We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouting Programs

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.

Troop 496 Holds Virtual New Scout Campout

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Traditionally, Troop 496’s campout for April is the New Scout campout. At this campout, we welcome the Webelos scouts that have crossed over to the troop. We also introduce the new scouts to several Scout and Tenderfoot rank requirements. Requirements include:

  • What the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan are and what they mean
  • What is the Scout leadership hierarchy
  • A explanation of the Patrol method
  • Demonstration of how to tie the square knot, two half-hitches, and the taut-line hitch
  • What should be in a personal first aid kit
  • A list of equipment and clothes needed for a campout
  •  How to pitch a tent

Because of the COVID pandemic and state and BSA rules that do not allow large gatherings, a campout was not an option this year. In order to support the new Scouts as they begin their BSA Scouting careers, Troop 496 held a virtual campout using Zoom. Ten new boys, representing the Trolls patrol, participated in this campout. Troop 496 was honored to have four girls, representing the Artemis patrol, join the campout this year. These girls will be the core of the new BSA Girls Troop forming here in Poolesville.

The campout was led by the Troop SPL, Zach Ransom. The SPL was assisted by several older Scouts covering 10 different requirements. After the on-line portion of the campout, several of the Scouts took on the challenge to pitch a tent in their back yard and then spend the night in the tent that they pitched. The next day, the participants again met on Zoom to participate in a “Roses, Buds, and Thorns” exercise.

NYLT Preparing for Summer Courses!!

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National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting 6-day program designed for youth to learn leadership skills that will help them succeed in Scouting and in life!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Scouts who have completed their unit’s introduction to leadership course, have been practicing these skills, and are ready for the next level of training should attend NYLT once they meet all Eligibility Requirements.

NYLT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Scouts must:

  • Complete their home Unit’s Introduction to Leadership Skills course*
  • Receive approval from your Scoutmaster or Unit leader
  • Be at least 14 years of age by course start date. We reserve limited space for 13-year-old participants on each course. All 13-year-old participants must contact the Course Director listed on the registration page before registering to see if slots still exist.
  • Earn First Class rank, if registered in a Troop
  • Have current BSA Health Form (Parts A, B, and C)
  • Be comfortable camping and cooking outdoors
  • Commit to attending the entire six-day course

* Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), Crews (ILSC), and Ships (ILSS) should be offered through a Scout’s home unit. Ask your Unit Leader how you can participate in this course.

WHAT NYLT IS (AND IS NOT)

NYLT is not like summer camp and is not designed for rank advancement or earning merit badges.  NYLT is an intense and challenging hands-on leadership training program.  It is essential that NYLT participants be physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared to handle the demands of this advanced training. In order to get the most benefit from this unique experience, participants must exhibit emotional maturity, a positive attitude, proficiency in basic camping and outdoor cooking, and have an ambition to serve in leadership roles.

SIGN UP TODAY

Behavior at NYLT: Participants agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the Scout Oath and Law.

QUESTIONS?

For information about specific courses, contact the Course Director listed on the registration page. General inquiries about the NYLT program may be directed to contact@myNYLT.org.

You can follow NCAC NYLT Youth Training online on Facebook facebook.com/myNYLT

Eagle BOR Extension for Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts

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Eagle Scout Rank Badge
These are historic times for our Movement. The coronavirus pandemic is having a direct impact in many Scouts’ ability to continue on their trail to Eagle – especially having completed all their requirements prior to the boards of review that are to be held from 10/1-31/2020.

Because we want all girls who joined in 2019 and wish to be a part of the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts to have the benefit of such an experience, and after carefully considering recommendations from stakeholders, including feedback from volunteers and professionals, we will be extending the period for boards of review from 10/1/2020-1/31/2021. To further support the Inaugural Class, all boards of review will be dated with the same date by the National Service Center.

While this notice discusses the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts, the lengthening of the Eagle board of review window is applicable to all Scouts who were granted the Inaugural extension, regardless of gender.

As a reminder, all requirements must be completed while the individual is a registered member of Scouts BSA, or as a member of a Venturing crew or a Sea Scouts ship after achieving First Class in Scouts BSA, per the Guide to Advancement.

Pack 1055’s Virtual Bear Den Meeting

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Social distancing has canceled many activities but with today’s technology and the flexibility that scouting provides there is the capability to maintain Pack and Den operations. With this in mind, Pack 1055 is using those tools to keep their Cub Scouts working towards rank advancement.

It started with a simple survey using Google Forms that went out to the parents in the den. The hope was to discover the best platform to run a virtual meeting and when the best times would be to conduct the meeting. As it turns out, Zoom has been used frequently these days and most families were able to meet at the same time as the den would usually meet.

The virtual meeting invitation and information was sent out, and on April 7, 2020, the Cubmaster and Bear Den Leader of Pack 1055 led the meeting. The agenda was brief. Our main purpose was to see how a meeting would run. We started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Oath and the Scout Law, had a few announcements, then had our den discussion.

Each Scout was asked three questions about staying at home during the crisis and had a chance to talk about their current experiences. After each Scout finished, the den meeting was opened up for some free-time chatting between Scouts, then we closed the same way we close all our den meetings: by signing “Do Your Best,” which is perfect for a virtual meeting.

The meeting was a success and it provided a good experience for how meetings like this can continue. As a result, the Bear Den is planning on having more virtual den meetings to complete the Critter Care elective adventure. While the den can’t visit any animal shelters or veterinary practices, they can still meet the requirements of the elective using an online format and sharing PowerPoint or Google Slides. They will also have an opportunity to show off their pets, something that could have been difficult during an in-person den meeting.

Pack 1055 is currently planning a virtual Pack Meeting as well to take place later this month to help ensure that, even in times of crisis, We Own Adventure!

Pack 1859’s Journey to Earn the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award

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Cubs in Pack 1859 from Sully District are earning the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Awareness award for Cubs. Before the recommendations to suspend all in-person Scouting events, they dedicated their last pack meeting to Outdoor Ethics and Leave No Trace!

Pack 1859 holding Leave No Trace reference cards.

The NCAC Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award has 4 requirements.
1. Cubs and Scouters recited the Outdoor Code together as a pack. The Outdoor Code captures the essence of the Scouting Outdoor Ethic and establishes our aspirations and commitment.

2. They viewed the Leave No Trace video, produced by the National Park Service and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. This video introduces the 7 principles of Leave No Trace.

3. Cubs and Scouters learned some of the principles by playing interactive games with a person who has taken the Outdoor Ethics Orientation, the Leave No Trace Trainer course, or the Leave No Trace Master Educator course. They played the trash timeline, the durable surface game, a wildlife habitat matching game, the animal vault game, and the thumb trick.

Cub Scouts determining whether surfaces are durable for hiking.
Learning the Thumb Trick to respect wildlife by keeping a safe distance.

4. At home with an adult they will take the Leave No Trace online awareness course. This online course can be tricky, even for adults, so do your best.

The NCAC Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award for Cub Scouts .

To learn more about LNT check out their online awareness course!