NCAC would like to take this month to highlight Christa Waterwiese an amazing woman that make our Scouting Program outstanding! She currently serves NCAC as the Senior District Executive for Washington, D.C..
Christa has been involved in Scouting most of her life and was inspired to pursue a career in Scouting. She shared:
” I was always aware that a career in Scouting was possible, but not what it entailed until college. When I graduated in summer of 2019, I went to spend a final summer as the Aquatics Director of Swift High Adventure Base in the Greater Saint Louis Area Council. That summer, several Scouting professionals came down to camp and took interested staff to a dinner in town to learn about career Scouting. While some folks definitely went for the free (non-camp) meal, there were several that were truly interested in possibility. At the end of the summer, I jetted off to the World Scout Jamboree and then Richmond, VA to move in with my long-term girlfriend. In a brand-new city, I turned to what always brought me comfort: Scouting. I learned of an opening in Heart of Virginia Council through a mentor and applied. The rest is history.”
Christa also recalled volunteers and Scouters that provided guidance in her Scouting Journey.
She stated: “My childhood Council had a strong Venturing program, and I had the fortune to be behind a fantastic cohort of female youth leaders. I was truly inspired by their work and many of them went on to become Regional and National Venturing Officers. A few key members of this group took the time to mentor my growing interest; driving me to meetings all over the city, recommending NYLT and NAYLE, and championing my decisions to run for various District, Council, and Area positions.
Two adults I want to acknowledge are Lisa Abernathy and Jenn Hancock. Lisa was my Camp Director at Swift and whose integrity and work ethic I continuously strive to emulate. Jenn is the type of woman who blazes ahead and looks behind her to bring other women along. Both provided me with valuable lessons, modeled a life lived by the Scout Oath and Law, and generously gave me opportunities based on my potential. I would not be where I am today without these two women.”
When asked what representation in the world of Scouting means to her, Christa replied:
“Representation means belonging. When you see others like yourself in Scouting, the little voice of imposter ridden concern finally starts to dissipate. To this day, I still look around the room to count the number of female heads. To this day, I still hesitate before mentioning “my wife” in discussions. While I am delighted with the progress Scouting has made (progress I did not think I would see before my future kids were in the program) that does not mean there is not work to be done. If I want to achieve my goal- that every child has the opportunity to join Scouting- I need to ensure that every child knows they are welcome in the program. And that means moving Scouting towards a place where its adult leadership is representative of the US citizenry. Representation means bringing the local community together to champion the future of our young people, a future Scouting can change for the better.”
Please help NCAC honor Christa who continues to make a great impact in our Scouting Community.
