• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
We Own Adventure

We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

  • Home
  • Newsletters
  • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Sport Adventures
  • Submit Your News
  • Be an Influencer!
  • Scouting America National Capital Area Council Main website

Exploring

Troop 1094 Conducts Cold Weather Training in Minnesota

May 11, 2025 by Marijke Hart

By Holden Pierce, Historian, Troop 1094

An image of the sunset at Northern Tier
[An image of the sunset taken by Ryan D., Life Scout of Troop 1094]
This past winter, Troop 1094 of Darnestown sent two full crews to Scouting America’s Northern Tier High Adventure Base in Ely, Minnesota to participate in a rugged cold weather high adventure experience. Scouting America has four national level high adventure bases in the United States where Scouts can excel in their outdoor skills while having a bunch of fun. In summer, the Northern Tier High Adventure Base allows Scouts the opportunity to conduct amazing canoeing treks in the boundary waters of Canada and upper Minnesota. In winter, the Northern Tier High Adventure Base allows Scouts the opportunity to participate in amazing cold weather activities during their “Okpik” (means Snowy Owl in the Inuit language) program in which Scouts learn how to thrive in subzero temperatures, travel across frozen wilderness lakes, and construct their own sleeping structures out of snow.

After flying into Minneapolis / St. Paul International Airport, the Troop 1094’s two crews then had a 5-hour bus ride north to Ely, which is right next to the Canadian border. Once we arrived at the Northern Tier High Adventure Base, we were busy from the very start. First, we were broken into two separate crews of 8 Scouts and three adults each and then introduced to our “Interpreters” (crew guides). We then conducted detailed planning for our cold-weather activities for the week and then got issued all of our cold weather gear before staying in cabins for the night. The next morning, our cold weather adventures began.

An image of our crew hiking across Flash Lake.
[An image of our crew hiking across Flash Lake taken by Matthew M., Life Scout of Troop 1094]
During our time in the wilderness, our two crews had an amazing time. Some of our awesome activities included snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, playing broom ball, and curling. Everywhere we went, each crew member had to pull their own sled with all their own gear along with some crew gear. Each night, our crews usually slept in established campsites right next to the edge of the lake, but one night, our crews actually slept out on the ice in the middle of the lake. That was really cool. None of us had ever done that before. During the trek, we never used tents. Instead, we built windbreak structures while sleeping under the stars. A windbreak structure is made out of snow and has four walls about three feet tall on all sides where the scouts sleep in the middle to keep the wind from hitting them.

While we were there, we all earned several cool awards. One of the awards was the Duty to God Patch. To earn that patch, we had to say the Northern Tier grace before every meal and hold a brief daily devotion. Another award that we earned was the Okpik Winter Trek Patch. To earn that patch, we had to camp out in the wilderness for at least two nights and hike at least seven miles.

I interviewed one of our Star Scouts, Ryan H., about his experience at Northern Tier, and he said: “The experience was a 10 out of 10 and many memories were made!” Overall, the Scouts and adults that went to the Northern Tier High Adventure Base this past winter had a great time and made many memories along the way.

During 2025, Troop 1094 will be participating in two more awesome high adventure trips. In June, our Troop is sending one crew back to Northern Tier in Minnesota to participate in a 10-day canoeing trek in the Canadian boundary waters. And in December, our Troop is sending a crew to Sea Base in Florida to participate in a 7-day Coral Reef sailing adventure. We love high adventure trips!

Filed Under: Adventure, Cover Stories, Featured Tagged With: adventure, Exploring, High Adventure, scouting, Scouts BSA

Innovation Academy: welding, 3d printing, coding, robotics

September 22, 2023 by NCAC STEM

We are excited to offer this workshop series for girls and boys ages 14+ to learn about welding, 3d printing, coding and robotics! This program is called Exploring with Innovation Academy, and takes place in Alexandria, VA at Building Momentum, a problem-solving organization with expertise in training people of all ages in fabrication and building technologies.  Learn more and register at: https://scoutingevent.com/082-innovation

 

Whom is this program for?

This is for individuals ages 14 – 21, with an interest in learning! You do not have to have experience in any of the fabrication technologies – Building Momentum’s educators are experts at teaching individuals at all skill levels. Do you like tactile activities? This is for you!

When?

  • This program will run every other Monday, 5pm – 8pm, beginning 10/23
  • The educational workshops are: 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, optional 12/18
  • Additonally should plan to attend any 5 community days to serve as volunteers and get the required experience with hands-on shop times. There are many weekend and no-school days to attend community days:
    2023: 11/3, 11/7, 11/11, 11/22, 11/24, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20
    2024: 1/15, 1/22, 2/11, 2/19, 3/18, 3/22, 3/25, 3/26, 3/27, 3/28, 3/29, 4/1, 4/2, 4/10, 5/3, 5/27, 6/7

Where?

