We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Merit badges at home

Thank You Merit Badge at Home Counselors!

by

Shortly after our Council began #ScoutingAtHome a team of volunteers stepped up to form the program that has become the centerpiece of our online program – Merit Badges @Home. These leaders served as digital pioneers, teaching us through example how to offer high quality Scouting programs while practicing physical distancing.

Since the start of the program, nearly 1,000 Scouts have taken merit badge classes. They have earned 24 different badges in 59 classes taught by these amazing instructors:

  • Alexandra Galloway: Art
  • Alexis Owens: Law
  • Arden Dougan: Chemistry
  • Burt Wagner: Digital Technology
  • Carol Brown: Safety
  • Chris Marston: Pets, Genealogy
  • Cyndy Hogan: Citizenship in the World, Citizenship in the Nation
  • David Medvitz: Programming
  • Doug Goldring: Citizenship in the Nation, Hiking/Backpacking
  • Irwin Lazar: Citizenship in the Community
  • James Chaplin: Programming
  • Jim Sheeran: Citizenship in the Community
  • Joseph Bastian: Robotics
  • Kathryn Trolenberg: American Heritage, Music
  • Kevin Bills: Genealogy
  • Lola Arjona: Family Life
  • Marcie Calcagno: Pets
  • Mike Yearsley: Personal Management
  • Nina Hughes: American Culture, Genealogy, Reading, Communications
  • Richard Harrington: Animation, Photography, Moviemaking
  • Richard Morris: Public Health
  • Sara Holtz: Public Health
  • Scott Willey: Painting
  • Sri Sritharan: Programming
  • Susan Plano-Faber: Scholarship, Family Life, Hiking/Backpacking

Please join us in thanking these dedicated Scouters who have worked so hard to innovate these programs for our Scouts! Special thanks also go to the Council’s Advancement & Recognition Committee, Program Department and Marketing Committee for working out the details behind the scenes.

Got a Merit Badge you would like to teach online? Go here https://www.ncacbsa.org/merit-badges-at-home/ to get started.

 

COVID-19 Stay at Home Family Kits

by

As a member of Troop 642 in Orange County, CA, I’ve been fortunate that the NCAC Merit Badges @ Home sessions are open to Scouts nationwide!

I was inspired during a virtual Family Life merit badge class to do a family community service project to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. We partnered with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) and prepared 20 COVID-19 Stay at Home Family Kits for families facing homelessness who are staying in a shelter, motel, or RV. The kits included diapers, wipes, soap and shampoo, baby formula, non-perishable snacks and at-home activities for kids such as books, craft kits, art supplies and puzzles. Many of these families do not have a car, access to the Internet or much money, so its difficult to shop online or do take-out or curbside pick up for essential items.

This project was a good way for my family to work together, help others, and show our Scout spirit during the Stay at Home orders! Some of my friends helped too. Their parents dropped off donations on my front porch or had donations delivered directly to my house from Amazon. We used extra safety precautions by washing our hands regularly, disinfecting donations, and wearing masks while unpacking and delivering the kits for distribution. We hope these essential items will help families stay safe! Thank you NCAC for the awesome virtual merit badge classes!