Goshen Scout Reservation

Goshen 2021: Save the Dates

August 11, 2020 by Goshen Scout Reservation

Save the dates for Summer Camp 2021 at Goshen Scout Reservation!

Next summer, we’ll be offering five weeks of summer camp at all our Webelos and Scouts BSA/Venturing resident camps and four weeks of backpacking program and river trekking program at Lenhok’sin High Adventure.

Week 1: June 27 – July 3, 2021
Week 2: July 4 – July 10, 2021
Week 3: July 11 – July 17, 2021
Week 4: July 18 – July 24, 2021
Week 5: July 25 – July 31, 2021

Unit registration opens September 8th. Mark your calendars!

Due to COVID-19, all Goshen camps will be in deposit phase until March 1, 2021. To reserve your unit’s spot, you’ll need to register and pay for one youth. Spaces for your unit will be reserved based on the number of spots you request during registration. Beginning March 1, units will be able to add and pay for their other youth and adult campers. Provisional scouts – individual Scouts BSA and Venturers (not Webelos) attending without their unit as part of the Provisional Camp program – will also be able to sign up beginning March 1, 2021.

Learn more about Goshen’s Webelos camps, Scouts BSA/Venturing camps, Lenhok’sin High Adventure, the Provisional Camp program, and Summer Camp 2021 at www.gotogoshen.org.

Pack 835 Den 7 Does Homecamping 2020

July 23, 2020 by Kelly Carniol

When Webelos Resident Camp was cancelled due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, Pack 835 Den 7 had some very disappointed newly-minted Webelos. Then NCAC and Goshen Scout Reservation announced Homecamping 2020. The Den leaders knew this would be a great opportunity for all of our Cub Scouts to keep them engaged and learning over the summer. Soon, a plan was hatched to host the 5 boys in a single location with both Den leaders present.
We knew the 5 families involved were taking precautions and social distancing as we discussed our options with each family. The Assistant Den Leader’s home was chosen. We cleaned out a room and turned it into Webelos Central! With a bathroom on the main floor and a kiddie pool in the backyard, we were all set! Each Webelos brought their own lunch, snacks, and water bottle for the day. Different families donated disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, and Lysol spray to help keep the meeting place clean and safe … not only for the Webelos, but for the hosting family as well.

Each family registered their Webelos for the Homecamping 2020 sessions. On July 6th, we welcomed each Webelos to Homecamping with a camp shirt designed by one of the moms and their own bucket to keep their camp supplies. In accordance with NCAC guidance, the Den leaders took everyone’s temperature before entering the home and each Scout washed their hands. Each parent was asked the NCAC guidance questions and provided emergency information for their Scout.

At the beginning of each day, the Webelos recited the Scout Oath, Scout Law and the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, it was time for the fun to begin. With the Webelos gathered around the table, they watched and participated in each session on both a computer and iPad. Once the online sessions were completed, the Den leaders worked with the Scouts to answer any questions or sent them outside to get out some energy before the next session.

During lunch breaks, the Webelos ate lunch outside, hiked around the local trails and neighborhoods, swam in the kiddie pool, and planned campout meals.

Over the course of a single week, these Webelos earned their first 3 pins and completed requirements towards several more! They even helped their families by preparing dinner and dessert! They had a great time, were exhausted at the end of day, and stunk … just as if they had been at Resident Camp!

I think one of the Webelos said it best when his mom said “You know you’re going to see them again, right?” and he replied “I know mom, but it’s not the same on Zoom.”

The Chris Lantos Waterfront

June 9, 2020 by Aaron Chusid

The waterfront at Camp Bowman-Goshen Scout Reservation was named in memory of Boy Scout Chris Lantos in 2014.

Chris was born on September 29, 2000. He was an avid Boy Scout camper who visited Goshen three consecutive summers in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

He loved exploring nature, swimming in the lake and roasting smores by the campfire with his Scout buddies in the evenings.

In 2012 Chris was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in 2013.

