Wolves, Bears, Webelos, and Arrow of Light Cubs can use this as a NOVA Award project if they talk with a NOVA counselor!

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TUESDAY

Are you hungry? It’s Taste Something Tuesday…

Cub Scouts – We’ve been tasting things for weeks now – but do you know how the foods you make or buy turn into the yummy tastes you love?

Your Taste Buds do the work – Learn some more about the science behind flavors with the taste bud experiment:  https://www.thoughtco.com/science-experiments-for-kids-4145480

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WEDNESDAY

All who wander are not lost… especially on Wander Around Wednesday
The Sun is so important to our lives and you don’t have to wander far to see it!!
Watching our closest star rise or set can be a very peaceful experience.  For this Wander Around Wednesday – Get your family together and spend a few quiet moments at Sun-up or Sun-down taking in the beauty of nature.This activity fulfills a Cub Family Summertime Passport Activity (and completed Passport counts as Cub Summer Camp!)  Get your passport here: https://www.ncacbsa.org/cubspa/

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THURSDAY

It’s time to Do Something Thoughtful Thursday

Moving every day is an important part of staying healthy.  Some movements can help to relax – Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese traditional exercise that focuses on control and breathing.  It can improve balance, reduce stress, and build strength.

You can take a watch a short video class here and try it for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEOS2zoyQw4

Did you know Tai Chi counts towards the ScoutStrong Presidential Active Lifestyle Award?  Make sure you keep your activity record current!

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FRIDAY

It’s Friday… family time is fun time!

Everyone loves to splash around – so set up a family water park today to beat the heat!!  Sprinklers, hoses, a pool, buckets, or slip-and-slide – It’s all cool!!

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SATURDAY

Happy Independence Day!

Today – Have a “Family – Fun -Flag – Fourth” and spend some time celebrating the birth of our Nation, and join with other Scouts across NCAC for events with Flags, Food, Fitness, more Food, more Flags, and Fireworks!
And since it’s Safety Saturday, make sure that you stay safe whether you are cooking, playing outdoors, or watching fireworks.
Get the details on the National Capital Area Council festivities here: https://weownadventure.com/family-fun-flag-fourth/

WOOD BADGE 2020

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Wood Badge is the Boy Scouts of America’s ultimate leadership training designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of Scouters in all aspects of the BSA, whether unit, district, or council level – from assistant den leaders to Scoutmasters, from Cubmasters to Venturing Advisors, from committee members to commissioners. It is a fun, energetic and inspiring course guaranteed to infuse your unit with fun and meaning – all designed to fulfill the mission of the BSA, and ensure our youth is getting everything they are promised from the program.

Reflecting the best of nearly a century of Scouting experience, Wood Badge draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles and successful organizations throughout the country. Participants can expect to develop skills in many areas, including leadership theory, team building, problem-solving, communication, project planning and more.  These skills can be taken back to packs, troops, crews and ships to help leaders guide youth in dynamic Scouting programs.  Scouters will find these skills invaluable in their business and personal lives as well.
Wood Badge consists of two parts:
·         The first five full days is the initial group training, usually held over two weekends – the first weekend Friday through Sunday, and the second Saturday and Sunday.
·         The second part requires participants to apply the skills they learned by completing a 5-part plan (called a “ticket”) over the following 18 months, leading towards the individual participant’s vision of a better Scouting future.
As stated above, the course is held over two weekends. Both weekends are camping activities where the participants provide tents and other personal camping equipment. During the first weekend, all meals are provided.  During the second weekend, participants cook their own meals in smaller groups called patrols.
Requirements for attending Wood Badge:
1.    Be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America and age 18 or older.
2.    Have completed the basic position-specific training courses for their Scouting role.
3.    Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. All participants are required to complete the Annual Health and Medical Record. Parts A, B, and C are required which includes a physical. Part C is required for everyone, including people who are not present for more than 72 hours.
 
General Information  
1.    Participant pre-course assignment
A minimum (non-refundable) deposit is due with registration, and then full payment is due 45 days before the start of the course.  Each Wood Badge course is limited to 48 participants. Per national guidelines, any course not having 30 fully paid participants 30 days prior to the start of the course is subject to cancellation.
QUESTIONS?

For information about specific courses, contact the Course Director listed on the registration page.


