We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Eagle Scout

Eagle BOR Extension for Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts

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Eagle Scout Rank Badge
These are historic times for our Movement. The coronavirus pandemic is having a direct impact in many Scouts’ ability to continue on their trail to Eagle – especially having completed all their requirements prior to the boards of review that are to be held from 10/1-31/2020.

Because we want all girls who joined in 2019 and wish to be a part of the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts to have the benefit of such an experience, and after carefully considering recommendations from stakeholders, including feedback from volunteers and professionals, we will be extending the period for boards of review from 10/1/2020-1/31/2021. To further support the Inaugural Class, all boards of review will be dated with the same date by the National Service Center.

While this notice discusses the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts, the lengthening of the Eagle board of review window is applicable to all Scouts who were granted the Inaugural extension, regardless of gender.

As a reminder, all requirements must be completed while the individual is a registered member of Scouts BSA, or as a member of a Venturing crew or a Sea Scouts ship after achieving First Class in Scouts BSA, per the Guide to Advancement.

Troop 160 of Chantilly, VA Hatches 200 Eagle Scouts in 34 years

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On March 11, Fairfax County’s Troop 160 awarded Ryan Tully of Chantilly the rank of Eagle Scout. He is the 200th Scout to reach the rank of Eagle Scout in the Troop’s 34-year history.

The event was held at the Troop’s regular weekly meeting at Franklin Middle School in Chantilly, VA. The Troop has been sponsored by the Franklin Middle School PTA sine 1986. Currently, Troop 160 has 104 Scouts and is 1 of 652 Boy Scout Troops in the National Capital Area Council.

“We don’t know how many other Troops in the National Capital Area or across the country have reached the milestone of 200 Eagle scouts, but it’s not a lot,” says John Wolsborn, Troop 160 Committee Chair and adult leader. “We spend a great deal of time on both fun and high adventure activities. But we’re always focused on achievement in the Troop. We try to do all we can to help scouts become Eagles. We’re equally proud of Ryan and the 199 scouts who came before him.”

To commemorate this milestone, Troop 160’s first Eagle Scout, Chip Free, attended the event and spoke to attendees about his experiences as a member of the Troop and earning the rank of Eagle. Free earned his Eagle Scout award in 1987 and is now a Scoutmaster of Troop 503 in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Free says “I was honored to participate in Ryan’s Eagle review and ceremony. It was great to see how active and robust the troop is, as they continue to guide boys on the path to becoming Eagle Scouts.”

Also in attendance were a large number of current and former Scoutmasters, as well as a number of other Eagle Scout alumni.

Over 34 years, Troop 160 Scouts have led a wide variety of Eagle project efforts, including: construction/building projects for numerous area schools, churches and other community organizations; food, blood and other drives for food banks, homeless shelters; as well as other types of community service projects. Tully’s Eagle Scout project in 2019 was building a long wooden walkway through marshland for the Bluebell Trail at Manassas Regional Park. Free’s Eagle project in 1987 was building an outdoor classroom for Franklin Middle School.

District Scout Executive Todd Bolick says “I am proud to see the outstanding 34 year legacy of Troop 160 continuing from its first Eagle Scout in 1987 to the Troop’s 200th Eagle Scout in 2020. This Troop and the Franklin Middle School PTA have assisted their community by providing the Scouting program for generations. Here’s to seeing the next generation of Eagle Scouts continuing that legacy and providing countless hours of service and leadership!”

General David L. Goldfein Receives the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

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The D.C. chapter of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) was proud to present the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award to Gen. David L. Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, yesterday evening at the Air Force Association in Arlington, VA.

The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is the National Eagle Scout Association’s highest recognition. The Award was established to recognize Eagle Scouts who, after 25 years or longer of having received the Eagle Scout Award, have reached the highest national level of success in their field. In addition, these recipients have demonstrated a strong record of volunteer leadership service to their community.

Many gathered in celebration of Gen. Goldfein’s accomplishment including the Honorable Barbara Barrett, Distinguished Eagle Scouts: Brigadier General Charles McGee, Michael Pocalyko, and Bray Barnes as well National Capital Area Council, BSA Cub Scouts Liam Finley of Pack 1101 and Caden Coffee of Pack 1344.

Goldfein left the Scouts with sound advice and continued a military tradition gifting them a Challenge Coin, challenging the young Scouts to pursue Eagle rank.  Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, also graciously awarded Gen. Goldfein with picture of an Eagle, along with a picture of the two.

This award ceremony brought together civic-minded individuals and constituents from throughout the DMV community in an event that recognizes and celebrates the importance of Scouting in guiding and developing youth from generation to generation.

