We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

adventure

Adventure Talks

by

Join us every Tuesday at 7PM as we host conversations with adventurers!

Adventure Talks are a webinar series to bring the illustrious and exciting adventures that Scouts take to you! Scouts have explored the deep ocean, the corners of the earth, and space. This series of talks features presentations and panels about Philmont, the Appalachian Trail, research in Antarctica, biking across the USA, Scouting Jamborees, and more. The first two presentations are described below, and you can read more here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks

July 7: Philmont Talks:  Fires, the Welcome Center, the highest peaks and longest treks

A panel of Philmont Ambassadors, Rangers and Camp Directors take you on this virtual adventure!

Panelist Tom Giugni: He first experienced Philmont as an adult advisor for a 7 day trek in 1997. Since then, he’s trekked two 12-day treks and one Autumn Adventure trek. He attended training at the PTC and served as faculty and course director for NAYLE and Philmont Leadership Challenge and served as volunteer coordinator for NAYLE and PLC at Philmont. He’s worked as seasonal staff in Logistics at Philmont Scout Ranch as a Trip Planner in 2011 and 2012 and as the Logistics Manager in 2013-2018 (the Ute Park Fire occurred during my last year as manager.) He drove commissary trucks in 2019 and was schedule to serve as camp director for Rayado Ridge Leadership Camp before Philmont cancelled the 2020 camping season due to COVID-19.

Panelist Jay Oakman: Jay is currently the Central Region Area 5 Camp Assessment Chair. In the past 40 years he has held positions in Unit,(Pack, Troop, Ship and Crew) District, Council, Area, Regional and National. He severed on 27 National Camping Schools for Day Camp Administration, the last 18 as a Course Director. At Philmont, Jay has been on Backcountry treks, a participant at the Training Center, and been staff at Basecamp and well as faculty at the Training Center.

Panelist Sam McGrath: Sam is currently the District Executive of George Mason District in the National Capital Area Council. But before he joined us, had worked at Philmont for 7 seasons, including a fall and a winter, and in 3 different departments!

Panelist Arden Dougan: Dr. Arden Dougan is a Philmont Ambassador and has earned the Master’s Track Knot. She has been on faculty at the Philmont Training Center 7 times. She co-developed the 2016 STEM/Nova and 2010-2011 University of Scouting conference and has served on faculty for Boy Scout Roundtable conference. She was a Crew Advisor on a Philmont Trek. Her Eagle Scout Son and Venturer/Girl Scout Gold Award daughter have enjoyed the Philmont Training Center family program. She has been an avid Unit District, Council, Area, Regional and National Scouter, and she has staffed the National Scout Jamboree and the World Scout Jamboree. Arden is the VP of Program Impact on the Executive Board at the National Capital Area Council, and the ideator behind Adventure Talks!

• Moderator Julia Mae-Shen Lesko: Julia Mae-Shen Lesko’s love for Philmont began in 1983, when her father took the family to Philmont Training Center, and Julia spent a memorable week on a Mountain Woman Trek.  She serves as the current national Wood Badge coordinator for Scouting U and Northeast Region Wood Badge coordinator.  Julia has served in many leadership positions at the unit level (pack, troop, crew) as well as district, region, and national levels. A member of the National Capital Area Council, Julia currently serves as an Assistant Council Commissioner (Commissioner College Dean) and as one of the council’s Philmont Ambassadors.  She has served as a conference facilitator and trainer at the Philmont Training Center, Florida Sea Base, Summit Bethel Reserve, and National Order of the Arrow Conference.

 Julia is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and recipient of the Silver Buffalo Award, Silver Antelope Award, Silver Beaver Award, District Award of Merit, Philmont Masters Track Knot/Device, and other training knot awards.  Julia resides in Gainesville, Virginia, with her wonderfully supportive Scouter husband, John. Although this summer’s trip to Philmont has been delayed due to Covid-19, the newlyweds can’t wait to get to Philmont soon!

July 14: An Eagle’s Guide to the Rainforest 

 NESA World Explorer Evan Dann shares his experience at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador!

Speaker Evan Dann: Evan is currently studying Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Nanotechnology at Boston University. He earned my Eagle Scout award in 2015 and five Eagle palms. He’s 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, he has completed a Philmont backpacking trek in 2015; he’s 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. Evan also volunteered as a scout at President Obama’s Inauguration in 2012 and President Trump’s Inaugural parade in 2017. Some other adventures that Evan has 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.

 

 

The Adventure Talks are brought to you by the NCAC High Adventure Committee and Summer WOW Task Force! We hope you have a WONDERFUL time tuning in with us every Tuesday at 7PM!

If you want to share your adventure, please email the High Adventure Committee Chair: john.blackwell@goosecreekdistrict.org

New Cub-A-Day Summer Program

by

Welcome to the new Cub-A-Day Summer Program, where every day there’s an adventure waiting for you and your Cub Scout! For the next 12 weeks we will post new, fun and exciting Cub Scout activities in efforts to keep your Scouts engaged, active and learning. From crafts to exercise to cooking, your Cub Scout will advance in a variety of skills!

We invite all Lions, Tigers, Wolves, and Webelos to join us on this 7 week adventure! And remember if you have a friend interested in Scouting, they can join in on the fun too! For more information on Cub Scout activities and programs please visit ncacbsa.org/summer and be sure to join our new Cub Scout Group on Facebook! Check out our first week of adventurous activities below.