Building Momentum | 5380 Eisenhower Ave Suite C, Alexandria, VA 22304

What will you learn?

Each of the 5 sessions will be focused on a specific area. Roughly speaking, the focus of October is welding, November is 3D printing and CAD, December is robotics/coding.

Exploring with Innovation Academy is a fun and hands-on program to learn many skills and explore future careers! This is our second semester of offering the program – please check out the experiences of our first cohort from this spring: Innovation Academy: building 3D printers in 3 hours – We Own Adventure

We hope to see you in the fall series!

Please reach out to stem@ncacbsa.org with questions or sign up for the program here.

Filed Under: Scouting Programs Tagged With: 3d printing, Exploring, robotics, STEM, welding

Exploring Advisor graduates from Citizens Police Academy!

September 3, 2023 by NCAC Exploring

Luz Diaz Villalobos has long been written about as an admirable youth in NCAC’s Exploring programs, and today, she continues to inspire with her accomplishments as a young adult.

Most recently, Diaz Villalobos graduated from the Prince George’s County Citizen’s Police Academy. This multi-month course educates civilians about the criminal justice system through interactive classes and facilitated discussion. Outside of this, Diaz Villalobos works as an Assistant Teacher at Estrellitas Montessori School DC, where the owner Marilyn Medrano says she is a special teacher. Diaz Villalobos also volunteers relentlessly as an Exploring Advisor for PGPD’s youth programs, and is always there for her younger siblings and community members. Amongst her many responsibilities, Diaz Villalobos kept the commitment to attend the regular CPA sessions, with determination to successfully complete the Academy.

On the final day, at a church in the county, Prince George’s County Chief of Police, Aziz Malik presented Diaz Villalobos with her award. Other dignitaries included Councilmember Jolene Ivey, whom Diaz Villalobos also thanks for her support. As soon as Diaz Villalobos’ name was announced, a crowd of over two dozen people erupted in cheers! Luz is accomplished, admirable and a truly beloved member of her community. In attendance were several officers from PGPD who have supported her to this day including Cpl. Black, Cpl. Lobin, Cpl. Ross, Sgt Jeffries, Captain Eboug, Captain Serpes and Lieutenant Dazzie. From Seat Pleasant, Officer Miller and Officer Bowers attended and from all across Prince George’s County came several younger Explorers to whom Diaz Villalobos now serves as a mentor. Though not pictured, a special mention also goes to Cpl. Hibbert who has always supported Diaz Villalobos too. Last but not least, a special shout out to Diaz Villalobos’ family for being present in this accomplishment!

Diaz Villalobos set precedent as the only Hispanic to graduate from the Prince George’s County Citizen Police Academy for Class 48! This is not the first time that Luz Diaz Villalobos set a record.

In her own words, we share her story of making history in Exploring.

“Upon my arrival to the United States, I set goals for myself and my future. I was determined to learn and flourish in school… While at William Wirt Middle School, I joined the soccer team starting one of my goals of being a scholar-athlete.
In 10th Grade, I learned about the Prince George’s County Police Explorers program, which focused on preparing student leaders for careers in Law Enforcement. While in 11th Grade, I joined the Explorers program in order to begin my goals of becoming a Police Cadet. Within one year of my time in the Explorers program, I have lead efforts to increase the program from 8 students to over 60 students! In addition, I have attended several conferences that have helped me develop my leadership skills as I set my focus on becoming a Police Officer.

Throughout my tenure in the Prince George’s County Explorers program, I have moved up in rank from a basic explorer to Lieutenant. In 2019, through a strenuous process of assessments and interviews, I was promoted to Explorer Captain. I am now the first female and first Hispanic to lead the post!

As I continue to achieve one of my goals of becoming an American citizen, I know that is the first step in achieving my ultimate goal of becoming a Police Officer!”

To learn more about PGPD’s Law Enforcement Exploring Program, please visit: www.pgpdexplorers.com

Filed Under: Leaders Tagged With: Exploring

Proud of our graduating Explorers!

June 7, 2023 by NCAC Exploring

Throughout the year, Prince George’s County Police Department operates a law enforcement Exploring program at six of their stations. Youth meet weekly for hands-on skills trainings on physical fitness, radios, traffic safety, and forensics; and they participate in regular community service activities.

The Explorer Posts support community events like National Night Out, Toys for Tots, Shop with a Cop, sporting events, and local fairs.

This month, we celebrate all the Explorers who are graduating – both from the program and their high schools!

Explorer Advisors Sgt Jeffries & Cpl Muse were on hand to support and congratulate Explorer A. Perry from Explorer Post 301 as he graduated from Fairmont Heights High School. Chief Aziz & all of the PGPD are proud of your achievement Explorer Perry!

