We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouting Programs

Aspiring Scientists Excel as STEM Scouts

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STEM Scouts Lab 239 in Fredericksburg, VA, is a beacon of innovation and scientific exploration for young minds. With a mission to inspire and nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators, this lab actively cultivates a passion for STEM among elementary and middle school students.

Last year, the elementary school lab at Rocky Run Elementary mentored 18 aspiring scientists. The curriculum included Chemistry, Archaeology, Robotics/Coding, and Inventing modules that aligned with students’ interests, challenged their understanding of the world around them, and fostered critical thinking skills. Students engaged in a hands-on learning environment, conducting experiments and projects that brought abstract concepts to life. Dedicated adult mentors enriched the experience by providing personalized support and encouragement to each student.

A truly standout achievement was the completion of “Supernova Awards” by six Cub Scouts – the most awards earned in Aquia District since the inception of the NOVA program! The Supernova is a prestigious award requiring Cub Scouts to demonstrate exceptional proficiency in STEM subjects. It is a testament to the quality of education and mentorship that these young students successfully met the rigorous standards to earn this award.

Last year, Lab 239 also launched a middle school program, successfully mentoring eight students in the fields of Microbiology and Astronomy. These subjects ignited Scouts’ curiosity and provided a deeper understanding of the biological sciences and the universe. Activities ranged from studying microorganisms under a microscope to exploring the stars and planets. The focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications is helping prepare students for future academic and career pursuits in STEM fields.

STEM Scouts Lab 239 continues its mission of inspiring young minds by introducing all new modules at Rocky Run Elementary in September. The elementary school lab meets two Tuesdays a month; the middle school lab meets two Thursdays a month. Regular meetings offer students opportunities to explore new concepts, engage in collaborative projects, and build skills.

STEM Scouts Lab 239 remains dedicated to empowering the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators, ensuring they will Be Prepared to tackle future 21st-century challenges and opportunities.

You can follow the lab on Facebook: STEM Scouts Lab 239, Fredericksburg, VA

 

Distinguished Conservation Service Award Projects – Jason W.

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My name is Jason W, and I am an Eagle Scout in Troop 1094 in Darnestown, Maryland. I really enjoy being outside and I really enjoy watching and learning about wildlife. I look forward to becoming a wildlife biologist one day. Back in 2022, I learned about the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award (DCSA). The DCSA award is the former Hornaday Award and it encourages Scouts to design, lead, and carry out a conservation project. The project must be designed to address a conservation issue or need in the local area, and it must benefit the environment and the creatures that live there. There are nine conservation project categories to choose from, and you must complete two projects in two different categories. One project may count as your Eagle project. I decided I wanted to earn this award, and my first project, which was also my Eagle project, would be in the category of pollinator habitat conservation. I created a ½ acre pollinator habitat in Poolesville, Maryland, and wrote an article about it last April. After I wrote that article, I was honored to earn the Daughters of the American Revolution National Conservation Service Award and the 2023 Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award for the National Capital Area Council. If you are interested in seeing photos, here is my video link.

For my 2nd Distinguished Conservation Service Award Project, I began a three-stage project to improve the fish and wildlife in my hometown of Poolesville, Maryland. The first stage was to hopefully attract a new breed of ducks to Poolesville. More specifically, wood ducks. I installed four nesting boxes at a quiet pond in Poolesville last fall. While I haven’t seen any wood ducks yet, this spring, I was able to witness hooded mergansers (cavity nesters) at this pond and watch tree swallows build nests in the boxes.

My second stage was to build 10 monofilament fishing line recycle bins. I built these bins with three members of my Troop back in December 2023. My purpose was to place nine of them around the ponds of Poolesville. The last one we built was for me to share with the Poolesville Sustainability Committee so they could have one on display at community festivals to promote the recycling of fishing lines. Fishing line takes 600 years to decompose and it is very dangerous to wildlife who get caught up in the discarded fishing line in the water. Just last year, we had a Canadian goose have a bunch of fishing lines tied around its foot that required four people to help him get loose. This fishing line will be collected and sent to a recycling facility in Iowa. Then, it will be melted down into little pellets, which will, in turn, be made into fishing tackle boxes. In February, I installed the nine recycle bins. I waited until May to go around and collect the fishing line. I am happy to report that eight recycling bins were filled with fishing lines. It was a huge collection that is currently on its way to Iowa to be recycled.

