We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

High Adventure

Summer Camp Planning: Introduction to Lenhok’sin High Adventure at Goshen Scout Reservation

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Summer camp is often described as the pinnacle of the Scouting year. High adventure is one of the pinnacles of the Scouting experience. Tune in to learn about our local high adventure, the types of experiences, and how to plan for your unit’s trek. Lenhok’sin High Adventure is your local high adventure base at the Goshen Scout Reservation, offering weeklong trek programs. Units can choose the Trail Trek with backpacking and adventure activities or the River Trek with whitewater canoeing on the James River. Leaders from Troops, Crews, and Ships can experience an east coast adventure with their unit and even prepare for a future experience at one of Scouting America’s National High Adventure Bases, like Philmont or Northern Tier.

Watch the recording:

You can also download the slides from the webinar here: /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Introduction-to-Lenhoksin-High-Adventure-Webinar_10-27-2025.pdf [PDF]

Looking for more resources, information, or registration links? Visit www.gotogoshen.org/lenhoksin

Troop 1094 Conducts Cold Weather Training in Minnesota

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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!

NCAC 2024 Summer Camp Webinar: High Adventure

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March 27, 2024: High Adventure

Missed the webinar? You can view a recording of it below.

In this webinar, we give units planning for Summer 2024 and future summers an overview of Lenhok’sin High Adventure as well as the NCAC High Adventure Committee sponsored trips to Lenhok’sin, the National High Adventure bases, and other adventures.

Download the slides from the webinar here: High Adventure Presentation slides [PDF]

Get more information on the various high adventure opportunities:

If you missed our earlier webinars in the 2024 series, you can find the Cub Scout Summer Camp options here: weownadventure.com/ncac-2024-summer-camp-webinar-cub-scouts/ and the Scouts BSA Summer Camp options here: weownadventure.com/ncac-2024-summer-camp-webinar-scouts-bsa/

Upcoming Webinar Series: Summer Camp 2024

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Join the staff of the NCAC Summer Camps and Programs for information webinars as you prepare for Summer Camp 2024. These webinars are a great orientation for new leaders, for units going to a camp that is new to them, or for returning leaders that want the latest update. There will be representation from Goshen Scout Reservation, Camp Snyder, District Day and Twilight Camps, Camp Catoctin BSA, and the NCAC High Adventure Committee’s contingents. Choose your summer adventure in 2024!

Webinars will begin at 7pm EDT.

March 13: Cub Scout Camps

Get the details on day camp and overnight camps for rising Tigers through rising Arrow of Light Scouts at Camp Snyder, Goshen’s Camp Ross, and District Day and Twilight Camps.

Register in advance: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Bzn-KlBWSZyvQ9laIPXFcw

March 20: Scouts BSA Camps

Get information about programs for both Troops and individuals at Goshen’s Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted; Goshen’s Provisional Camp program; Camp Snyder’s Specialty Weeks; and Camp Catoctin BSA.

Register in advance: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TukBbZKIRDutbMKudN8HTA

March 27: High Adventure

Looking for adventure? Get the information for Summer 2024 on trail and river treks at Goshen’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure and the trips to National High Adventure bases and more run by the High Adventure Committee.

Register in advance: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EUrauVjqS7yC9z-D1HXkAg

2024 NCAC Summer Camp Guide Now Available

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With the weather getting chilly, we can think fondly of summer camp and get excited for Summer 2024! Check out the 2024 NCAC Summer Camp Guide, available online.

www.ncacbsa.org/campguide

Find prices, dates, and details on all the National Capital Area Council Summer Camps for Summer 2024!

cub scout logo

Cub Scouts

Is your Scout going to be a rising Tiger, rising Wolf, Rising Bear, or rising Webelos or Arrow of Light? Find the Cub Scout Camp that’s right for your Scout!

Choose a local District Day and Twilight Camp for a wild time with the 2024 theme: Jungle Adventure.

Discover your powers and save the day at Camp William B. Snyder with the 2024 theme: Superheroes. Attend a Day Camp, stay overnight on a Resident Weekend, or join the staff for a special Family 4th of July Weekend.

Are your rising Webelos and AOL dens looking for a weeklong adventure? Camp Ross is Goshen Scout Reservation’s dedicated overnight camp. The theme this summer is Indiana Ross. Avoid traps, find clues, and fool villains in an adventurous week!

