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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouting Programs

Western Shore District Day Camp

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The 2018 Cub Scout Day Camp at St Mary’s Fairgrounds kicked off Monday June 18th with over 220 Cub Scouts.  We worked through the first day kinks quickly and the Scouts had a terrific day of archery and BB guns, master chef competitions, Cub Scout wash, and much more.

Tuesday was Cub Scout Day Camp accreditation with a tour of the camp and review of all records. The St. Mary’s Fairgrounds Cub Scout Day Camp received 55/55 on the review, with zero deficiencies and exemplary comments.

The Coast Guard visited on Wednesday. The visit was  a real hit for all participants. The Scouts continued their round robin events and left camp with smiles and exciting stories to tell their family and friends.

As a conservation project, the Scouts participated in Milkweed for Monarchs by learning about the decline in the Monarch Butterfly population and planting milkweed seed to restore its habitat. The Elms Environmental Center spoke to the Scouts about invasive species and what can be done to prevent the destruction of native habitats. Our Leave No Trace Pilot Program continued as we integrated LNT practiced into the daily program this week.

Despite the rainy weather on our closing day of camp, families and Scouts enjoyed their time together as we said our good byes.

We had several new additions to Day Camp this year that were big hits! Before & After care makes it convenient for parents to drop off/pick up their Scouts closer to the hours they go to/from work. The Bobcat Boot Camp has new Scouts working on and on target to complete their badge before the close of camp. The Gaga Ball pit at Sports & Games was a highlight this year! The new improved Obstacle Course had kids coming back again and again (maybe because they get wet?)!

Some special thanks go to Kevin McCray who built our new Obstacle Course, putting in lots of hours and work so the kids would have this fun and engaging activity. Matthew Albright with help from his family,worked hard the Saturday before camp to build us a Gaga Ball pit.

Thank you to all the volunteers, parents, and key staff who planned and made Day Camp a success for all the Scouts and siblings who attended and enjoyed their week.

#smccubScoutcamp2018

2018 Annual U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony

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The National Capital Area Council – Aquia District Boy Scouts annual Flag Retirement Ceremony is a tradition held every year on June 14th (National Flag Day) at Quantico National Cemetery.

Tim Spaulding VC Programs, Aquia District comments: ”A flag retirement ceremony is meant to honor the American flag, promote flag etiquette and reemphasize its importance and symbolism.

Our American flag is a symbol of our democracy and we just want to make sure that our communities understand the importance of not only honoring our American flag with proper retirement ceremony, but what it means, as well as the importance of the tradition”. Tim Spaulding added: “This is a tremendous honor for those who serve in uniform, for what they sacrifice to maintain our freedom, the flag represents that; it represents our service, our sacrifice, the freedoms that we have, the independence we enjoy and should never take for granted”.

This year Troop 317 of Stafford VA conducted the Color Guard Assembly complete with a bugler. Father Jay Morris – Aquia Episcopal Church Stafford Va. delivered the invocation.

Charles Bingay was our Guest Speaker.

Spring Camporee 2018: A Scout Skills Competition and Lots of Fun

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The Patriot District Spring Camporee was held at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA, on April 20-22, with more than 190 Scouts and Scouters gathering to share a weekend of camaraderie and fun. Once again the event was blessed with favorable weather. Saturday brought sunny skies and warm temperatures, and Sunday, although overcast, was free of any rain. Participating Patriot District Units included Troops 50, 114, 1131, 1344, 1346, 1412, 1524, 1535, and 1966. They were joined by Scouts from Troop 150 of the Colonial District, and a girls Webelos Den from Patriot District’s Pack 873. William Wallace, OA Chapter Chief, served as the Camporee Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). It was a great weekend of Scouting activity.

The theme for the camporee was Barbarians at the Gate: Scout Skills in Action. The main program involved a Patrol Skills Competition in which Scouts were challenged to demonstrate their proficiency in various fundamental Scout skills. The theme reflected a complex imagined scenario where a horde of barbarians had crash landed their boats on an island during a storm and required proficiency in numerous areas aligned with basic Scout skills to survive. In addition to traditional opening and closing ceremonies, religious services, and the Saturday evening campfire, other camporee activities included archery, air rifle marksmanship, dodge ball, and scaling the NCAC climbing wall.

A special dessert competition was also held following dinner on Saturday evening, and on Sunday morning Scouts conducted a special service project, planting about 300 tree seedlings at selected locations around Camp Snyder.

All the World’s a Stage…and This Explorer Post Is Happy About That

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Tanea Johnson as Mary Wells, Edward Byrd as Marvin Gaye, Jasmine Prather as Tammi Terrell, and Khalid Alzouma as Smokey Robinson

Think all Exploring Posts need to be Police or Fire Posts? Think again! One of the most exciting Exploring Posts around centers on the performing arts.

