We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Colonial

A New York City Trip with Troop 996

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by Campmaster Chris G. and Senior Patrol Leader Teddy G.

Troop 996 from Aldersgate United Methodist Church took an educational, exciting and fun-filled trip to New York City over Memorial Day Weekend. This trip was planned by Life Scout Chris G. and adult mentor Mr. Gayton. The educational aspect of this trip involved each Scout giving a short overview of each of the planned historical or iconic stops that they were assigned, this enabled each scout to improve their writing and public speaking skills.

The trip started with a drive to Liberty State Park on the morning of May 25th, in the afternoon the troop visited the beautiful Ellis Island (the cradle of immigration for the United States) and the Statue of Liberty (a gift from France). That night the troop had a dinner with two games of bowling at the Fort Hamilton bowling alley. The Scouts slept at the Fort Hamilton fitness center (courtesy of the Fort Hamilton Command team support).

The next morning, the troop had a wonderful breakfast provided by First Class Scout Thomas M. which included bagels, meat, cheese, apples, and homemade muffins provided by Mrs. Mulhern. The troop boarded the 8:00am Staten Island ferry and were fortunate to receive an impromptu magic show by an amazing magician, “Brucelee”, who baffled us with his sleight of hand for the 20-minute ferry ride. In Downtown Manhattan, the troop’s stops included the bull on Wall Street, the 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial, the Federal Reserve, and ended with a photo overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. Lunch was at the Little Italy pizza joint on the outskirts of Chinatown.

After lunch, the troop visited the Titanic Memorial, walked through Chinatown, and took the subway (we talked our way on for free) to the Empire State building. The Scouts loved the view from 1,250 feet up. After returning to ground level, the troop walked up 5th Avenue and got to visit the New York Public Library, the main hall of Grand Central Station, Trump Tower, and Central Park. On the way down 6th Avenue the troop saw Radio City music hall and cut over to the iconic Times Square as the rain started coming down on us in buckets. The boys enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the heart of Times Square at Bubba Gump’s. After dinner, the Scouts took the subway back to Battery Park and boarded the 8:30 ferry headed for Staten Island. The troop slept at the same fitness center Sunday night and then departed by 0700 the next morning for home with breakfast en route.

Overall this trip was educational and had a lasting effect on the Scouts because it showed them that any trip is possible if a Scout puts in the work and time to plan and execute it. For many of the Scouts, this weekend trip to New York city was a once-in-a-lifetime event that Troop 996 was able to provide. Additionally, with some detailed planning and good negotiating skills, the cost per attendee for transportation, entrance tickets, entertainment, lodging, and food was an extraordinarily low $145. This trip is a testament to the success a Scout-led troop can have when youth are willing to put in the work and time to prepare with quality adult mentorship.

Colonial Unit in Action: Troop 996 DC Tour and Lock-in

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Submitted by Troop Scribe Scott R. and Senior Patrol Leader Teddy G. Troop 996 is chartered by Aldersgate United Methodist Church

The Scouts of Troop 996, chartered by Aldersgate United Methodist Church, chose to tour the Nation’s Capital and hold a lock-in for their January event. The event was planned by Star Scout Aiden H., with adult assistance. On Saturday January 26th, Troop 996 gathered for a fun-filled day that began at the Pentagon, where scouts learned about the history of the facility and the U.S. military. The Troop also visited the Hall of Heroes, which is a room dedicated to all of the Medal of Honor recipients. The tour ended after visiting 9-11 memorials and hearing first-hand accounts from that day.

After touring the Pentagon, the Troop departed for the District of Columbia to enjoy lunch at the National Law Enforcement Memorial and tour the brand-new National Law Enforcement Museum. The Troop split into patrols for STEM-focused guided tours. Following the tour, the Troop explored independently and learned about bullet proof vests, new police cars, fingerprinting, SWAT takedowns, and lots of other cool stuff. In the museum, they even had a real patrol car that Scouts could sit in.

After touring the museum, the Troop visited Arlington National Cemetery. The Troop was led on a tour by Mr. Tom Schultz, a representative from DC Military Tours. The Troop respectfully observed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and witnessed a very moving ceremony, a changing of the Guard, and a wreath laying. This tomb has been guarded every minute of every day by the Old Guard since 1937.

Following the tours, the Troop returned to Aldersgate United Methodist Church for dinner and an evening of camaraderie and friendship playing board games and cards – without electronics.

Big thanks to Mr. Hicks for our Pentagon Tour and Mr. Schultz for the tour of Arlington National Cemetery.

Colonial Unit in Action: Troop 1906 Participates in Events Honoring Black History Month

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Submitted from Troop 1906, Chartered by Bethlehem Baptist Church

In addition to their program, the Troop also participated in an event at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon. Working with mansion supervisor Dan Storck, Scouts from 1906 gathered at the the Mt. Vernon Slave Memorial to honor slaves who worked at the mansion from 1760-1860.

Announcing Colonial’s Newest Unit: Sea Scout Ship 818

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As our units host their Join Scouting Nights, Colonial is pleased to announce its newest offering for youth: Sea Scout ship 818. The addition of Ship 818 has been years in the making and is the result of hours of work among several Colonial leaders. Ship 818 is chartered by Belle Haven Marina and is open to girls and boys ages 14-20. Current Colonial Scouts as well as youth not presently part of Scouting may join Ship 818. For more information, please contact George Stevens, the Ship’s Chartered Organization representative at gstevens@saildc.com or Reginald Moten, Ship Skipper, at scubaship818@gmail.com.

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.