We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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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!

Sibling Eagle Scouts from Troop 1131 Earn All 137 BSA Merit Badges

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Pablo and Gabriel Sejas-Fernandez, brothers and Eagle Scouts in Troop 1131, have earned all 137 merit badge currently offered by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), an accomplishment achieved by only about 450 scouts in the 110-year history of the Boy Scouts. Troop 1131 is sponsored by St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, in Burke, Virginia, and is part of the Patriot District of the National Capital Area Council, BSA. The boys’ inspiration to earn all the merit badges came early in their Scouting career when Pablo and Gabriel learned about an older Scout who had accomplished the feat. So, after several years of hard work, Pablo and Gabriel accomplished their goal. A small ceremony to celebrate their achievement was held on October 18, 2020, when they received the last merit badge they needed, Backpacking.

Pablo Sejas-Fernandez is a Senior at Lake Braddock H.S. in Fairfax County, Virginia. He joined Scouting in September 2014 and became an Eagle Scout on April 2, 2019. His Eagle Scout project was restoring the Indian Spring Community sign, removing the massive overgrowth, and landscaping the public area around the entry sign. Pablo’s leadership positions have included Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Bugler, Den Chief, and Troop Order of the Arrow Representative. His accomplishment includes earning the Ad Altare Dei Award in 2016, the Servus Dei Award in 2018, Service to Youth Outstanding Leadership in 2019, and the Pope Pius XII Award in 2020. He has over 150 days camping, earning the Alben Struble Award for Perfect Camping in 2016 and 2017, as a member of his earlier Troop 61 in the National Capital Area Council. He also has over 140 miles backpacking and hiking experience to his credit. Pablo attended the Kandersteg International Scout Center, in Switzerland in 2016, the National Order of the Arrow Conference in 2018, and the 2019 World Scout Jamboree at the Summit in West Virginia.

Gabriel Sejas-Fernandez is a Sophomore at Lake Braddock H.S. Gabriel earned the Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout and bridged over to Boy Scouts in September 2016. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout on October 18, 2020, at the same time he earned the last merit badge he needed, Backpacking. His Eagle Scout project was a landscaping project similar to Pablo’s. He cleaned up and removed abundant weeds and overgrowth. The planted 80 individual native Virginia species alongside the newly paved sidewalk at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, in Annandale, Virginia. Gabriel’s leadership positions have included Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Bugler. Gabriel earned the Servus Dei Award in 2018, Service to Youth Award in 2019, and the Ad Altare Dei Award in 2020. He also has over 150 days camping, earning the Alben Struble Award for Perfect Camping in 2017 as a member of his earlier Troop 61. He also has over 140 miles backpacking and hiking. Gabriel attended the National Order of the Arrow Conference in 2018, and the 2019 World Scout Jamboree Jamboree at the Summit in West Virginia.

Scouting Is All Fun & Games!

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Boy Scout Troop 1076, of the Franconia Moose Lodge in Alexandria, Virginia, enjoyed their summer working on the Chess Merit Badge. So, when they finally got outside to hold their first outdoor event, it was their Court of Honor and LIVE Chest Game. Wearing masks and practicing social distancing, the youth designed a massive size chess board under the Moose Lodge Pavilion. The youth and the families were all involved as two team leaders would strategically plan the team’s every move. It soon became a join team effort as the “pieces’ began to help call the next move for their team. Each Scout became a ‘piece” and wore a headband representing their chess character. It was non-stop excitement.

The game was fun, exciting, and very interactive as the Scouts tested their new merit badge skills. An hour flew by until they ran out of time and had to call it a draw! It was a fun filled family event that kept the promise, to “Keep the Outing in Scouting. For the Boy Scouts, being creative is just part of the game!

Sign Up NOW for the Camp Snyder Fall Cub Exposition!

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Cub Families can now register for the Cub Expositions for either Sep 25-27 or October 23-25. This is a great opportunity to get your Cub and the family in the outdoors in fall weather!

The Exposition features overnight family camping, self-guided activities and program activities run by volunteers. All camping and activities will be conducted using COVID-19 virus precautions. Space is limited and we cannot accommodate day visitors due to COVID-19 virus capacity limitations, so sign up soon! Register here!