 

 

Explorer Post 1111 celebrated their final post meeting for the 2022-2023 school year. Several Explorers were promoted in rank and a special dedication was given to Explorer Captain Villalobos. We are so proud of all the Explorers.

Last but not least, we are overjoyed to share that one former Explorer from PGPD Post 222 is going on to begin her police career with the Forest Heights Police Department.

 

Filed Under: Leaders Tagged With: careers, Exploring, graduation

Fingerprinting & Traffic Safety Merit Badges

April 10, 2023 by NCAC STEM

Montgomery County Police Department has been hosting a youth career development program, Exploring, for decades! Their Explorer Post 1986 is eager to lend a hand to the scouting community and will host 2 workshops teaching the Fingerprinting and Traffic Safety Merit Badges.

This event will take place on Saturday, April 29 at the Montgomery County Police Training Academy.

Schedule:

9:45AM Checkin

10AM Fingerprinting (15 youth)
11:15AM Traffic Safety (15 youth)
12:30PM Dismissal

Scouts BSA and same-age friends are welcome!

 

The Explorer Post Advisors are registered Merit Badge Counselors with NCAC, and will be able to sign blue cards for scouts who complete all requirements at the event.

The registration fee for the event is $22; this covers class materials for both merit badges and will go to support Explorer Post 1986. We hope to see you there!

Register here: Fingerprinting & Traffic Safety Merit Badges

 

Filed Under: Scouting Programs Tagged With: Exploring, Merit Badges

Explorers Staff 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting

December 24, 2022 by NCAC Exploring

The Montgomery County First Aid Unit, AKA Explorer Post 742, comprises of 50+ girl and boy Explorers who participate with Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad. The purpose of this Exploring First Aid Unit is to provide the youth of the surrounding area with the opportunity to learn about, and gain hands on experience in emergency care. The adult volunteer leaders of Wheaton provide training to the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) level (the level just before EMT), as well as leadership and team work training.

The youth then provide standby first aid coverage to private and public events in Montgomery County, MD, Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area. Most recently and notably, Exploring Post 742 staffed the 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting. This event took place on the Ellipse in President’s Park on November 30th.

There is a youth command structure in place, consisting of an Officer’s Committee made up of a Captain (the youth head of the group), one 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenants and Sergeants. The officers are responsible for planning meetings, trainings (both recruit training and ongoing refresher training), maintaining supplies and equipment, planning group activities and organizing staffing for standby events. The Captain is responsible for making sure all this work is completed and maintaining coordination and communication between the members of the Officer’s Committee, and the Unit’s adult advisors.

When the Unit sets up a first aid station at an event, the youth officers are in charge of the station and the care provided to the attendees of the event. While there is always an adult advisor present in the station, the officers handle station operations and treat the patients unless adult assistance is needed.

The events for which Explorer Post 742 provide coverage range from small 5K runs, to 50-4,000 person company picnics at Smokey Glen Farm in Gaithersburg, all the way to 250,000 – 1.8 million person events on the National Mall. Working with the National Park Service, we routinely provide coverage to the 4th of July festivities on the Mall, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the White House Easter Egg Roll, the National Christmas Tree Lighting and the Presidential Inaugurations.

All photos in this article belong to Montgomery County, Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department’s Post 742 and show past events and trainings of the Explorers. For more information about the Exploring Post, please see: The Montgomery County First Aid Unit, Explorer Post 742 | Facebook

Filed Under: Adventure Tagged With: Explorers, Exploring

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

NCAC Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Latest Issue

TSD Summer '18 is on Issuu

Archives

  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

You Might Also Like…

  • Director David Henrie Invites NCAC to Digital Movie Premiere

    August 26, 2020

  • Missing Summer Day Camp or Resident Camp?

    June 25, 2020

  • Microscope + Camping = FUN !!!

    June 15, 2020

  • Family – Fun – Flag – FOURTH!

    June 14, 2020

  • Guidance on Resuming In-Person Scouting Activities

    June 12, 2020

  • NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award for Unit Scouters!

    May 29, 2020

  • Introducing the NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award!

    May 11, 2020

  • NCAC Response to COVID-19

    April 4, 2020

  • Scouting At Home Challenge!

    March 19, 2020

  • Scout Service Center Closing

    March 17, 2020

  • Help Celebrate NCAC Camping Centennial at Camp Snyder’s Work Days for All

    March 5, 2020

  • General David L. Goldfein Receives the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

    February 25, 2020

  • TUSKEGEE AIRMAN RECEIVES NCAC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

    February 14, 2020

  • Troop 1094 Conducts Cold Weather Training in Minnesota

    May 11, 2025

  • Innovation Academy: welding, 3d printing, coding, robotics

    September 22, 2023

  • Exploring Advisor graduates from Citizens Police Academy!

    September 3, 2023

  • Proud of our graduating Explorers!

    June 7, 2023

Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Elk on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in