We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouting Programs

Introducting USVI’s New District Executive, Laura Kuras

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My name is Laura Kuras and I am the NCAC District Executive for our US Virgin Islands and Director of the local Boy Scout Camp here in St. Croix, Camp Howard M. Wall. I am extremely excited to be here in the USVI because it is such a beautiful location filled with amazing people who are ready and willing to bring Scouting back in to the community.

Looking back, I am happy to say, I have been lucky enough to make Scouting a part of my life for over twenty-seven years and from that I have gained so much. My parents introduced me to Scouting at the age of five so, as a little kid I was able to learn and appreciate the outdoors in a way that not all young people get to and for that I am so thankful. Throughout grade school and well into my college years I was able to use my Scouting experiences to open so many new doors that I believe wouldn’t have been possible without my background in the outdoors. Before graduating from college, I was fortunate enough to work for two of the BSA high adventure bases, Sea Base and Philmont, which gave me the opportunity to really figure out what I was passionate about in life. Now as an adult, I get to share my experiences with others which could allow them to see the world from a whole new view. Throughout my life I hope to inspire others to enjoy the journey of life and take in every opportunity to try new things always, and I hope to do the same for as long as possible.

Troop 26’s Excellent Summer

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This summer 16 Scouts and 3 Scouters of Troop 26 (“26 KICKS!!”) experienced the North Carolina mountains in BSA’s Southern Region, Area 5, Daniel Boone Council. We were way back in the holler, about 15 miles from Asheville as the crow flies. The 8-hour drive from Stafford was well worth it for the variety of activities and the opportunity to visit Boonesboro Village for our older Scouts, not to mention the cooler, drier air of the mountains – getting out of the heat and humidity was, well, pretty cool! Not only did Scouts and Scouters alike learn to appreciate the refreshing frigid temperature of spring fed mountains streams, but several older Scouts also participated in the Boonesboro Village living history camp. There they honed skills essential to living in the 1770s such as hatchet throwing, black powder rifle shooting, blacksmithing and making their own clothes. Average temperatures were 20 degrees cooler than those of their lowland Scout brethren which made for very restful evenings – good sleepin’ weather. As an added bonus the Troop camped at the New River Trail State Park and toured the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower that manufactured lead shot (musket bullets) hundreds of years ago. Our Scouts found both locations so outstanding that they are in the rotation to be visited again.

US Coast Guard Tall Ship Hosts Sea Scouts

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Once each year, ten distinguished Sea Scouts from around the United States are invited by the US Coast Guard to spend a week sailing aboard the USCGC EAGLE.  The EAGLE is a 295ft long fully rigged sailing barque.  She was taken as a war prize from the Nazi Navy in 1945 and has been mostly stripped of her Nazi past and converted into a symbol of American freedom and help.  (As any boat owner knows, some parts are impossible to replace. So despite much grinding and polish a watchful eye can still spot hints of the ship’s darker past.)

Sea Scouts climbed the rope ladders up the masts and helped raise and lower the 23 sails with over 22,000 square feet of sail area.  They worked in the galley under a culinary-trained galleymaster (Coast Guard food is know to be very good), and assisted with the day to day operations of the boat.

While the EAGLE does not engage in critical Coast Guard missions such as drug interdiction, fisheries enforcement or search-and-rescue (except under very specific circumstances), the Scouts were briefed on the exciting career of a Coast Guard sailor or officer. 

The week paid off with at least one NCAC Sea Scout sending forward an application to the very prestigious and selective US Coast Guard Academy.

Troop 447 Teams with MoCo Fire & Rescue to Retire Flags

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by Robert Snip

On August 11, members from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue visited the Troop 447 Rockville camp at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, asking if the Troop would be able to retire their #1 flag. SPL Sam accepted the HUGE flag, and commissioned Ivan, Daniel, Owen, Andrew and Nathan to retire the flag at the Saturday campfire at Greenbrier State Park.
The flag was deconstructed, leaving the union intact and the stripes and the union were respectfully placed into the flames.


All photos courtesy of Robert Snip.