In his memory, his parents supported the Boy Scouts and named the waterfront at Goshen Scout Reservation after Chris. They also established the Chris Lantos Foundation to help kids with cancer to benefit other youth experiencing childhood Leukemia. (ChrisLantosFoundation.org)

This is a great example of how to create a legacy within Scouting for someone you love or yourself in the future so that Scouts for many generations can continue to have amazing experiences like Chris.

For more information about creating your Legacy, please contact Jenna Welle at Jenna.Welle@scouting.org.

Early Bird Extension for Summer Camp!

April 2, 2020 by Aaron Chusid

Plans are still on for summer camp, because we’re all going to need some extra time outside this summer! Planning that far out is difficult right now for many families so to give you more time to decide National Capital Area Council is extending the Early Bird signup period for all of our camps through April 30, 2020!

Check out our 2020 Summer Camp Guide for info about all our programs, then find your favorite below and reserve your tent!

Day Camp

NCAC offers about 20 local day camps every summer so that every Scout has one nearby. Each camp’s program is a little different, but each offers some combination of the all-time favorite Scout camp activities; things like BB guns, archery, sling shots, arts and crafts, nature, field sports, fishing, and aquatics.

This year’s Day Camp theme is On The Farm, so get ready for a barn-raising, sheep-herding, egg-hatching good time! To find a camp near you and sign up, go to gotodaycamp.org!

Go To Day Camp

Camp William B. Snyder

The closest Scout Camp to Washington, D.C., Camp Snyder will have a variety of programs for Packs to enjoy this summer, including day camp, weekend Cub Scout camps, STEM programs, and full-week programs for Cub Scouts and Webelos!

This year’s camp will be truly out of this world a Cub Scouts go on an astronaut adventure! Learn more and sign up at gotosnyder.org

Go To Camp Snyder

Goshen Scout Reservation

Goshen offers programs for Scouts BSA, Webelos, and Venturers on the shores of beautiful Lake Merriweather. With three Scout camps, two Webelos camps, and the Lenhok’sin High Adventure Base, there is an adventure waiting for you this summer that will thrill and challenge you.

To keep in line with the extension of the early bird dates, merit badge registration has also been delayed until May 1, 2020. We hope that will give your Scouts more time to make their plans for the summer. To learn more, get important updates, and register for Goshen, please click gotogoshen.org.

Go To Goshen

Refund Policy

One question many leaders have is what will happen if the COVID-19 pandemic requires us to cancel summer camp. Please assure your families that if camp is cancelled by NCAC they will receive a 100% refund. We hope this will give your families the chance to make their plans without worrying about the financial risks.

Further updates about our plans for summer 2020 will be coming as the situation develops. Until then, stay home, wash your hands, and keep on #ScoutingAtHome!

Meet your 2020 Goshen Camp Directors!

February 4, 2020 by Goshen Scout Reservation

We are pleased to announce the team of Camp Directors for Goshen Scout Reservation 2020! If you ever have any questions about camp or the programs we provide, please visit www.GoToGoshen.org to get in touch with your camp director.

Phil Barbash, Goshen Scout Reservation Director

Phil is excited to begin his 18th summer working on staff at Goshen Scout Reservation. It will also be his 5th year as the Director of Operations. Beforehand, he worked 10 summers at Camp Bowman, with the last three as the Camp Director. He has served in various positions including Ecology Instructor, First Year Camper Director, and Camp Commissioner. He currently serves as NCAC’s Director of Camping with oversight over Goshen, Camp Snyder, Camp Airy, and Camp Wall.

Carl Trocki, Camp Bowman Director

This will be Carl’s 19th summer as a Goshen staff member, and 14th summer at Camp Bowman. Carl has experience in many different areas of camp, including: Camp Director at Bowman and Lenhok’sin, a myriad of program staff positions and even as an NCAC District Executive. When not at Goshen, Carl lives in Australia, working as a high school teacher/administrator/outdoor educator, and runs a successful watersports business at the beach. Carl is excited to return to Bowman as Camp Director for another summer, and hopes to help maintain the many traditions which have made Camp Bowman such a powerful and positive influence on so many young people.