What are the central themes of Wood Badge?
Course participants begin their Wood Badge experience by modeling the Cub Scout program, then bridge to Scouts BSA and form patrols for the remainder of the course.  Selected staff members interact with participants in the role of a Venturing crew.  Representing a month in the life of a Scout unit, Wood Badge participants assume leadership roles to plan and carry out an extended outdoor experience.
Within this framework, participants take part in numerous presentations, discussions, and activities that explore and advance a wide range of leadership philosophies and tools.  A key area is the process of team development, where participants learn to apply appropriate leadership strategies at varying stages of team development.  There are five central themes of the Wood Badge course:
1. Growing
2. Connecting
3. Guiding
4. Empowering
5. Living the Values

The first weekend of the course parallels three weeks of a Scout units meetings and activities with the second weekend paralleling the experiences of a Scout unit setting out on the fourth week of a month for an exciting and challenging outdoor experience.


What are the some of the Wood Badge activities?

During the Wood Badge course the participants will learn through presentations, campfire, games, song, camping and working together as a patrol on presentations of their own.  Each of these activities are tied to the themes of Wood Badge (see above) and model activities that you can take back to your units.

What trainings are required before Wood Badge?
 
One of the requirements for taking Wood Badge is to complete the basic training requirements for your primary position prior to attending. These are the required courses:
• Den Leader – Den Leader Specific Training
• Pack Committee Chair or Member – Pack Committee Leader Specific Training
• Cubmaster – Cubmaster Leader Specific Training
• Scoutmaster – Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
• Troop Committee Chair or Member – Troop Committee Challenge
• Venturing Advisor – Venturing Leader Specific Training
• District or Council Committee – District Committee Training Workshop Unit
• Commissioners – Commissioner Basic Training
Outdoor Skills Training:  All participants are encouraged to complete the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) training before attending Wood Badge, but it is not required.
Venturing and Sea Scouts Youth (18-20 years of age): For the purpose of writing a ticket, the applicant should be an officer at the crew, ship, council, regional, or national level. Youth prerequisites: Youth Protection Training and Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC) for Venturers or Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships (ILSS) for Sea Scouts.

What is the ticket?

One of the great traditions of Wood Badge is the ticket.  During the course each participant will be asked to develop a contract or ticket – a list of goals that will allow them to use their newly-learned leadership skills in ways to strengthen Scouting in their home units, districts and councils.  The ticket will include the participant’s personal values, roles in Scouting, vision of success, and a mission of five significant goals that can be attained within 18 months.  Overall the ticket will be meaningful and enable the participant to practice the skills learned in the course. Troop guides (ticket counselors) will assist participants in writing their tickets and approve them when complete.  The troop guide and the participant will mutually agree when all the items of the ticket have been fulfilled.

 
What is the Wood Badge recognition?
 
Recognition for the successful completion of Wood Badge (including the ticket) consists of the distinctive Wood Badge neckerchief, woggle, the Wood Badge – two wooden beads worn on a leather thong around the neck, and the certificate.  This regalia is recognized around the world as a symbol of training and leadership experience.
What is the history of Wood Badge?
 
Wood Badge training was begun by Baden Powell in 1919 as a way to ensure that the leaders of Scout troops were properly trained.  Since then Wood Badge has been held worldwide, providing advanced leadership training to thousands of Scout leaders.
Wood badge builds upon the best traditions and experiences of the Boy Scouts of America and also draws from a wide range of courses within and beyond the bounds of Scouting to present the latest in leadership theory and team development.
Is financial assistance available?
 
A limited number of partial-fee financial assistance requests are available to apply toward the course fee.  This financial assistance is granted based on need.  Financial assistance can be requested from the NCAC Wood Badge Scholarship Fund. Financial assistance may be requested as soon as a person has registered for the course.  A copy of the email confirming the awarding of financial assistance must be attached to the application, along with the balance of the fee. Financial assistance is awarded in amounts up to 50% of the fee. The balance of the course fee is expected with the financial assistance request application.
Because Wood Badge is a premier leadership course, units, chartered organizations and a number of employers may also partially underwrite necessary fees for a Scouter to attend.  Please inquire prior to applying for council financial assistance.
 Qualified Scouters may also apply for these national Wood Badge scholarships:
•AFL-CIO Wood Badge Scholarship Program – The AFL-CIO offers a Wood Badge scholarship to assist selected union members in acquiring skills that will better equip them to serve the youth of their communities.
•VFW Wood Badge Scholarship Program – The VFW National headquarters offers Wood Badge scholarships to assist selected chapter members in acquiring skills that will better equip them to serve the youth of their communities.
•Council Wood Badge Financial Assistance Request