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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

scouting at home

Troop 33 Collects Over 5,000 Items for Virtual Food Drive

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Scouts BSA Troop 33 in Takoma Park, Maryland ran a virtual food drive for two weeks in mid-April, which collected over 5,000 to help the Capital Area Food Bank provide meals to vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 emergency. Like a 5K road race, the food drive had a specific challenge with a measurable goal. In this case, the 5K theme represented a race to collect 5,000 food items resulting in much-needed assistance to children, families, seniors, and other individuals who are food-insecure at this time.

Scouts are known for acts of service, many of which are enabled through in-person, group activities. The current state of emergency, with stay-at-home orders and social distancing, presents opportunities for Scouts to think about how to serve others while remaining obedient to public health policies and keeping themselves out of harm’s way. Troop 33, and a supportive community of other youth and adults, faced the conundrum head on and exceeded the 5K goal. The total 5,380 food items collected is valued at $11,243.24, and weighs nearly two tons!

The food drive happened 100% online, powered by a giving platform developed by the woman-owned business YouGiveGoods. The food items will be shipped directly from YouGiveGoods to the Capital Area Food Bank by the end of April. Troop 33 hopes its success will inspire other units to imagine how they can meet the challenges of Scouting in these unprecedented times. The troop is celebrating 100 years of service this year, and has called the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church its home for the entire time. Troop 33 is grateful to everyone who pitched in to support the food drive, and their virtuous efforts to help others in a moment of crisis.

Giving Tuesday Now

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Since the middle of March, National Capital Area Council has placed all fundraising efforts on hold. We understand that there is not a single person that has not been affected by this pandemic and that this year will be especially challenging for many of our families, volunteers and donors impacted by COVID- 19.

As you can imagine, funding the Scouting movement in this environment is incredibly difficult, with many families and businesses facing a good deal of uncertainty right now. That said, we also know that the mission and programs of the BSA must continue, our Scouts need and deserve it. In this time of uncertainty, there’s a fundamental truth that gives us hope – that together we can do extraordinary things. Over the past few weeks and months, the entire world has been coming together to stand up, help out, give back, and heal. Whether that’s through donations to community organizations, celebrating doctors and nurses at shift changes, or reaching out to a neighbor to help with groceries, generosity has been helping the entire world get through this global pandemic. Together. 

National Capital Area Council plans to reengage in fundraising efforts of our annual campaign by participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Currently, much is unknown about how dramatically we will be affected. However, we do know that impacts to NCAC will include:

  • Cancellation of programs or events
  •  Potential closure of summer camps and subsequent loss of camp revenue
  • Staff and volunteer absences
  • Technology and resource deficits challenging staff ability to work remotely
  • Disruption in donations from families that help to support Scouting
  • Future inability of families to afford Scouting programs and camps
  • Decline in number of families we will be able to serve

As part of #GivingTuesdayNow we ask you to help us stay on course. As a key supporter, please consider making your contribution as early as possible this year, complete payment on your pledge as soon as you can, and to be as generous as your means will allow.

Please visit www.NCACbsa.org/give to support us through Friends of Scouting during #GivingTuesdayNow, on May 5, 2020.

As we practice physical distancing, we can remain connected through acts of kindness and generosity. There is no reason that our physical separation means we can’t provide the financial, emotional and social supports that nurture our families and communities. We are committed to making the investments our Scouts and our camps need, but we can only do that with your help.

NCAC Earth Day Keynote Speaker

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“Eagles as the Messenger: How we use Sea Eagles to Monitor the Health of the Planet”

Join us at 7:00 PM on April 22, 2020 as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with this presentation from Dr. William W. Bowerman! This presentation will be delivered live via ZOOM; please sign-up here (free event) to receive the link: https://scoutingevent.com/082-earthday.

Biography:
Dr. William W. Bowerman has been awarded the Hornaday Gold Award, one of the rarest awards in Scouting, and is awarded for distinguished and unusual service to natural resource conservation and environmental improvement over a sustained period (at least 20 years). Dr. Bowerman has over 35 years of work on conservation of bald eagles and other birds of prey on five continents. He served for 18 years on the International Joint Commission, Great Lakes Science Advisory Board, including 3 years as United States Co-Chair. Bowerman’s Scouting achievements include Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor, NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, and Silver Beaver Award. He has served as an adult leader in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, including service at the District and Council levels, currently NCAC’s Vice President of Outdoor Adventure. He is a National Fellow of The Explorers Club. Dr. William W. Bowerman, is a Professor and Department Chair of Environmental Science & Technology, University of Maryland.

To learn more about #NCACEarthWeek visit https://scoutingevent.com/082-earthday.

Troop 996 Organizes ‘Remote’ Food Drive

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When we started social distancing and businesses closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, my family and I thought of something our Troop could do to help others. I started to research food pantries and our Scoutmaster suggested we contact the one supported by our chartering organization, Aldersgate United Methodist Church. So I called Rising Hope and asked if we could do a food drive, and they said yes.

So, we sent out an email about the food drive to the Troop then a few days later my brother, my Mom, and I went to Aldersgate parking lot to wait for Scout families to drive by and drop off food. Then the next day my Mom and I went to Rising Hope and delivered the food.

I felt good about organizing this because the food will be given to people that need it and we live out the Scout Law (Helpful, Kind) even when we can’t have regular Troop meetings. A Scout is HELPFUL and KIND.