We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouting Programs

Four Pack 1500 Cub Scouts Earn the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Electronically!

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Four Wolf Cub Scouts in Pack 1500 spent the year working not only on regular advancements and standard NOVA awards, but also striving towards the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award. Already a tough award to achieve due to the level of effort required, these Wolf Scouts were on the verge of completing their supernova requirements when suddenly COVID-19 happened and everything was locked down.

Undeterred, the Scouts (and their fearless mentor) started doing meetings over google hangouts in order to discuss and complete the requirements. Eventually, each scout finished up the grind of the supernova requirements.

Each parent of these Scouts had originally been working hard with their Scouts and collecting everything the Scouts had worked on in a binder to mail to NCAC. After NCAC closed, however, physical submissions were impossible and instead they were starting to be accepted via email. The brave supernova mentor went and picked up each of the binders on the door steps of the scouts houses and brought them back to his house.

After getting the binders, the supernova mentor (it’s too late to go into first person at this point) solicited help from his wife, a teacher and a den leader, to help convert the binders of information into an electronic package for the NCAC STEM committee.

After a lot of scanning, collation, and formatting, each Scout’s binder was converted into a google document that included links to all of the required material, photos/videos of all the activities, and all scanned hand written artifacts that the Scouts had produced. Once it was all collected, the supernova mentor emailed it to the NCAC supernova address and waited.

After a period of time it was announced that the four Scouts had been awarded the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award and that the STEM committee had considered the digital applications exceptional! Truely, the Scouts hard work and determination exemplified the Scout motto, “Do your best.”

I would like to thank the parents for their support in helping their Scouts and my wife for supporting us all when we were all trapped inside.

As a bonus, I have created an example of our supernova submission with the PII removed (although a few photos of my son remain). You can find it here.

Congratulations to David Cohen, Olivia Cohen, Zander Collins, and Whit Stallings on their achievement!

Troop 492, An Amazing Blessing During a Difficult Year

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A year ago today, Michael and I went to visit a Troop 492 Scout meeting. He wanted to join the Cub Scouts for years, but scheduling never worked out. But we decided that because he was going to be going to a magnet middle school, we’d let him join the BSA in the fall. His best friend’s dad was the Scoutmaster, so it was a way to keep him in touch with some of his friends.

Well, the terrific and very persuasive Scoutmaster convinced us that it made more sense to join right away. The Troop was brand new, so he’d be able to be involved in planning for the upcoming year, and could even go to Scout camp in July. We signed up that night. Little did we know what an incredible blessing that decision would turn out to be.

There was no way we could afford a week at Goshen at the time; we hadn’t budgeted for it, so the Troop worked with our sponsoring Rotary Club to pay Michael’s way. Michael’s best friend assured him that it was the BEST place in the world, and he’d love it.

A week and a half before camp, my dad passed away totally unexpectedly, shattering our world. Michael was with us that morning as my sister (recovering from surgery at our house) and I raced to our parents’ house after getting my mom’s call. Losing his beloved grandfather was devastating. We contemplated cancelling camp for him, but in the end decided to let him go, after getting assurances from his Scoutmaster that he’d be allowed to call us if needed. It was the best thing possible for him at the time. He had a phenomenal week and a break from the chaos at home.

And as our whole lives turned upside down this year – first with our move to live with and take care of my mom, through starting at a brand new middle school not knowing anyone, and then through this pandemic, his Scout Troop has been his lifeline.

Michael has thrived in Scouting, becoming the first in his Troop to promote to Tenderfoot, and then among the first three to promote to Second Class and then First Class. He sold a crazy amount of popcorn, and earned a free week at Goshen for this year. (Still hoping that will happen…) He’s earned a ton of merit badges – including several over Zoom from Councils all over the country! – and was just elected to be the new Patrol Leader. He was pretty nervous about taking on a leadership role, but his first (Zoom) meeting with the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader this week convinced him that it’s pretty cool to be in ‘the room where it happens’!

I had no idea what we were signing up for a year ago. Now I’m the Assistant Scoutmaster, and a Merit Badge Counselor for several merit badges. I adore all the phenomenal kids in our Troop, and am excited to watch them progress, and to welcome in our new Scouts who will be bridging over from the Cub Pack in the next few weeks. The thing I’m actually missing most during this pandemic lockdown is getting to go camping with all those goofballs! But I’m so proud of all that we’re managing to accomplish despite the lockdown; we haven’t missed a beat.

We’ve had Troop meetings on Zoom every week, videoconferences for merit badge counseling, and even a virtual campout!

It’s been an amazing first year of scouting. I can’t wait to see what future years hold!

Young Adult Leaders Needed for Jamboree

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Scouting’s flagship event is a gathering of thousands of Scouts and Scouters that showcases everything that is great about the Boy Scouts of America. Over the course of 10 days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America gathers together. Scouts and Scouters who attend will participate in many adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, hikes, sports and more! With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.

National Capitol Area Council is looking for ASM3. This contingent Troop position is filled by men and women age 18-21. This unique position is for young adults who are able to serve as a liaison between the older adult leaders and the youth participants.

THE MOST EXCITING JAMBOREE EVER!