My third stage of the project was a lot of fun. I asked my community to promise to let me collect their Christmas trees after the holiday season. A fellow troop Scout and I drove around town and picked up 30 Christmas trees in January. We learned as we drove around that local farmers also collect Christmas trees to feed their goats. After we collected the trees, I recruited three of my ice hockey teammates to help me wire cinderblocks to these trees. We had to drill holes through the trees, insert the wire through the tree, and then to the cinderblock. Otherwise, the tree will float and not sink. At the end of January, a few scouts, along with my distinguished service conservation advisor, Ms. Sara Holtz, my project conservation advisor, Mr. King, and a few members of his work crew, helped me drop 30 Christmas trees into the deepest pond in Poolesville (Here is my video link of that day if you are interested). This pond is mainly silt at the bottom and lacks a structure for the fish to hide in after spawning. The trees will give cover to the small fish and help them grow larger and survive, hence improving the ecosystem. It has been a lot of fun observing the wildlife at this pond. One day, while holding catch-and-release fishing day with my Troop at the pond, we observed a female bufflehead swimming up and down the line where I dropped the Christmas trees in the water. She was diving under and would then pop up several yards later. This type of duck likes to feed on small minnows. She was finding those minnows in the trees. On another day, I saw this beautiful blue heron that had just caught a small minnow in its beak.

I can proudly say that I’ve fully completed the DCSA! Working on it has been a very hard but very rewarding process. It takes a lot of time and a lot of volunteers to help you succeed. My first project took me about 187 hours to complete, with 69 volunteers for a total of 349 project hours. My second project has taken me about 188 hours to complete with 22 volunteers for a total of 341 project hours. Combined that is a total of 690 volunteer hours of making my local ecosystem a better place for everyone to enjoy. I’m very proud of what my volunteers and I have accomplished. I’m only 16 years old and finishing up my sophomore year of high school. What I have learned the most so far in Scouting is how incredible it is to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

 

 

Sea Scout Ship 1176 participates in International Jamboree-on-the-Water 2024!

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NCAC Sea Scout Ship 1176 took to the water for the first International Scouting Jamboree-on-the-Water with a day cruise on the historic tall ship Providence in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 14, 2024. They were joined by sister land Troop 1176, along with friends and Scouts from various other Units. Scouts worked with the Providence crew to hoist the sails and practice other sailing skills, such as coiling lines. Ship 1176 also took the opportunity to swear in two new Sea Scouts as ship members while on the water.

The Providence is the designated official flagship of the first international Jamboree-on-the-Water for 2024. It is a 12-gun, 110-foot-long sloop-of-war, which is a full-scale replica of the first ship authorized to serve in the Continental Navy and the first American command for John Paul Jones, father of the American Navy. The current Providence was built for the 1976 American Bicentennial and has been in various tall ship festivals, as well as movies, including two “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.

The original Providence was a merchant ship called Katy and owned by John Brown of Rhode Island, one of the brothers for whom Brown University was named. Katy and another vessel were the first two ships authorized by the Continental Congress to start the American Continental Fleet during the Revolutionary War. Katy was on a secret mission for General George Washington at the time, searching for gunpowder in Bermuda. After returning from its mission, Katy was renamed Providence and officially commissioned to become one of the first and most renowned ships of the Revolutionary War. The Providence is harbored in Alexandria as part of the John Warner Maritime Museum. Plans are underway for expanding Scout programs with the Providence.

Jamboree-on-the-Water (JOTW) is a “join-in” Jamboree where Scouts all over the world can join in and organize an activity on the water, at the same time, wherever they are in the world and share their experience online. Scouts can sail the ocean or a lake, go on a motorboat, canoe, or kayak outing, or visit a local pond, lake, pool, or beach and undertake any water activity involving ships, boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, or swimming (even underwater SCUBA diving). Scouts can also do an educational project or pursue a water-centered Merit Badge.