Just for fun, see if you can match the Exposition activity name in the left column with the correct description in the right column below

BB Guns                                         Not A Drink
Leatherwork/Handicrafts          Robin Hood
Fishing                                           Findable Trinkets
Geocaching                                   Walk the Line
Woodshop                                    Helmets Needed
Archery                                         Walk On Water
Climbing                                       They’re Biting
Slackline                                       Sawdust and Glue
COFFEE                                       The Scouterhorn
Bicycling                                       Lets Get Crafty
STEM                                            Bullseye

Adventure Talks Recap; Looking Ahead

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This month, NCAC kicked off a webinar series called Adventure Talks. Adventure Talks are a webinar series to bring the illustrious and exciting adventures that Scouts take to you! Scouts have explored the deep ocean, the corners of the earth, and space. This series of talks features presentations and panels about Philmont, the Appalachian Trail, research in Antarctica, biking across the USA, Scouting Jamborees, and more.

The first three talks included a Philmont Panel, a NESA World Explorer sharing his experience at the Biodiversity Station in Ecuador, and a Thru-Hiker’s Tales of the Appalachian Trail.

Today, July 28, we revisit Philmont, with new panelists and another perspective. Tune in as Danielle Ballantine, John Blackwell, Patricia Wrath and Toni Welch share their experiences of the Philmont Training Center, Family Adventures, PLC and Philmont Ambassdors!

Have a burning question or a topic you wish to see addressed? Let us know ahead of time in the sign up. OR ask the panelists directly during Q&A in the ZOOM session. To get the link to join the ZOOM, please sign up (free) here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks

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Recap of July Adventure Talks

July 7: Philmont Panel: The Philmont Fires, the Welcome Center, the highest peaks and longest treks.

The panelists include Tom Giugni, Jay Oakman, Sam McGrath and Arden Dougan. Our Moderator is Julia Mae-Shen Lesko.

Our panelists have been Philmont Ambassadors, Scouting U Faculty, Rangers and participants – we aim to offer you a glimpse of each role and how you can participate too!

 

July 14: An Eagle’s Guide to the Rainforest

Evan Dunn, NESA World Explorer, will share his experience at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador.

Dr. Michael Manyak, distinguished Eagle Scout and founder of the NESA World Explorer program also shares and intro about the program!

 

July 21: Tales from the Trail

Approximately 2,000 people attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail each year. Only about 10% (150-200) of the hikers who start make it the whole way from Georgia to Maine. Join long distance hiker and biker Pete Lane for a first hand account of how he made the journey.

 

 

July 28: Philmont Talks II

There’s so much to cover with Philmont, we have Part II! Our panelists include Danielle Ballantine, John Blackwell, Pat Wrath and Toni Welch. Topics include: PTC, Family Adventure, PLC and Philmont Ambassdors! Have a burning question? Let us know ahead of time in the sign up or ask the panelists directly during Q&A.

To get the link to join the ZOOM, please sign up (free) here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks

Ashburn Troop 997 Holds Mini-Camp

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Like many, Ashburn Troop 997’s summer camp plans were put on hold due to COVID closures. But that didn’t stop the Troop from providing a high-quality summer experience for their Scouts while following all BSA, CBC and state rules and guidance. The Troop set up a campsite at the Hidden Meadow group campsite maintained by the Willowsford Conservancy.

Led by Scoutmaster Terry Kolb and his adult team of volunteers, ASMs and Merit Badge Counselors, the Troop put together a mini-camp (five days of ‘day camp’ plus one night camping out) allowing the Scouts to earn a number of outdoor-oriented merit badges, including Pioneering, Soil & Water Conservation, Golf, Fishing, Astronomy and Search & Rescue. The Troop’s new Scouts also had the opportunity to work on early rank requirements. Highlights of the week included bridge-building, a search dog rescue demonstration, model-rocket launching, hiking at Manassas and biking around the Willowsford Farm community. Mid-week, the Troop gathered for an evening event, including the infamous Scoutmaster Campfire Extravaganza, an outdoor movie and an astronomy star party.

As the camp closed, the Scouts headed offsite to do trail maintenance for the Conservancy. In their newsletter, the Willowsford Conservancy complemented the Troop and the Leave No Trace principles of Scouting:

Last week, a troop of young scouts chose the Hidden Meadow Event Field as the site for their week-long scout mini-camp. We were excited to offer residents the ability to host camp at Willowsford, and delighted by the feedback from other residents about the care the scouts displayed toward nature and toward our community’s resources; true to the Scouts’ principles of “Leave no Trace.” They can be applied anywhere, at any time.