Scouting’s PREMIER High Adventure experience! The experience of a lifetime including: whitewater rafting, rock climbing, bouldering, rappelling, zip lines, mountain biking, canopy tours, shooting sports, dragon boats, paddle boats, COPE courses, BMX racing, Pioneering, canoe slalom, kayaking and more. In addition to all of the things you’ve grown to love about the Jamboree, there is patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, Technology Quest, and over 30,000 of your closest friends.

• When: The 2021 National Jamboree is July 21 – 30, 2021
• Where: Summit Bechtel Reserve, New Hope, West Virginia
• We want you! SEEKING:
o Young Adults (age 18-21): who are willing to apply to serve as unit leadership
• Sign Up Now!!  http://jamboree.scouting.org

  • You must have a my.scouting.org account in order to register. If you do not have a profile, please visit http://my.scouting.org and set up an account; you will need to attach your BSA ID to the account so be sure to have the number available.
  • How Much: $1,500* per Young Adult Unit Leader
  • Fees include all food, insurance and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel and cooking utensils during your adventure at the Jamboree. Fees also include transportation to and from the Summit on motorcoach buses. There will be a shakedown campout prior to the Jamboree. No major additional costs. Just show up with your personal camping gear and Jamboree Uniform.
  • NCAC Contingent cost is estimated at $1,500pp. The national fee of $1,175 set by Jamboree Administration covers the expense of program materials, food, insurance, and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel, and cooking utensils. Additional Council fees cover transportation, bags, patches, and other fees.

YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP (ASM3 position):
Young adults wanting to be part of the NCAC Contingent need to submit their applications to Eric Smith (eric.smith@scouting.org) no later than June 1, 2020. Download adult application/survey packet here. All adult applications must be approved by the Council and applicants will be required to participant in an interview prior to being selected as part of the Council Contingent. One young adult will be selected for each of the 10 units sent by the Council.

Download the flier today and get ready to Face The Challenge, Jamboree 2021!

 

2021 Jamboree, THE MOST EXCITING JAMBOREE EVER!

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Scouting’s flagship event is a gathering of thousands of Scouts and Scouters that showcases everything that is great about the Boy Scouts of America. Over the course of 10 days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America gathers together. Scouts and Scouters who attend will participate in many adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, hikes, sports and more! With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.

National Jamboree is the best of Scouting rolled into 10 days of friends, fun and adventure! Get ready to Face the Challenge and sign up to attend the Jamboree!

Scouting’s PREMIER High Adventure experience! The experience of a lifetime including: whitewater rafting, rock climbing, bouldering, rappelling, zip lines, mountain biking, canopy tours, shooting sports, dragon boats, paddle boats, COPE courses, BMX racing, Pioneering, canoe slalom, kayaking and more. In addition to all of the things you’ve grown to love about the Jamboree, there is patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, Technology Quest, and over 30,000 of your closest friends.

  • When: The 2021 National Jamboree is July 21 – 30, 2021
  • Where: Summit Bechtel Reserve, New Hope, West Virginia

SEEKING:

  • Scouts BSA: At least 12 years of age (or age 11 and have graduated 6th grade) by the first day of the Jamboree, and may not reach their 18th birthday by the last day of the Jamboree
  • Crew Member: Graduated the 8th grade or be at least 14 years of age by the first day of the Jamboree, but not have reached their 21st birthday by the last day of the Jamboree.
  • Adults: who are willing to apply to serve as unit leadership

Sign Up Now!!

You must have a my.scouting.org account in order to register. If you do not have a profile, please visit http://my.scouting.org and set up an account; you will need to attach your BSA ID to the account so be sure to have the number available.

HOW MUCH:

  • $1,500* per Scout or Crew Member ($200 due to complete registration)
  • $1,500* per Adult Unit Leaders
  • Camperships available to qualifying youth from households under 50% of the Area Median Income in the Washington D.C. area.
  • Fees include all food, insurance and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel and cooking utensils during your adventure at the Jamboree. Fees also include transportation to and from the Summit on motorcoach buses. There will be a shakedown campout prior to the Jamboree. No major additional costs. Just show up with your personal camping gear and Jamboree Uniform.

NCAC Contingent cost is $1,500pp. The national fee of $1,175 set by Jamboree Administration covers the expense of program materials, food, insurance, and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel, and cooking utensils. Additional Council fees cover transportation, bags, patches, and other fees.

Note on Unit Assignments: Youth will be assigned to NCAC contingent units in the summer of 2020. A maximum of eight (8) youth from one local unit will be assigned to a NCAC contingent Jamboree unit.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

  • $200 due upon registration
  • $500 due June 30, 2020
  • $500 due December 31, 2020
  • $300 due April 1, 2021

Download the flier today and get ready to Face The Challenge, Jamboree 2021!

If you have any questions please contact Program Director, Eric Smith at eric.smith@scouting.org. For more information visit https://www.ncacbsa.org/jamboree/.

 

Aquia District Pack 242 Cheetah Den Visits Stafford County Board of Supervisors

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In January, as part of our Building a Better World Adventure, Scouts from Aquia District’s Pack 242, led by the multi-age girl’s Cheetah Den, visited the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. While there, they met with one of their local Supervisors, Ms. Cindy Shelton, and the Board’s Chairwoman, Ms. Meg Bohmke, to discuss the roles of the Board of Supervisors and how they came to represent our area. The Den led the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of the meeting, and then stayed to observe the Board’s business.