 

Receive a free Jamboree-on-the-Water PARTICIPATION Certificate

Order JOTW Patches

More information about Jamboree-on-the-Water here

Scouting CARES goes to Day Camp!

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Excitement filled the air as five eager Scouting CARES (Character, Achievement, Respect, Education, and STEM) students from St. Francis Xavier embarked on a thrilling day at Patuxent Day Camp in Bowie, MD. Their excitement grew even further on the car ride there, ready to dive into a day of outdoor fun and learning.

When they arrived, the Scouts were given the honor of leading the flag-raising ceremony and watched as the flag unfurled against the blue sky.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. The Scouts took center stage for the daily weather report, channeling their inner TV presenters as they shared the forecast with fellow campers.

However, the real showstopper of the day was the fishing expedition as five enthusiastic kids learning the art of casting. The looks of concentration on their faces as they attempted to perfect their technique were priceless. While the fish seemed to be on vacation that day, the sheer joy of being lakeside was infectious. The students’ laughter echoed across the water as they celebrated each other’s fish, or no fish, attempts.                                                                                           

As their day of adventure comes to an end, the tired but happy campers start their journey back to school. The ride home was peaceful, with drooping eyelids and content smiles telling the tale of a day well spent in the outdoors.

This amazing day at Patuxent Day Camp wasn’t just about fun and games – it was about building confidence, fostering teamwork, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Scouting C.A.R.E.S Closed Out the Year with a Tent Pitching Event!

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On June 3rd, the field at Suitland Elementary School transformed into a bustling campground as the Scouting C.A.R.E.S students embarked on an exciting outdoor activity. The air was filled with laughter, enthusiasm, and the rustle of nylon as young explorers gathered for their tent-pitching day!

Students learned all about outdoor living, learning the ins and outs of various tent types. From cozy two-person shelters perfect for dynamic duos to spacious four-person ones for family outings, the students got hands-on experience with a wide range of camping accommodations. Instructors guided the children through each step of the tent-pitching process, revealing the secrets of poles, stakes, and rain flies. Eventually, the students transformed the assortment of materials into a temporary home.

Once the tents were up, it was time to explore. Students crawled inside, sprawled out on the tent floors, and let their imaginations run wild.

This hands-on experience provided more than just practical skills – it sparked a sense of adventure and appreciation for the great outdoors. As they worked together to solve problems and create shelter, the students learned valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of accomplishing something with their own two hands.

As the day drew to a close, it was clear that this tent-pitching adventure had been the perfect sendoff for summer vacation. With new skills under their belts and a taste for outdoor exploration, these young campers are ready to embrace a summer full of fun and discovery.

Who knows? The next family camping trip might just have a new expert tent-pitcher in charge!

 

These Two Scouts Expertly Applied First-Aid to Treat a Fellow Scout!

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On June 2, 2024, at the National Capital Area Council Court of Honor, Aditya K. and Sheil S. earned the Certificate of Merit for working together to care for an injured Scout.

At about 8:50 on April 23, 2023, Senior Patrol Leader Aditya K. was called and went to see what happened when he saw his fellow Scout Sreedhar lying face up in the grass, covered in blood. He called for Sheil S, who was sitting near the campfire, to grab his first-aid kit.

Sreedhar appeared to be going into shock, so Aditya told Sreedhar to take deep and big breaths to calm him down while Sheil put on gloves and began methodically cleaning Sreedhar’s head, wiping the blood off Sreedhar’s face, noticing he had a bloody nose.

They learned that Sreedhar had run, face-first, into a tree while trying to catch a football. They checked for additional injuries, including possible dental injuries, and evaluated Sreedhar for a concussion. After treating Shreedhar’s head, Aditya and Sheil had him stand and identified a large bruise on his leg, which was treated with an ice pack.

The National Certificate of Merit may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition. Congratulations to Aditya and Sheil for being recognized for their helpfulness and first-aid skills during this incident!