Post 1711 in Potomac District is sponsored by The Finest Performance Foundation. They and Post 1710 have been serving Montgomery County youth since 2011. Their newest show “Heard It Through the Grapevine – Motown Moments Tribute” is written, choreographed, and directed by Rockville resident actor/producer, Kashi-Tara. The music is under the direction of talented pianist/musical director, Angela Walker. This presentation is produced by The Finest in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg.

This theatrical production marks the 6th show presented as part of the seasonal line-ups at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. Former productions include The Wiz, Black Nativity, A Change Gon’ Come (Life of Harriet Tubman), Stick Fly, and Dreamgirls. So be on the look out for more performances or to get more information on this Post please contact Post Advisor Karen Rawlins thefinestperf@aol.com.

Recruitment and Retention

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Recruitment and retention. Aside from program implementation these are two of the most important aspects of maintaining a healthy unit. Be it a pack, troop or crew, without members there can’t be a program.

As we approach the fall and get ready for the “back to school season” it is important that unit leadership work together to formulate a plan for their biggest opportunity for annual recruitment. Opportunities to recruit and engage the community are all around you. From large scale community events, to setting up a table at a back to school event, the opportunities are plentiful.

If you are looking for ideas or want some additional inspiration there are some great resources out there. Online resources like www.Scoutingwire.org contain invaluable information and resources when it comes to marketing and recruitment. For example, the “Adopt A School Program”, is a fantastic way for packs, troops and crews to make a positive impact while further developing relationships with schools in their communities. Of course, the District Committee is always a resource as well. Don’t forget about all the great leadership and veteran Scouters around you.

Remember to delegate. It takes a team to make these recruitment efforts a success. Be sure to utilize the skills already at your disposal. Your www.my.Scouting.org profile and www.beaScout.org site are tremendous tools when it comes to recruitment and processing of applications. Be sure that you are utilizing those Key 3 positions as well as delegating the additional positions to those who are involved in your unit leadership/committee.

DITCH THE PAPER APPS! Ensure that your unit’s www.beaScout.org site and online application portal are active and contain the correct information. If the Scout or Scouter is new they can complete and submit an online application right then and there! Once the applicant has been approved by the unit leadership and paid for, the applicant is then registered. The online system is proven to be faster and more accurate.

Lastly and most importantly, remember that Scouting is FUN! Be sure to engage your audience with a smile! If you’re not having fun, then they probably aren’t either.

Colonial Recognizes 20 Year Volunteers; Eagles Earn Scholarships

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From left: Dominick Caridi, Linda Hill, Paul MacDonald, Joe Pallone, and Terry Gigure.

This spring, Colonial leaders, volunteers, and their families joined together for the annual volunteer award recognition dinner. This was an opportunity for all of us to join together and say, “thank you!” to the women and men who volunteer countless hours to make Scouting possible in our units and across the entire Colonial District.

In addition to recognizing Colonial’s volunteer leaders for their contributions, the highlight of the evening was the recognition of volunteers who have served Colonial for more than twenty years. In 1998, the Colonial District was formed when the former George Washington District was split into three other districts — Colonial, Patriot, and Chain Bridge. In those twenty years, Colonial has been privileged to have a number of volunteers grow and strengthen the Scouting program for our area youth. Those volunteers who have graciously donated twenty years of service are Dominick Caridi, Terry Gigure, Linda Hill, Paul MacDonald, Joe Pallone, and Demi Pulas.

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Two Colonial Eagles were recently honored by the Rotary Club of Alexandria for their community service and academic accomplishments. For its inaugural year, Eagles Owen Biesada and Ian Peverall each received a $1,500 scholarship to continue their education this fall.

Owen is an Eagle Scout from Troop 129 chartered by Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria. He will graduate from T.C. Williams High School and will attend Texas Christian University. For his Eagle Scout project, Owen spearheaded an effort to repair and maintain trails, picnic tables and facilities at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale.

During the event, the Alexandria Rotary honored Bill Vosbeck, a local Alexandria businessman, Marine Corps veteran, and Eagle Scout. Photo courtesy of Alexandria Rotary.

Ian is an Eagle Scout in Troop 4077 chartered by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. He will graduate from Mt. Vernon High School and attend the College of William and Mary. For his Eagle Scout project, Ian led the effort to fund, manufacture and deliver 35 blankets to Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. The blankets are used to comfort the children as they receive treatment at Shriners Hospital.

Congratulations to Owen and Ian for being the first Colonial Eagles to earn these awards from the Alexandria Rotary. We wish them the very best as the embark on the next chapter in their lives.