Scouting Programs

Help NCAC Celebrate 100 Years of Camping!

January 30, 2020 by Craig Weston

The Council celebration of 100 years of NCAC summer camps is well underway, as we continue to celebrate the opening of Camp Roosevelt on the Maryland western shore as our first council summer camp in 1919!

To honor the long history of summer camping in the Council and to highlight the importance of the outdoors to the growth and development of Scouts, throughout 2020 we are encouraging Families, Webelos, Scouts, Venturers, Explorers and Sea Scouts to get involved by attending a camp (or cruise) overnight —- for a weekend or for a week (or two) at one of our summer camps!

Here’s what happening in the coming weeks:

Districts can hand out the free Camping Centennial Logo patch to those who attend the District Klondike Derby or Winter Camporee. Contact your District Executive before the event.
New to Scouting or camping and want to learn what gear you need and where to go? Sign up for Course ELC135 “Camping Opportunities in the NCAC” at the University of Scouting on February 29th.
Also, at the University of Scouting, take a walk-through history! Stop by the midway area to view displays of rare council camping memorabilia dating back over the past century.

Visit gotogoshen.org/summercamp or gotosnyder.com/summercamp and register today!

Stay tuned to WeOwnAdventure to learn about future special events and commemorative merchandise.

Troop 893G Builds an Awesome Klondike Derby Sled

January 27, 2020 by Dave Schneeman

In preparation for their first Klondike Derby competition, Scouts from Troop 893G came out to Michael’s Woodshop to construct their sled. The Scouts received a safety briefing and were provided instruction and guidance from a volunteer Shop Steward as well as from fellow Scouts with prior woodworking experience. The Scouts were able to learn and apply many useful woodworking skills; measuring & marking, drilling, gluing and clamping. They demonstrated that “a Scout is Thrifty” by using reclaimed redwood from an old swing set to build their sled. They also displayed great teamwork and were able to work from their concept drawing and raw materials to a substantially completed sled in just a few hours.

On January 18, the Troop competed in the Sully Distict Klondike Derby held at Camp Snyder. They had an impressive performance, taking second place in their first Klondike Derby competition. What an awesome team! Let their fellow competitors beware – Troop 893G already has their sights set on coming in first at next year’s event.

Looking for a great place to hold your own team building event? Michael’s Woodshop is a well-outfitted shop with the tools, equipment and plenty of work space for Scouts to create and learn. The shop may be reserved for Unit activities (all age groups), District events, Eagle Scout projects and other Scouting activities. Our volunteer Shop Stewards are all experienced woodworkers and are available to assist you in planning and carrying out a successful event.

For information about shop capabilities, upcoming events or reserving the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop page on the Camp Snyder website. You may also email questions and requests to MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

Troop 544 Creates and Distributes Blessing Bags to The Less Fortunate for MLK Day Service Project

January 20, 2020 by Susan Hall, Committee Chair

On January 20, 2020, Troop 544 traveled to downtown Franklin Square Park in Washington D.C. to distribute over 50 blessing bags to the less fortunate. Most of the persons in the park are homeless. The bags were created from donations from the scouts and their families. Items were gathered and assembled at the Troop meeting the Saturday before.

We had a great turn out for both events. The scouts were very eager to provide service to others, which made the leadership very proud. They not only were obeying the scout law and oath, but they also practiced the motto of doing a good turn daily.

Why Attend University of Scouting?

January 17, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

The “University of Scouting”, is a supplemental training opportunity for all adult Scout leaders. It is the one time during the year where you can find the widest variety of training opportunities in all program areas all in one place. The University offers interesting courses in Cub Scouting, ScoutsBSA, what we call “Adventuring” (a combination of Venturing and Sea Scout activities), District Operations, and an Electives College where the classes cover a broad range of areas of interest to scouting but not specific to any one scouting program. A key topic across all programs this year will be STEM Scouting and Scoutbook Training. The University has a degree program where, over time, attendees can earn Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Adventuring. Classes are taught by experienced scouters and scouting professionals, many in subject areas not otherwise covered in the usual adult leader training curriculum.

