We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Uncategorized

National Jamboree Postponement FAQ

by

National Jamboree Postponement FAQ

General

Q. Why has the 2021 National Jamboree been postponed?
A. The safety of Scouts, volunteers, staff members and communities is at the forefront of every decision the BSA makes. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have wide-ranging implications for events across the country, and the Jamboree is no exception. Planning, preparations, and decisions regarding National Jamborees take place months, and even years, in advance. Given the current situation and the uncertain nature of future conditions, we determined we could not prepare in a manner that would provide the safest possible environment for all those involved. We look forward to holding this incredible event at a future date.

Q. When will the next National Jamboree be held?
A. A Jamboree task force of volunteers and staff, appointed by national Boy Scouts of America leadership, will recommend a new date for this event. We will inform all currently registered participants once that date is selected.

Refunds and travel plans

Q. I am a registered youth participant or the parent of a youth participant; how will I receive my refund?
A. Council contingent members should work directly with their local council regarding refunds.

Q. I am a registered Jamboree Service Team member; how will I receive my refund?
A. The Jamboree Department at the National Service Center will process refunds.

Q. I am a Jamboree Service Team member and have already booked my flight, what should I do?
A. Jamboree Service Team members should work directly with their airline to inquire about refunds or flight credits.

Other High Adventure opportunities

Q. Will the Summit have other high adventure programs next year?

A. At this time, the Summit Bechtel Reserve is taking reservations for 2021 Summit Adventure programming with councils and Jamboree contingents. BSA High Adventure Base programs, including those offered at the Summit, can be found at
https://www.scouting.org/outdooradventures/​.

Q. Can my unit still attend the S ummit as part of the James C. Justice National Scout Camp in the summer of 2021?
A. Yes, you can review options for an adventure at the Summit here:
https://www.summitbsa.org/programs/scout-camp/

Q. What other adventure opportunities will be available next year?
A. Council camps offer incredible opportunities for adventure of all kinds and levels. While some may not be open now, be sure to consider your local council camp when planning for next year.

Other
Q. I am a participant who applied for a scholarship to attend the Jamboree, will I need to apply again when the Jamboree is rescheduled?
A. Yes. Unfortunately, you will need to apply again given that the situation, available funds, and allocation process may be different.

Q. If I have already accepted a staff assignment, what happens to my position?
A. The BSA will inform key stakeholder groups of plans and decisions regarding positions for a future Jamboree as soon as that information is available.

Q. Can I still buy 2021 National Jamboree merchandise and apparel?
A. No. Official BSA 2021 National Jamboree merchandise and apparel are no longer available.

Q. My council is planning a pre-Jamboree trip for a few days before the Jamboree (Ex: Washington, D.C.), is that still going to happen? Will we still get the local contingent merchandise we ordered?
A. Council contingent members should work directly with their local council to inquire about pre-Jamboree trips and locally ordered merchandise.

Q. I am a youth participant but may be over 18 for the new National Jamboree date, can I still go as a participant?
A. Yes. There will be opportunities to attend a future Jamboree within the participant structure and the Jamboree Service Team structure.

Q. Where is the best place to go for the latest information?
A. As new information becomes available, we will include it on the 2021 National Jamboree Website at www.jamboree.scouting.org.

Q. What if I have questions that aren’t answered here?

A. Some details are not available yet. However, we will do our best to answer your question if you send an email to ​2021Jamboree@scouting.org​.

Rev: July 14, 2020

Trashing the Trash!

by

 

Saturday, July 11th started as a challenge however, we kept pushing to the mark and collected (Maya – 2nd yr Daisy Girl Scout – 16.5 lbs) and (Marco – 1st yr Weblo Cub Scout 31.0 lbs). So, as I originally stated, the day started kind of rocky. I dropped Marco off with his Den Leader and within 10 minutes I got the call that he had thrown up. Oh boy! He rested and began to feel better, so we tried again. It was roughly 4 PM when we started and about 5:20 PM when we finished.

