We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Eagle Scout

Ashburn Scout’s Eagle Project Is For the Birds

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Mallard ducks and other waterfowl lay their nests on the ground near the edge of water, making them very vulnerable to predators like fox or raccoons. Some estimate nesting success as low as 10 percent for ground nests. Eagle Scout candidate Tapp Rhoads wanted to increase those odds, so he and his fellow Scouts from Ashburn’s Troop 997 spent a weekend building and installing mallard duck nesting tubes all around the Ashburn Farm area, helping protect eggs and ducklings until they’re able to fend for themselves. Nesting tubes of the design Tapp and his Troop have built are generally thought to increase nesting success by up to 80%. The tubes can be repaired and refurbished every year, making the project both near-term impactful and long-term sustainable.

With over 70% of Troop 997’s Scouts participating in the project and an ongoing outreach and education program, the Troop may also be eligible for the prestigious Hornaday Unit Award, one of the most coveted of environmental and conservation awards of the Boy Scouts of America.

From Tapp Rhoads:

My Name is Tapp Rhoads. I am a Stone Bridge High School sophomore and Eagle Scout candidate leading Scouts BSA Troop 997 in a conservation effort benefiting the Ashburn Virginia area. A crew of over 30 Troop 997 Scouts and I recently participated in a project to build and place mallard nesting tubes throughout the Ashburn Farm community.

The Hornaday medals are named to honor William T. Hornaday, noted conservationist who founded the National Zoo in Washington DC, and whose wildlife efforts are widely viewed to have helped saved the American Bison from extinction. Hornaday medals are given only to individuals who perform projects of significance in the areas of conservation and environmental awareness. The Hornaday Unit Award can only be earned by a Scouts BSA Troop when a high proportion of the Troop’s Scouts participate in an environmental project of substance that sustainably addresses an environmental or conservation issue, including educational elements for both the Scouts and the public at large.

After Troop youth leaders reviewed the legacy of William T. Hornaday and his awards at a recent Troop meeting, I outlined the project, including reviewing the conservation problems being addressed, the design and construction plans for the nesting tubes, and the planned installation locations. Mallard ducks and other waterfowl generally lay their eggs on the ground near water, making the eggs and later the hatchlings susceptible to predators. Nesting tubes provide a safe shelter to protect the young ducklings until they can fend for themselves.

I have worked closely with Chip Matthews of the Ashburn Farm HOA on the design of the mallard nesting tubes and mapping out the placement locations. While the initial project was completed in early March, I plan on leading annual maintenance and repair efforts, providing Troop 997 with conservation service opportunities for years to come.

Terry Kolb, Scouts BSA Troop 997’s Scout Master, and Paul Lynch, the Troop’s Senior Patrol Leader, are working with me to integrate the Hornaday Unit Award requirements with his Eagle project.

“We are excited about helping Tapp see his Eagle project to its conclusion, and about his willingness to combine his efforts with the attempt by our Troop to earn the Hornaday Unit Award,” said Scout Master Kolb.

“This has been a rare undertaking, and I’m proud of the massive support we’ve seen by Troop 997 Scouts,” added SPL Paul Lynch.

Scouts BSA Troop 997 is chartered by St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Ashburn, Virginia, and meets there on Thursday nights at 7 PM. For more information, please contact Scout Master Terry Kolb at tkolb118@gmail.com.

This story has been updated from its original post with the addition of Tap Rhoads’ personal account. 

Troop 98 Scout’s Eagle Service Project Featured by Several Local News Outlets

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Boy Scout Patrick Donnelly’s Eagle Scout community service project has attracted the attention of his neighborhood through local support and news coverage.

Patrick’s Eagle Scout project will bring 10 new Little Free Libraries across the neighborhoods of Ward 4 of Washington, D.C. bringing more books to the neighborhood beyond the one public library.

Patrick is a Life Scout in Troop 98, the Troop is chartered by at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Two weekends of work in January by scouts, scouters, and neighbors made quick work of the cutting, building, painting, and finishing of the buildings. Installation of the libraries will take place in the coming weeks and months.

