This year NCAC’s Cub Scout Day camp had the theme of Superheroes. Mattaponi District STEM Chair, Wendy Latella, designed a series of STEM stations all of which were right on theme!
In an action-packed week, Cub Scouts learned about density with Aquaman, properties of water with Superman/ 
Mr. Freeze, and machines with Wonderwoman. For the culminating activity on Friday, all Cubs worked thru an escape room, themed around X-Men unite. The cubs had a blast as you can see from the photos!
Ms. Latella generously shared her STEM-action hero themed day camp plans below:
Monday (Aquaman / Water)
- STEM – Water / Cool – Power of Water (Aquaman) – Sink or Float, water bottle tornado, water bottle diving character
- Explore Superpower – Save Fred (gummy worm)
- Make a SuperHero Float – (design a float for a ‘superhero’)
Tuesday (Superman vs Mr. Freeze / Lasters)
- STEM – Water / Cool – Leak-proof bag
- Explore Superpower – Laser eyes: Melt Ice to save Superheroes
- Make – magnifying glass & solar power s’mores (s’more 2 ways!)
Wednesday (Wonderwoman / Flying Machine and Robin / Water Boat)
- STEM – Water / Cool / Make – Rubberband-Powered Boat
- Explore Superpower / Make – It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Superman
- Paper Plane! (exploring shape & size in comparison to how paper planes fly, furthest flight, coolest trick
Thursday (Mr. Freeze / Frost / Cold)
- STEM – Water / Cool and Explore Superpower – Make Frost in Can and explore a “Greek Tower”
- Make – Plastic Bag Ice Cream / fruit slushies for kids with allergies
Friday (X-Men Unite / Escape Room)
STEM – ESCAPE ROOM
Troop 1889 of Aquia District, in conjunction with Troop 1422 of Mattaponi District, participated in a Flag Retirement ceremony hosted by the American Legion Post 320 in Spotsylvania County. Troop 1889 collected about 85 tattered U.S. Flags that needed to be properly retired with due respect and honors. These were added to the several hundred that the American Legion already had gathered from the community.
and adult Scout Leaders, as well as three Scouts and the Scoutmaster from Troop 1422, reported to the American Legion at 10:00 AM to prepare the Flags and set them out on metal bars. At 2:00 PM, they all participated in the Flag Retirement Ceremony where over 350 flags were retired with dignity and honor while a bugler played taps. From the collection of worn U.S. Flags to the retirement ceremony, Scouts completed about 7 hours of community service while practicing social distancing.
The Founder of Scouting, Lord Robert Baden-Powell said: “The teaching of service is not merely a matter of teaching in theory, but the development of two distinct phases: the inculcation of the spirit of goodwill, and the provision of opportunity for its expression in practice. The teaching is mainly through example and … patriotic dedication of self to the service of [others], solely for the joy of doing it and without thought of material reward.” The Scouts of Troop 1889 and 1422 and their adult Scout Leaders clearly exemplified this kind of patriotic service in their honoring of U.S. Flags deserving of proper and respectful retirement.
During the virtual Roundtable Meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2020, the Mattaponi District welcomed our newest unit, Pack 847. Sponsored by Tabernacle United Methodist Church, the families of Pack 847 have entered the Scouting World running! Leaders have attended PowWow and completed their trainings and Scouts have enjoyed hikes, field trips, achievements, and more. The Mattaponi District is happy to welcome them into our Scouting family and we look forward to celebrating their Chartering and other Scouting accomplishments in person soon.
Scouts interested in earning the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Award can start that process on Sunday; October 28, 2018 at Caledon State Park, 11617 Caledon Road, King George, VA 22485 from 1-3 pm. ALL Scouts are welcome; please RSVP and let us know that you are interested. There will be a Leave No Trace trainer on site during the river/beach cleanup to help fulfill requirement #4. 
The last week of June at the Isaack Walton League was filled with Scouts engaged in outdoor activity. Mattaponi Scouts experienced many things in their day camp including shooting BB guns, fishing, a visit from the FBI, things found in nature, and archery. This year Scouts were joined by the very first family Scouting Unit (Pack 8100). “It is extraordinary! I wish they did this years ago so my daughter could have joined,” one parent exclaimed looking at the ponytails of the newest Scouters shooting bb guns. “I loved doing stuff like this as a kid, so it’s really great to have both my daughter and son growing up together…it’s really about keeping my family together,” said another. 
The weather the entire week was enjoyable and the camp director was perfectly on cue reminding everyone to “keep drinking your water; if you’re not using the restroom that means you are not getting enough water” to which the chorus of 90 children would laugh very hardy laughs! The last day of camp saw all 90 youth singing in unison, playing their instruments, accepting awards, and telling one another that they never want to leave! It truly is an amazing experience. See you all next year!