Scouts BSA

There are plenty of options for Scouts BSA – whether they have been in the Troop for a while or are going to be bridging in next spring. There are camps for both units and individuals.

Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted at Goshen Scout Reservation offer a variety of dining options, unique and favorite Merit Badges and activities, and exciting programs for new Scouts, older Scouts, and all the Scouts in between.

Finish out your summer with Camp Catoctin BSA’s expert Merit Badge counselors in mid-August.

Is your Scout not able to attend camp with their Troop? Are they looking for a second week? Check out our options for individual scouts! Goshen runs Provisional Camp each week and Camp Snyder has two different Scout Specialty Weeks with both overnight and day camp options.

Older Scouts, Venturers, & Sea Scouts

Need more adventure for older Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts? Sign your unit up for a backpacking & adventure activity trek or a river canoe trek at Goshen’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure.

Individuals can find adventure with a High Adventure Base Trip to Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base, and Lenhok’sin High Adventure with a council contingent run by the NCAC High Adventure Committee.

Order of the Arrow members should also check out GOAT, the Goshen Order of the Arrow Trail Crew, involving cheerful service on trail maintenance and a classic Lenhok’sin backpacking and activity trek at a reduced rate.

Those ages 14 and up who just cannot get enough summer camp should submit an application to join Summer Camp staff! Interviews will begin in January for the Summer 2024 season.

Be sure to check out the online 2024 NCAC Summer Camp Guide for all the details  and pictures of the possibilities for your summer! Get outdoors, have fun, and find your next summer adventure!

Visit the Summer Adventure page for information on all these camp options!

Upcoming Events at NCAC Camps

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Looking for fun activities to fill those fall weekends? Mark your calendar for a weekend of family fun, service to your favorite camp, or training.

Fall Family Camps at Camp Snyder

Weekend I: October 20-22, 2023
Weekend II: November 17-19,2023
Sign up for a weekend of fall fun for all ages! Shoot BBs or arrows, climb the Scouterhorn climbing tower, create your own handicraft, build something in the Woodshop, or participate in many other hands-on activities.

More information and registration can be found here: www.gotosnyder.org/year-round-events/cub-scout-expo/

Volunteer Work Weekend at Goshen Scout Reservation

September 22-24, 2023
Units and volunteers are invited for a fall work weekend to assist in camp beautification! Open to members of the scouting community, participants will assist in painting, brush clearing, and other beautification tasks.

More information and registration can be found here: www.gotogoshen.org/vww

GSAA Service Weekend at Goshen Scout Reservation

October 13-15, 2023
Goshen Scout Reservation Staff Alumni are invited by the Goshen Staff Alumni Association (GSAA) for a fall work weekend! Open to staff alumni from any Goshen camp and any friends or family who want to help out, ages 18 and up. We’ll be fixing, painting, building, maintaining, and doing other such work on many projects around the Reservation. Meet other staff alumni new and old, spend some time at Goshen, and help us prepare for the next season of summer camp!

More information and registration can be found here: www.gotogoshen.org/gsaasw

Spooktakular Fall Festival at Camp William B. Snyder

October 27-29, 2023
Join us for a frightfully fun weekend at our Spooktacular Fall Festival. Go on a hayride, take part in the Zombie Run, shoot arrows at Archery, explore some STEM activities, and celebrate fall with food and crafts.

More information and registration can be found here: scoutingevent.com/082-70773

Other Events

Sawdust Saturdays

Support Camp William B. Snyder’s summer and year-round programs by volunteering! Service days run from 9am to 1pm and projects include carpentry and painting among others. Learn more at www.gotosnyder.org/work-volunteer/service-days/

Michael’s Woodshop

There’s always something happening at Michael’s Woodshop! Events this fall include Pinewood Derby Days, Woodwork Merit Badge Classes, and Baloo the Builder sessions. Learn more at www.gotosnyder.org/rentals/michaels-wood-shop

OPI Wilderness First Aid Training

Get trained for your 2024 high adventure with NCAC’s Outdoor Preparedness Initiative! Whether you are planning a trip to a National High Adventure, our local Lenhok’sin High Adventure, or designing your own expedition, this is a must have training. Certification is offered through the American Red Cross and fall sessions are open for registration. Learn more at www.ncacbsa.org/opi-wfa