We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

family campout

Troop 496 Holds Virtual New Scout Campout

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Traditionally, Troop 496’s campout for April is the New Scout campout. At this campout, we welcome the Webelos scouts that have crossed over to the troop. We also introduce the new scouts to several Scout and Tenderfoot rank requirements. Requirements include:

  • What the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan are and what they mean
  • What is the Scout leadership hierarchy
  • A explanation of the Patrol method
  • Demonstration of how to tie the square knot, two half-hitches, and the taut-line hitch
  • What should be in a personal first aid kit
  • A list of equipment and clothes needed for a campout
  •  How to pitch a tent

Because of the COVID pandemic and state and BSA rules that do not allow large gatherings, a campout was not an option this year. In order to support the new Scouts as they begin their BSA Scouting careers, Troop 496 held a virtual campout using Zoom. Ten new boys, representing the Trolls patrol, participated in this campout. Troop 496 was honored to have four girls, representing the Artemis patrol, join the campout this year. These girls will be the core of the new BSA Girls Troop forming here in Poolesville.

The campout was led by the Troop SPL, Zach Ransom. The SPL was assisted by several older Scouts covering 10 different requirements. After the on-line portion of the campout, several of the Scouts took on the challenge to pitch a tent in their back yard and then spend the night in the tent that they pitched. The next day, the participants again met on Zoom to participate in a “Roses, Buds, and Thorns” exercise.

Troop 13 Virtual Family Campout

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After their first month of virtual troop meeting, and a scheduled campout on the way, Senor Patrol Leader Connor Gephart saw the opportunity to maintain troop spirit and believed Troop 13 was ready to take their virtual meeting experience to the campground. That Saturday morning, April 18th, wouldn’t see the usual start of the Troop 13 family campout. Instead of gathering at the Church of the Good Shepherd, and preparing to drive off to the beach, scouts and their families gathered in their living rooms with camping equipment in hand.


Members of the troop and their families set up tents in their yards, played games, went for hikes and explored local trails, built fires, and worked on rank advancement requirements. Including a Patrol Leader meeting virtually with one of his patrol members.


The Scouts and their family fixed dinner outside enjoying the afternoon spring sunshine, when around 8pm with family campfires burning and the sun setting the members of Troop 13 gather both around their own campfires and digital devices to join zoom and share their adventures from the day, just as thousands of Scouts have done for over 100 years before them. The Senior Patrol Leader lead the discussion asking the Scout about their adventures that the day had brought, and as the campfire was winding down Scouts participated in Thorns and Roses, where many thorns were about not being together and enjoying the fun of camping in the woods as a Troop.


After the Senior Patrol Leader closed the campfire Scouts and their families retired to their tents to conclude the Troop 13 annual family campout.