Chris Warner, Camp Marriott Director

Chris is going on his tenth year working at Goshen. He started coming as a scout to Camp Bowman in 2008. He worked on staff at Bowman in Scoutcraft, Aquatics, and Facilities. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2015. Chris is very excited to be continuing the tremendous program that Camp Marriott offers. In the months outside of summer camp, he attends the Business school at Salisbury University.

Tom Van Patten, Camp Olmsted Director

This summer will be Tom’s 9th year on the Goshen staff and his first at Camp Olmsted! Tom previously worked at Camp Bowman as the Program Director. He also worked in several areas including Nature and Scoutcraft. He has also served on the National Camping School Ecology staff. Outside of Scouting, Tom is a recent graduate of Lycoming College and an avid birder. He resides in Montgomery County, MD and works as a cabinetmaker. Working with scouts is a deeply gratifying experience for Tom and he looks forward to positively impacting the lives of young people this summer through the methods of Scouting.

Michael Filmonchik, Camp PMI Director

This will be Michael’s 4th summer at Goshen Scout Reservation and his first as Camp Director. He has worked in areas such as scoutcraft and shooting sports and is excited to be PMI’s Camp Director this summer. He loves Goshen Scout Reservation and values the everlasting experience it provides to scouts. When Michael is not at Goshen he is enrolled in the Masters of Teaching program at VCU. Michael attended PMI as a scout and is very excited to continue the legacy that made him fall in love with Scouting.

Richard Holtslander, Camp Ross Director

Richard attended Ross as a scout, and joined the Camp Ross Staff as early as he could. Since Richard’s first Summer in 2011 he has worked in various positions at camp, learning what it means to be part of the Ross Staff. This will be Richard’s tenth Summer working at Ross and first Summer as Camp Director. When Richard is not at camp he attends Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and is studying for a Bachelors in Mathematics with a Minor in Environmental Science. Richard is excited for the new challenges the position will bring, and is looking forward to working with Scouts to have a great Summer and introduction to Scouting!

Griffin Linehan, Lenhok’sin High Adventure Director

This will be Griff’s 3rd year at Lenhok’sin. He has worked at BSA camps of all sorts since he was 13 years old. He has specifically worked at a lot of trek based camps and interpretive camps in leadership roles. Outside of camp, Griff teaches seventh grade enriched science. He is currently working on his Doctorate for Educational Policy, Measurement, & Evaluation. He is looking forward to working hard with the staff and providing a quality program this summer.

Learn more about our two Webelos Camps, three Scouts BSA & Venturing Camps, and Lenhok’sin High Adventure and all the adventures they have to offer on our website at www.gotogoshen.org.

Help NCAC Celebrate 100 Years of Camping!

January 30, 2020 by Craig Weston

The Council celebration of 100 years of NCAC summer camps is well underway, as we continue to celebrate the opening of Camp Roosevelt on the Maryland western shore as our first council summer camp in 1919!

To honor the long history of summer camping in the Council and to highlight the importance of the outdoors to the growth and development of Scouts, throughout 2020 we are encouraging Families, Webelos, Scouts, Venturers, Explorers and Sea Scouts to get involved by attending a camp (or cruise) overnight —- for a weekend or for a week (or two) at one of our summer camps!

Here’s what happening in the coming weeks:

Districts can hand out the free Camping Centennial Logo patch to those who attend the District Klondike Derby or Winter Camporee. Contact your District Executive before the event.
New to Scouting or camping and want to learn what gear you need and where to go? Sign up for Course ELC135 “Camping Opportunities in the NCAC” at the University of Scouting on February 29th.
Also, at the University of Scouting, take a walk-through history! Stop by the midway area to view displays of rare council camping memorabilia dating back over the past century.

Visit gotogoshen.org/summercamp or gotosnyder.com/summercamp and register today!

Stay tuned to WeOwnAdventure to learn about future special events and commemorative merchandise.