The motivation for Patrick’s project was to help improve literacy in his community by making more books available and easy to access. His project has also received support from the community, through a GoFundMe campaign, a $500 grant from Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B, Annie’s Ace Hardware in Brookland, Galliher and Huguely in Takoma, and WT Construction in Manor Park.

Patrick’s work has also captured other local news coverage. The DC Line a local news organization profiled Patrick’s project in the story “Boy Scout prepares to seed Ward 4 neighborhoods with free book exchanges.” The DC Line story was highlighted in the Washington City Paper‘s “District Line Daily” .

Patrick was also interviewed about his project during the evening Fox 5 TV newscast on January 10, 2019.

Scout Builds Bicycle Shed for Brisben Center

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Fifteen-year-old Nolan Ragon protects a critical means of transportation for homeless adults by raising over $4,000 for Eagle Scout project

The Thurman Brisben homeless shelter, the largest full-service, emergency homeless shelter in the Fredericksburg area, keeps many bicycles on hand so residents can get to work and necessary appointments.  The Center also makes children’s bicycles available for the 90 or so boys and girls who come through the shelter every year.  Due to a lack of space, the bicycles were stored outside in every kind of weather, which negatively impacted their functioning and longevity.

But not anymore. To solve this problem, Nolan Ragon, a 15-year-old Scout from Boy Scout Troop #845 in North Stafford, planned, financed, and constructed a 20’ x 12’ shed for their storage.

Nolan first assessed the Center’s need for a suitable Eagle project with Joe Hargrove, the Brisben Center’s Volunteer Coordinator.  After deciding on a bicycle shed, Nolan recruited 30 volunteers, including his father, to help with the planning and building.  Through yard sales and online sales of donated items, he raised over $4,000.  He also negotiated with the store manager of the Lowe’s on Rt. 610 in Stafford on the sale of building supplies at store cost. It took 495 man-hours to complete the project.  Nolan and his volunteers are quite proud of how it turned out.

“It is very, very solid and will last many years,” remarked Joe Hargrove with satisfaction, “and the bicycles will last longer, too.  Nolan has done an incredible job.”

Staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Center provides a safe and secure temporary residence for up to 80 women, children, and men at a time.  In addition to food and shelter, the Center provides intensive case management and other services that enable residents to resolve their crises and move back into housing.  Thanks to Nolan’s work in preserving their bike fleet and lessening maintenance requirements, the Center’s resources will go a little bit farther in delivering its mission.

Troop 447 Scores a “Triple Triple”

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On Jan. 5, 2019, Troop 447, Rockville, MD, held a rare quadruple Eagle Court of Honor for its four newest Eagle Scouts: Andrew T. Green, David E. Hinds, Jeremiah K. Whitney and Matthew S. King. These young men became Troop 447’s 136th, 137th, 138th and 139th Eagle Scouts since the troop was formed in 1950. Remarkably, each of them began their Eagle trail in the same den in Cub Scout Pack 928.

The event was truly remarkable in yet another way. It marked a “triple triple” for Troop 447. Andrew Green is the youngest of the three sons of Assistant Scoutmaster John and Sonya Green. Both of Andrew’s older brothers, Robert and William, became Eagle Scouts through Troop 447. Matthew King is the youngest of the three sons of Assistant Scoutmaster David and Helena King. Both of his older brothers, Joe and Noah, became Eagle Scouts through Troop 447. In attendance at the Court of Honor were Assistant Scoutmaster and Eagle Mentor Chuck and Sue Aubertin, parents of three sons, Michael, Gregory and Douglas, all of whom became Eagle Scouts through Troop 447. Three sets of three brothers from three 447 families, all Eagle Scouts — a “triple triple” for the troop.