We left our residence in Upper Marlboro in our neighborhood of Marlton. As I drive home, I often see a lot of litter on the main road of Heathermore Blvd. Well, we didn’t have to go far. Today was a win win. My kids put down their tablets and moved from in front of the TV to do some good in our community. I made it into a contest. Maya was winning at the start, however, Marco found abandoned two (2) 5 gallon paint buckets. Our official winner is Marco. Truthfully, we are all winners that thought enough to Trash the Trash on today’s date.

An Eagle’s Guide to the Rainforest | Adventure Talks Webinar

by

Fellow World Explorer, Gabriel Burgos (left), and Evan Dann (right) holding up the NESA World Explorers flag while out for a hike through the forest searching for the best spot to set up wildlife cameras.

In the summer of 2018, I was one of several Eagle scouts chosen to participate in the NESA World Explorers program. I travelled to the Amazon to participate in a two-week research experience at Tiputini Biodiversity Station (TBS), a part of the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador. On Tuesday, July 14, 2020 I’ll share a presentation in the Adventure Talks Webinar Series about my experiences while on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure to one of the most remote places on earth.

I’m sitting in the front of a canoe as Gabriel and I are birdwatching on a small lake in the forest.

I will cover some information about the research that is performed at TBS, what we did to help document and map Jaguar populations in that part of the forest, and what it was like to live at TBS. I’ll highlight some of the most amazing plants and animals we encountered while hiking; and I’ll tell you my wildest stories about the forest – including being chased by a pack of peccaries! At the end of this presentation, I’ll be able to answer your questions about the NESA World Explorer program and how to apply!

A downed tree on which a trail crosses a ravine. When it rains the water level in the ravines can rise upwards of 10 feet!

My Bio : I am currently studying Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Nanotechnology at Boston University. I earned my Eagle Scout award in 2015 and five Eagle palms. I’ve been a volunteer Merit Badge counselor at BSA Camp Airy for 7 years teaching the Ice Skating and Pioneering merit badges. In addition to participating in the NESA World Explorer Amazon Research Experience, I’ve completed a Philmont backpacking trek in 2015; I’ve sailed Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island with Sea Scout Ship 59 in 2016; and competed in the Sea Scout Koch Cup in 2018 in Galveston, TX.

A saddleback tamarin spotted climbing on the trees just outside of the station’s laboratory.

I also volunteered as a scout at President Obama’s Inauguration in 2012 and President Trump’s Inaugural parade in 2017. Personally, some other adventures I’ve undertaken include hiking the Appalachian Trail through all of Maryland, parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, living in France for 6 months, and skiing through the Alps, Colorado Rockies, and parts of New England.

 

 

Photo 5 : I’m standing in the station’s lab and library that me and Gabriel used in the evening to learn more about the animals we encountered during the day.

Tune into Evan’s presentation and join him for a conversation on July 14, 2020 at 7PM in the Adventure Talks Webinar.  Register here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks

Learn Python Coding with Ayiti Analytics, a Data Science Lab!

by

Exploring is a BSA affiliate program focused on career exploration and development.

Ayiti Analytics is a Data Science Lab formed by a former NCAC Scout based in Haiti that is advancing analytical capacity through education, consulting and research.

Ayiti Analytics is forming virtual NCAC Explorer Posts and you are invited!

In their first cohort, Ayiti will will offer a series about Introductions to Computer Programming in Python. This is a series of six 90-minute sessions in which Ayiti will teach:

  • Python knowledge: introduction to computing
  • Shadowing at a Data Science Company: as a bonus, Ayiti will also provide students who complete the Introduction to Computing Course with an opportunity to shadow their virtual Data Science Lab for an afternoon; the goal is to show you what a real working day at a Data Science Company looks like!
  • Nova Award: for those who are registered Scouts BSA, they will have the opportunity to earn requirements 3-8 of Nova Award – Hello World! Please note however, that you do not need to be a Scout to become an Ayiti Explorer.