To learn more about the National Eagle Scout Association please visit https://nesa.org/ or https://www.ncacbsa.org/about-ncac/nesa/.

TUSKEGEE AIRMAN RECEIVES NCAC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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Troop 96 of the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) today honored retired Air Force Brigadier General Charles McGee with its Lifetime Achievement award. The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at his home in Bethesda, MD, was established in 2013 and is given in recognition of individuals whose accomplishments embody the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law.

General McGee stated, “If more people lived their lives by the Scout Oath and Law, the world would be a lot better off.”

As an active member of Boy Scouts in his youth, McGee earned the title of Distinguished Eagle Scout and received the Silver Beaver award for his outstanding service. The veteran continued to display his leadership capabilities throughout his 30-year military career, earning numerous decorations from the Bronze Star to the Hellenic Republic WWII Commemorative Medal. Most recently, McGee received the honorary promotion to Brigadier General in December 2019, which was announced last week during President Trump’s State of the Union address. The 100-year old Brigadier General McGee has had a busy couple of weeks – from his appearance presiding over the coin toss at Superbowl LIV to being recognized at the State of the Union address to a book signing ceremony this past Saturday at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum celebrating Black History month, where he was featured as part of its African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space program.

“We are extremely proud to recognize retired Brigadier General Charles McGee for his tremendous accomplishments on behalf of this nation and in the world of Scouting,” said Scout Executive Craig Poland. “Brigadier General McGee not only meets the criteria for this selective award – he more than surpasses it. The values embodied in Scouting are reflected in his daily life and work.”

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Born in Cleveland in 1919, McGee enlisted in the Army on October 26, 1942. Upon earning his pilot’s wings, McGee joined the Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African American military pilots in the Armed Forces. During his extensive military career, he accumulated over 6,300 total hours, flew tactical missions attacking enemy airfields, and took part in top-secret rescue missions. In 2011, McGee was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.

McGee, a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Military Order of World Wars, and the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., now spends his time sharing his life experiences by speaking in support of the Black Heritage and Youth Career motivation programs.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given in recognition of a person’s noteworthy personal and/or professional accomplishments, his dedication to America and because he lives the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law. Past recipients of this award include Bill Marriott Jr., former Gov. Haley Barbour, Thomas J. Donohue, Jacob Stein and Michael Daniels.

Check Out This Inspiring Eagle Scout!

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Meet Noah Harmon, an animal lover with a passion for his religion. For Noah’s Eagle project, he built an entire rosary garden for the St. Jude Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, VA. This huge task took Noah and his team of 62 volunteers almost six months to complete! The first steps of his project was the fundraising.

Noah raised $3,291.13 from selling mulch, popcorn, having two car washes, and from receiving several private donations. With the help of all his fundraising, Noah began his task of leading the physical labor. He had to dig about six inches into the ground and get rid of the many roots in the area. After clearing the area completely, Noah created the cement path, making religious shapes and phrases in a circle around the garden space.

The rosary garden included a large statue, several benches and a great deal of plants which were donated to Noah’s project. In a total of 345.5 hours, Noah and his team successfully built his rosary garden. Noah found that by “having confidence in [himself], and working hard,” he was able to create a beautiful, livable space for the church to enjoy.

Ashburn’s Troop 58 Carries the Olympic Torch!

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With the lighting of the Olympic flame, Troop 58’s 2019 Patrol Challenge campout was opened at the Northern Virginia Lions Youth Camp in Boyce, VA! Twenty-nine Scouts in four patrols participated in several Scout skills-based challenges throughout the weekend of Oct 25-27.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Patrol-Challenge-1-1-150x150-1.jpgIn past years, our Patrol Challenge outing has had a Scottish Highland Games or other exotic theme; the challenges this year were based on the Olympic Games including long jump, relay race, shot put, volleyball and soccer. Additional challenges included best dinner/dessert, best campfire skit/song, highest patrol attendance and patrol wearing the most togas! All challenges were scored by the PLC and this year’s winning patrol – the Eagles – had its name inscribed on the back of Troop 58’s totem (affectionately known as “Jim”).

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Patrol-Challenge-2-2-150x150-1.jpgThe Eagles Patrol have also earned bragging rights for a full year until the 2020 Patrol Challenge campout! Additional excitement over the weekend included a bear sighting in the early evening Saturday as the Scouts were preparing dinner. This gave the Scouts an opportunity to review bear safety including locking up all food, trash and anything else scented and to be sure to follow the buddy system very closely. The Patrol Challenge Campout is always well attended and is one of the troop’s favorite outings.