We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouting Programs

More Than 100 Hikers Answered the Call to High Adventure in this Year’s Carpe Adventure Trek

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Promptly at 6:30 A.M., the first wave of Scouts set out from Alexandria toward National Harbor as part of Colonial’s Carpe Adventure Trek, or CAT. The 40 and 20 kilometer distances challenged Scouts to seize the (early) call for adventure during a day with a brisk wind and a high temperature of 47. In its second year, the CAT challenge was answered by 29 more hikers than in 2018 and included 14 units from four districts in the Council.

At support stops at Fort Hunt Park, Belle Haven Park, and at National Harbor, enthusiasm was high among Colonial’s hiking Scouts as they ticked off milestones and achieved greater distances. The smiles and laughs were plentiful (as were a few sock changes, blister treatments, and water breaks).

The first group of Scouts returned to Alexandria just shortly before 3PM to receive the coveted CAT Claw challenge coin for completing the 40km distance (akin to hiking a marathon).

Congratulations to all our CAT hikers who completed the trek. In addition, special thanks to Colonial’s Order of the Arrow chapter for managing the support stop at Belle Haven Park and to our many parent volunteers who helped at Good Shepherd Parish (host for the hike), Fort Hunt Park, Belle Haven and at National Harbor as well as the numerous volunteers who helped behind the scenes make this year’s CAT Trek successful.

The CAT awaits you in 2020….answer its challenge! “Many Are Called, Few Will Triumph.”

Colonial Unit in Action: Troop 1906 Participates in Events Honoring Black History Month

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Submitted from Troop 1906, Chartered by Bethlehem Baptist Church

In addition to their program, the Troop also participated in an event at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon. Working with mansion supervisor Dan Storck, Scouts from 1906 gathered at the the Mt. Vernon Slave Memorial to honor slaves who worked at the mansion from 1760-1860.

How to Polish Your Pinewood Derby Car’s Axles and Wheels

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The quality of your Pinewood Derby car’s axles and wheels may be the most important factor in building a fast car. Here’s how to choose and polish your car’s axles and wheels.

Polishing Pinewood Derby Axles

1. Start with a set of raw axles.

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2. Can you tell the difference between the axles in the top row and the ones on the bottom? The ones on the bottom aren’t straight and will slow your car.

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3. To tell which are straight and which aren’t, mark each axle with a marker about 1/2 inch from the pointed end.

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4. Have an adult clamp a power drill into a vise, a device that will hold it perfectly still.

5. Have an adult help you insert each axle into the drill at the location you marked in Step 3. Have the adult turn on the drill.

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6. Bent axles will wobble as they turn in the drill. Straight axles will hardly wobble at all. Pick the ones that wobble least.

7. Once you’ve selected the four straightest axles, use a file or fine-grit sandpaper to remove small burrs and mold marks that can cause friction and slow a car. These imperfections should be removed from both the axles and the wheels. Watch this video to learn one way to do this.

8. Use polishing compound from the auto supply store to polish the wheels and axles. One easy way to do this is to clamp the axles back in the drill and let the drill spin the axle while you polish it.

9. When you install the axles and wheels, make sure they are aligned perfectly straight. You can test the alignment of your axles by pushing your car across a smooth floor or table. It should roll in a straight line.

10. Don’t forget to add graphite or another dry lubricant to your wheels and axles.

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This post originally appeared on the online version of Boys’ Life Magazine at https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/pinewood-derby/151297/how-to-polish-your-pinewood-derby-cars-axles-and-wheels/. 

Cub Scout Recognized for Achievement in STEM Activities

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A local Cub Scout, Marco J Martin of Pack 539 has earned the Alvarez Supernova.

“I wanted to do the Supernova because there were fun activities,” said Marco. “And I would learn a lot about mathematics, science and engineering.”

Marco entered into the Lion Pilot Program at Mt. Ennon Baptist Church located in Clinton, Maryland at the age of 5. He has gone through the ranks of Lion and Tiger, and is currently at the rank of Wolf. As a Tiger, Marco wanted to earn the Supernova, however, Tigers are not eligible to earn the Cub Scout Supernova award.

“I was not able to start the Supernova until this year when I became a Wolf,” said Marco. “I continued in Cub Scouts because it was fun and I have friends in Cub Scouts.”

The Cub Scout Supernova award recognizes superior achievement by a Cub Scout in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To earn the award, Marco learned about Dr. Luis Alvarez and other famous scientists, participated in a science project at school, visited a workplace where STEM technology is being used, and conducted an experiment of his own choosing. The requirements provide options for pursuit, and since Marco enjoys mathematics, he concentrated his efforts in that area.

Since 2014, 128 Cub Scouts have earned the Alvarez Supernova in NCAC. Less than 2500 Alvarez Supernova Awards have been earned Nationwide. Since 2018,  70 Supernova Awards from all ranks have been earned in NCAC.

Current NCAC records show that Marco is the first Cub to earn the Alvarez Supernova in the Patuxent District.

“When I was reading books or doing experiment I learned new stuff and it was fun. I thought it was going to be hard, but it was just a lot of work.”