We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Goshen Scout Reservation

Awesomeness Wanted: Camp Staff 2021

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Do you like camping and the outdoors? Do you miss camp? So do we! Join our awesome group of camp staff and work at one of the coolest summer jobs you could ever have!

Ready to Sa-TURN a Cub Scout’s summer into something stellar? Apply to work at Camp Snyder, where the 2021 Camp Theme – A Space Adventure – is carried through archery, nature, crafts, swimming, boating, and all camp activities as Cub Scouts and their leaders have fun outdoors.

Want to escape to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains for the summer? Apply to work at one of seven Goshen Scout Reservation Camps! Join our energetic and goofy staff at our Webelos Camps – Camp PMI and Camp Ross. Want to teach your favorite Merit Badge? Choose one of our three Scouts BSA/Venturing camps – Camp Bowman, Camp Olmsted, or Camp Marriott. Looking for adventure? Become part of our elite staff at Lenhok’sin High Adventure Base. Want to support camps in retail or in emergency medicine? Our administration camp – Camp Post – might be the place for you.

Staff must be 15 years or older to be an instructor and 16 or older to work at Goshen’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Not yet 15? If you’re 14, you can be a Counselor-in-Training at any of our Cub Scout, Webelos, or Scouts BSA/Venturing Resident Camps. We’re also on the lookout for those 18 years of age or older to take on leadership positions.

Have friends or family that love the outdoors, but aren’t in Scouting? Tell them about it! Prior experience with the Boy Scouts of America is not required.

Employment dates are from June 12 to August 3, 2021 for Goshen Camps and June 21 to July 30, 2021 for Camp Snyder.

We’re coming up on hiring season! Interviews, via phone or video call, start January 2. Submit your application by January 19th to get a January interview date.

Apply online and get more information on our websites. Visit www.gotogoshen.org/staff for Goshen Camps and www.gotosnyder.org/work for Camp Snyder.

Goshen 2021: Save the Dates

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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

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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

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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!

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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!