We will offer over 200 different courses from which to choose. In addition to the academic program, there is more… a midway where up to fifty vendors and council committees will have exhibits describing how their products and services can enhance your scouting program and a scout shop trading post where you can pick up needed items without having to drive to a Scoutshop. And finally, there will be a scouting museum where dedicated collectors will be displaying their extensive collections of scouting memorabilia. At the closing ceremony, we will be presenting the D. Andrew Grafton Exceptional Trainer Award. This annual award, presented by the NCAC Leadership Training Committee, recognizes a single NCAC scouter for sustained, dedicated and highly skilled service to scouting over the years by demonstrating a high commitment to quality adult leader training.

The University of Scouting provides all the above, along with great fellowship with dedicated scouters, making this a day to be remembered. Registration is $40 until February 17 after which it goes to $60. It includes morning refreshments, lunch, an event patch, course materials, a certificate, and a special recognition for PhD recipients. Whether you are new to scouting or a veteran of many years, the University is a place where you can learn from experienced Scouters from all over the council; it truly provides something for everyone.

University returns to Hayfield High School, just south of Alexandria, VA on February 29, 2020. Doors open at 7:15 am and the opening ceremony starts at 8:15am, with the closing ceremony ending by 4:30. Last year over 900 scouters were in attendance! Help us get to 1000 for 2020!

Troop 793 Messengers of Peace

December 23, 2019 by The Scouter Digest Staff

Toys for Tots is a program in St Marys County and all over the United States of America. It is lead and coordinated by the United States Marines. They begin by putting boxes around the county to collect gifts from people willing to donate to needy families. You can find them everywhere. In large stores like Wal*Mart and in small places like Sweet Frog. They put these boxes out in late October and it runs till December. When complete with store collection boxes, they collect the toys, then bring them to a local warehouse, and finally set up the toys. They set up the toy store and get many volunteers to help the needy people pick out toys for their families.

I went on Dec. 14 and volunteered for the day. I first began by helping people get their toys to their cars. We would take their bags full of toys and load up their cars. After a while of doing that I went inside and helped people shop. We went around and helped the family pick out toys for their kids. We would give them ideas and help them make decisions. They would also get a large toy such as a bike or a skateboard. They also got some games and books.

They would finally get stocking stuffers and wrapping paper. Everybody there was so kind and we all had smiles on our faces there wasn’t a single volunteer that looked sad or unhappy. Everybody contributed in all kinds of ways making families happy.

I learned to be grateful for what I have. These people that I interacted with didn’t have what I have. So I learned to be appreciative of what my family does for me. I think many of the other Scouts who helped that day felt the same way. It was great we all got to make a difference for so many less fortunate people during the holidays. This seems to be what being a Messenger of Peace is all about.

Messenger of Peace Link: https://www.scout.org/node/551720

Nathan Davio

12-23-19

Webelos Conservation Project Was a Real Hoot!

November 27, 2019 by Dave Schneeman

On November 10, Webelos from Pack 1344 came out to Michael’s Woodshop to build owl boxes as a service project for Camp Snyder. In the process, they were given the opportunity to learn and practice some basic woodworking skills. With assistance and guidance from two volunteer Shop Stewards, parents and their Den Chief, these Webelos learned basic shop safety rules, how to read working drawings, measuring and marking skills, how to use a hammer and nail punch and they even got to install some hinges. As the boxes began to take shape, so did their smiles. At the end of the session, the Webelos had created six awesome owl boxes. After watching this “normally active bunch” stay focused and engaged for over 2 hours, their Den Leader described it as “a truly awesome experience”.

Scouts and other volunteers will continue this conservation project on future Camp Snyder Service Days by installing these owl boxes throughout the camp and maintaining them in the coming years. Many similar conservation projects are available – Scouts recently installed four bluebird boxes at camp with several more to go. If you would like to learn more about conservation and other service projects at Camp Snyder, upcoming Service Days or to arrange for group projects, please email us at CWBS.Volunteers@gmail.com.

Michael’s Woodshop at Camp William B. Snyder is a hands-on work space that was designed for use by Scouts of all ages to create and learn. From Baloo the Builder activities to Eagle Scout Projects, our group of volunteer Shop Stewards can help you organize and carry out successful events. Michael’s Woodshop may be reserved for Unit activities, District events and many other Scouting activities. To learn more about shop capabilities, upcoming events and reserving the shop please visit the Camp Snyder website or email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.