The event was even more historic because it was multi-generational. “Mattie” King’s proud father, David King, Troop 447’s 36th Eagle Scout, administered the Eagle Charge during the ceremony. “I never thought, as a 16-year-old Eagle Scout in 1978, that I would have three sons and they would all become Eagles,” said Mr. King. Also in attendance was Mattie’s grandfather, David J. King, Sr., who was a member of Troop 447 in the 1950’s and an adult leader in the troop in the 1970’s. Mattie’s great grandfather, Albert T. King, was also a Troop 447 adult leader. Scoutmaster Steve Pirozzi and Master of Ceremonies and former Scoutmaster Charlie Griffiths presided over the Court held at the Rockville United Methodist Church, the chartered organization for both Troop 447 and Pack 928.

Photos courtesy of Chuck Aubertin, Cindy Griffiths, and John Green. 

Eagle Scout Neighbors

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Scouting is a family affair, no more so than on Permit and Society Courts in Herndon, VA, where ten boys grew up as friends and next-door neighbors, and where all became Eagle Scouts in Troop 1570, chartered to the Clearview Elementary School PTA in Herndon. Their Eagle boards of review span a fifteen-year period.

Through all their Scouting years, the Scouts’ five families shared not just boundaries to their yards but a deep bond that comes from a belief in the mission and value of Scouting. The Scouts’ parents were active through those all those years as registered leaders and participating parents in Pack 1570 and Troop 1570. Now the families are celebrating the notable accomplishments of their Scouts.

Tony Aiello is the audio/video engineering director for a prominent Bible church in Northern VA. Tony is responsible for the development, installation and maintenance of the critical infrastructure and support systems for multiple buildings. Tony has also started his own company providing audio/video support to the ministries of other churches around the DC area. Tony and his wife Christina live in Northern VA. Tony was Troop 1570’s 51st Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on October 30, 2003.

Dan Claff lives in Central NJ, where he works as a civil engineer for a major international engineering consulting firm. Dan earned a doctorate in engineering science at Oxford University. Dan was Troop 1570’s 52nd Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on October 30, 2003.

Science has always held a fascination for Matthew Feltz. Possessing a degree in integrated science and technology and a master’s degree in bioinformatics, Matt writes software to process complex biological data and glean important information for medical and scientific research. After several years working in the Washington DC area, Matthew and his wife Julie have recently relocated to the NC Research Triangle. Matt was Troop 1570’s 65th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on April 29, 2006.

Michael Aiello and his wife Cynthia live in a remote village in Northwestern Alaska. Michael serves as a deputy magistrate and law clerk. Michael earned his law degree at Regent University School of Law. Michael was Troop 1570’s 66th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on June 21, 2006.

Tim Feltz has his degree in international business and has been working in the international transport business for several years. He and his fiancee Brianna recently moved to Central NC. He enjoys hiking, camping, and the beach. Tim was Troop 1570’s 68th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on November 19, 2006.

Josh Feltz has a degree in horticulture. Josh enjoys working with all types of plants in an environmentally conscious manner. He has a special interest in promoting native plants, protecting pollinators, and planting trees. He has spent three years working in botanical gardens and is currently working for a plant service in Northern Virginia. Josh was Troop 1570’s 83rd Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on January 7, 2009.

Lucas Kane and his wife Sarah currently reside in Central KS. Lucas is in his final year of medical school and serving his hospital rotations. Lucas is seeking to practice family medicine. To date he has delivered or assisted in the delivery of fourteen babies! Lucas was Troop 1570’s 89th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on January 17, 2010.

This fall, Fletcher Phillips started student-teaching 8th grade civics for a Northern VA public school system. Fletcher will earn his master’s degree in education in May 2019. Fletcher was Troop 1570’s 107th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on October 20, 2013.

Tucker Phillips is a Junior at a Northern VA university, studying environmental science. Tucker also serves as a dormitory resident adviser. Tucker was Troop 1570’s 118th Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on September 28, 2016.

Spencer Phillips began college at a Richmond, VA area university this fall. Spencer plans to study filmmaking. Spencer was Troop 1570’s 123rd Eagle Scout, earning the Eagle rank on August 9, 2018.