MAKE SOMETHING MONDAY

WELCOME TO THE FIRST CUB-A-DAY MAKE SOMETHING MONDAY!
Today, you should make a kit to carry your 6 Cub Scout Essentials for all your Adventures this summer. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/08/08/cub-scout-six-essentials-half-dozen-items-pack-every-campout-hike/ Tigers, Wolves, and Webelos – Make sure you get credit for your hiking adventure requirements!

TASTE SOMETHING TUESDAY

Hey, Cub Scouts it’s Taste It Tuesday!
Nothing tastes quite like homemade food.
Today your challenge is to make a Loaf of Bread or Biscuits.  Never done it before? Here is a simple recipe that can help: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/102151/easy-baking-powder-drop-biscuits/

WANDER AROUND WEDNESDAY

Wander Around Wednesday: Get outside – Exercise, Fresh Air, and Sunlight are important!!
If you get 60 mins of physical activity, five days a week, for six weeks in a row – You are eligible for the Scout Presidental Active Lifestyle Award – so start a ScoutStrong Tracker and keep it going: https://www.scouting.org/resources/scoutstrong/

DO SOMETHING THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

Thoughtful Thursday: Make a Summer 2020 Memory Box.  Collect trinkets and write notes about what you do all summer – Use a shoebox, a wooden box you build or buy, or any other container that you like.  Decorate it how you want and start collecting memories.

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY

Family Fun Friday: Make s’mores as a family.  You can roast marshmallows over a fire, or get them melty in the microwave. Classic Smores Recipe: https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/recipe/075108/classic-smores
Some variations for anyone who wants to be adventurous: https://www.campingforfoodies.com/campfire-smores-recipes-10-mouth-watering-smore-variations/ Bonus:  Set up a video call with your den friends and have a Virtual Campfire.

SAFETY SATURDAY

Safety Saturday: The new Protect Yourself Adventure is a great way to learn how to keep yourself safe around strangers, on the internet, and who you can talk with if something happens that makes you feel unsafe. Pick a requirement from the Adventure for your rank and work on it as a family: https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/preview-adventures/protect-yourself-rules/

Young Adult Leaders Needed for Jamboree

by


Scouting’s flagship event is a gathering of thousands of Scouts and Scouters that showcases everything that is great about the Boy Scouts of America. Over the course of 10 days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America gathers together. Scouts and Scouters who attend will participate in many adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, hikes, sports and more! With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.

National Capitol Area Council is looking for ASM3. This contingent Troop position is filled by men and women age 18-21. This unique position is for young adults who are able to serve as a liaison between the older adult leaders and the youth participants.

THE MOST EXCITING JAMBOREE EVER!

Scouting’s PREMIER High Adventure experience! The experience of a lifetime including: whitewater rafting, rock climbing, bouldering, rappelling, zip lines, mountain biking, canopy tours, shooting sports, dragon boats, paddle boats, COPE courses, BMX racing, Pioneering, canoe slalom, kayaking and more. In addition to all of the things you’ve grown to love about the Jamboree, there is patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, Technology Quest, and over 30,000 of your closest friends.

• When: The 2021 National Jamboree is July 21 – 30, 2021
• Where: Summit Bechtel Reserve, New Hope, West Virginia
• We want you! SEEKING:
o Young Adults (age 18-21): who are willing to apply to serve as unit leadership
• Sign Up Now!!  http://jamboree.scouting.org

  • You must have a my.scouting.org account in order to register. If you do not have a profile, please visit http://my.scouting.org and set up an account; you will need to attach your BSA ID to the account so be sure to have the number available.
  • How Much: $1,500* per Young Adult Unit Leader
  • Fees include all food, insurance and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel and cooking utensils during your adventure at the Jamboree. Fees also include transportation to and from the Summit on motorcoach buses. There will be a shakedown campout prior to the Jamboree. No major additional costs. Just show up with your personal camping gear and Jamboree Uniform.
  • NCAC Contingent cost is estimated at $1,500pp. The national fee of $1,175 set by Jamboree Administration covers the expense of program materials, food, insurance, and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel, and cooking utensils. Additional Council fees cover transportation, bags, patches, and other fees.

YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP (ASM3 position):
Young adults wanting to be part of the NCAC Contingent need to submit their applications to Eric Smith (eric.smith@scouting.org) no later than June 1, 2020. Download adult application/survey packet here. All adult applications must be approved by the Council and applicants will be required to participant in an interview prior to being selected as part of the Council Contingent. One young adult will be selected for each of the 10 units sent by the Council.

Download the flier today and get ready to Face The Challenge, Jamboree 2021!

 

Troop 58 Reminisces on Scout Adventures through Interactive Map

by

Founded in 2014, Troop 58 in Ashburn is an active Troop with monthly outdoor events that include camping, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, white-water rafting, climbing, and skiing. What does over five years of these adventures look like? Check out our cool interactive map on our website http://troop58ashburn.camp/resources/. Once there you’ll find all the Troop’s outings (78 of them) since early 2014, plotted on a Google map. Zoom in and explore for inspiration for your next outing!

Shout out to Troop 58’s youth Webmaster, Daniel H., for crafting this map so that we can reminisce about the adventures we’ve had as a Troop and look forward to what’s to come after restrictions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are lifted. Later this year, Troop 58 will be adding Northern Minnesota and Canada to our interactive map when Scouts make their way to Northern Tier High Adventure for a whole new level of adventure!