Eagle Scout Neighbors

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Scouting is a family affair, no more so than on Permit and Society Courts in Herndon, VA, where ten boys grew up as friends and next-door neighbors, and where all became Eagle Scouts in Troop 1570, chartered to the Clearview Elementary School PTA in Herndon. Their Eagle boards of review span a fifteen-year period.

Through all their Scouting years, the Scouts’ five families shared not just boundaries to their yards but a deep bond that comes from a belief in the mission and value of Scouting. The Scouts’ parents were active through those all those years as registered leaders and participating parents in Pack 1570 and Troop 1570. Now the families are celebrating the notable accomplishments of their Scouts.

Tony Aiello is the audio/video engineering director for a prominent Bible church in Northern VA. Tony is responsible for the development, installation and maintenance of the critical infrastructure and support systems for multiple buildings. Tony has also started his own company providing audio/video support to the ministries of other churches around the DC area. Tony and his wife Christina live in Northern VA. Tony was Troop 1570’s 51st Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on October 30, 2003.

Dan Claff lives in Central NJ, where he works as a civil engineer for a major international engineering consulting firm. Dan earned a doctorate in engineering science at Oxford University. Dan was Troop 1570’s 52nd Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on October 30, 2003.

Science has always held a fascination for Matthew Feltz. Possessing a degree in integrated science and technology and a master’s degree in bioinformatics, Matt writes software to process complex biological data and glean important information for medical and scientific research. After several years working in the Washington DC area, Matthew and his wife Julie have recently relocated to the NC Research Triangle. Matt was Troop 1570’s 65th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on April 29, 2006.

Michael Aiello and his wife Cynthia live in a remote village in Northwestern Alaska. Michael serves as a deputy magistrate and law clerk. Michael earned his law degree at Regent University School of Law. Michael was Troop 1570’s 66th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on June 21, 2006.

Tim Feltz has his degree in international business and has been working in the international transport business for several years. He and his fiancee Brianna recently moved to Central NC. He enjoys hiking, camping, and the beach. Tim was Troop 1570’s 68th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on November 19, 2006.

Josh Feltz has a degree in horticulture. Josh enjoys working with all types of plants in an environmentally conscious manner. He has a special interest in promoting native plants, protecting pollinators, and planting trees. He has spent three years working in botanical gardens and is currently working for a plant service in Northern Virginia. Josh was Troop 1570’s 83rd Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on January 7, 2009.

Lucas Kane and his wife Sarah currently reside in Central KS. Lucas is in his final year of medical school and serving his hospital rotations. Lucas is seeking to practice family medicine. To date he has delivered or assisted in the delivery of fourteen babies! Lucas was Troop 1570’s 89th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on January 17, 2010.

This fall, Fletcher Phillips started student-teaching 8th grade civics for a Northern VA public school system. Fletcher will earn his master’s degree in education in May 2019. Fletcher was Troop 1570’s 107th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on October 20, 2013.

Tucker Phillips is a Junior at a Northern VA university, studying environmental science. Tucker also serves as a dormitory resident adviser. Tucker was Troop 1570’s 118th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on September 28, 2016.

Spencer Phillips began college at a Richmond, VA area university this fall. Spencer plans to study filmmaking. Spencer was Troop 1570’s 123rd Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on August 9, 2018.

Scout on St. Croix Earns Elite Master Scuba Diver Certification

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Evan Dykstra, 12, is a Scout with Troop 7227 on St. Croix, USVI. In July Evan joined an elite group of divers by earning his Junior Master Scuba Diver certification. Only 3% of scuba divers attain this level, the highest a recreational diver can earn.

At the age of 8 Evan started diving through PADI’s Bubblemaker course at Sweet Bottom Dive Center, then earned his Open Water certification at age 10. This was followed by his Adventure certification by completing  specialty courses in peak performance buoyancy, navigation, boat diver, fish ID and photography. Evan then completed First Aid/CPR/AED training for his Rescue Diver certification. Once Evan turned 12 he was then eligible to complete his Advanced certification and with it his Master Diver accomplishment. The day after this achievement Evan completed his 200th dive and plans on many more adventures.