The first cohort kicked off in June, and the second cohort will begin this Saturday, July 11th. This session will run on Saturday from 10:00AM – 11:30AM on these days:

  • July 11, 2020
  • July 18, 2020
  • July 25, 2020
  • August 1, 2020
  • August 8, 2020
  • August 15, 2020

Read more about Ayiti Analytics and register here!

This program is brought to you by a former White Oak District Boy Scout, Morgan Mendis!

NEW Leadership Seminar: How To Deliver Engaging Unit Meetings Over Zoom

by

Based on attendee feedback from our first Seminar, many Scouts are looking for ways to keep their Unit meetings engaging and exciting over Zoom. NYLT Staff are developing a second Leadership Seminar to share tips, tricks and ideas to help you deliver a fun program Scouts will want to attend.

NYLT Staff will offer this live 50-minute webinar on
Tuesday, June 30th @ 5pm
The event is FREE, but space is limited
Register at: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gp-GgpNaSNCYfDNr0G34sw
(Scouters welcome though the target audience is Youth)

FAQ
Q. Is this an “Online NYLT course?”
A. No. NYLT is a 6-day practical learning experience. We are offering this webinar to help Scouts who have attended NYLT (or are thinking about attending NYLT) focus on a few specific leadership topics in a fast-paced online format.

Q. Will this session be offered again?
A. This is currently the only time we are offering this seminar.

Q. Is there a certificate of completion I can share with my Unit Leader?
A. All Scouts will have an opportunity to receive (via email) a certificate of attendance.

Q. May Scouts who are not in NCAC attend this activity?
A. Of course. We will advertise within NCAC primarily but welcome Scouts outside NCAC who wish to explore leadership concepts.

Q. Will these webinars be placed on YouTube?
A. Not currently… but we’re looking into it. No participants are recorded because we use the Zoom “Webinar” package.

Q. When is the next opportunity to take NYLT in NCAC?
A. We are planning on holding courses in 2021, starting with a Winter course running across two 3-day weekends (MLK and Presidents’ Day). Registration typically opens in October but fills quickly. We anticipate running courses in the summer of 2021 as well.

Have questions? Email contact@myNYLT.org!

Register at: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gp-GgpNaSNCYfDNr0G34sw

NCAC Celebrates Juneteenth!

by

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom. Now, 155 years later, people in cities and towns across the U.S. continue to mark the occasion with parades, picnics, family gatherings and other celebrations.

Why Celebrate Juneteenth?

For many Juneteenth is a day of reflection and rejoicing. It is a time to see how far the black community has come and just how far we have to go.

Some may ask, why not celebrate it in September, when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed? Unfortunately, many slaves were not informed President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation freeing them from slavery in 1863. But on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger, along with two thousand soldiers of the 13th Army Corps, marched through Galveston, TX, reading General Order, No. 3, which stated:

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”

The ending of slavery was monumental in the black community. It changed the course of their lives from education to employment for generations to come.

Today, state governments and companies are beginning to recognize the importance of Juneteenth for the black community. Twitter and Nike have announced Juneteenth will be an official company holiday, and the state of New York and the Commonwealth of Virginia are currently advancing legislation to make Juneteenth a state holiday.

How Can Scouts Celebrate Juneteenth?

Scouts and Scouters can celebrate by learning the history behind Juneteenth. Good activities for a unit could include:

• Take a virtual tour of a museum.  https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions,
• Read a book or visit a website that explains the significance of Juneteenth and lead a discussion. http://www.juneteenth.com
• Visit your local parks and recreations websites to find local events to attend. Please be sure events comply with NCAC’s guidance for resuming in-person activities. http://www.pgparks.com/780/Juneteenth
• Learning about Juneteenth can also help Scouts working on the American Cultures merit badge. 

Did your unit celebrate Juneteenth? Let us know what you did! Submit your stories to weownadventure.com/submit!