We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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Public Health Merit Badge in the COVID Pandemic

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To be perfectly honest, when I signed up for the online Public Health Merit Badge, I only wanted to get another merit badge towards Eagle. I thought “well, I suppose I’ll do it. I want more merit badges”. The funny thing is, sometimes the merit badges you think will be just something to earn end up being the most interesting. First of all, I had an awesome merit badge counselor. Unlike the other merit badges I earned, she seemed genuinely interested in my class learning, not just going through the motions. She encouraged us to research questions for ourselves and share information and ideas about our experiences and knowledge in class.

Second, we learned outside of what was required. We learned all sorts of things in class including (but definitely not limited to) how water spreads disease, the difference between immunization and vaccination, and about diseases like gonorrhea, West Nile virus, Zika, botulism, influenza, syphilis, hepatitis, emphysema, meningitis, herpes, and lead poisoning, to name a few. I also learned about the health drawbacks of water, air, and noise pollution. I had no idea there are so many!

One thing I learned that I hadn’t even thought about is how racism, especially systemic racism, is a public health crisis. If systemic racism forces some American minorities to have fewer economic and social opportunities than white Americans, this can put minorities in less than ideal living conditions and can lead to a decline in their physical and mental health. It made me think: The fact that people live in conditions like these at all is not okay, and the fact that systemic racism is an underlying cause is even worse. It is un-just to have people suffering when what makes them suffer is the unfairness of others.

This merit badge also taught me more about Covid-19, both in a public health way and a personal way. I learned about the spread of diseases like Covid-19 and even made this about staying safe during the pandemic video , but I also learned that you can still go to interesting places and learn new things during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the one plausible option for requirement 5, you have to go to a solid waste management operation. Normally during non-Covid-19 days we would go on a “field trip” in class, but this time we went by ourselves. I went to a transfer facility, or as many call it, “the dump”. Even though we had to wait in line to get in, it was definitely worth it. I had no idea what a dump looked like, and it was really interesting to see what people brought to the dump. I even saw a wagon in the pile and the pick-up truck in front of us dropped off a mattress!

I think that one of the main lessons to get out of this is that there is always time for learning, and that often scouts enjoy the merit badge more if their counselors seem excited and make an effort to teach scouts outside of the requirements. I really enjoyed this merit badge, and I think the others in my session did too.

Stay home! Stay safe!

Written by Scout Evelyn

Free Leadership Seminar July 9th at 5pm EST

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Join us for our third Seminar for youth leaders this Thursday, 7/9 at 5pm, delivered by youth NYLT staff. The topic for this seminar will be titled, “Mastering the Art of Improvement.” Scouting provides opportunities to try new things and take on new roles. But few people are instantly good at something they’ve never done before, like cooking over a fire, or holding a new position of leadership. Learn the tools Scouting gives us to improve after each experience.

Register here today!

Climb—Shoot—Build—Fly—Create at Camp Snyder!

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Claim your campsite for Camp Snyder Family Camping and enjoy the program activities! You can still sign up for Family Camping weekends in July and early August.

Settle into your campsite and begin your adventure! Climb the Scouterhorn like a
mountaineer; see who is the best shot at the BB gun range; build a bird house or tool box or game at the Wood Shop; fly a drone or drive a robot car and create heat, color and odd shapes with STEM Foam Fun! You can also fish, walk the nature trail, try your hand at Geocaching and roast marsh mellows over your campfire before ending a very full day.

Register at https://scoutingevent.com/082-38193 and count down to your family’s weekend adventure at Camp Snyder. See you at camp!

WOOD BADGE 2020

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Wood Badge is the Boy Scouts of America’s ultimate leadership training designed to meet the advanced leadership needs of Scouters in all aspects of the BSA, whether unit, district, or council level – from assistant den leaders to Scoutmasters, from Cubmasters to Venturing Advisors, from committee members to commissioners. It is a fun, energetic and inspiring course guaranteed to infuse your unit with fun and meaning – all designed to fulfill the mission of the BSA, and ensure our youth is getting everything they are promised from the program.

Reflecting the best of nearly a century of Scouting experience, Wood Badge draws upon the most current leadership models used by corporate America, academic circles and successful organizations throughout the country. Participants can expect to develop skills in many areas, including leadership theory, team building, problem-solving, communication, project planning and more.  These skills can be taken back to packs, troops, crews and ships to help leaders guide youth in dynamic Scouting programs.  Scouters will find these skills invaluable in their business and personal lives as well.
Wood Badge consists of two parts:
·         The first five full days is the initial group training, usually held over two weekends – the first weekend Friday through Sunday, and the second Saturday and Sunday.
·         The second part requires participants to apply the skills they learned by completing a 5-part plan (called a “ticket”) over the following 18 months, leading towards the individual participant’s vision of a better Scouting future.
As stated above, the course is held over two weekends. Both weekends are camping activities where the participants provide tents and other personal camping equipment. During the first weekend, all meals are provided.  During the second weekend, participants cook their own meals in smaller groups called patrols.
Requirements for attending Wood Badge:
1.    Be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America and age 18 or older.
2.    Have completed the basic position-specific training courses for their Scouting role.
3.    Be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. All participants are required to complete the Annual Health and Medical Record. Parts A, B, and C are required which includes a physical. Part C is required for everyone, including people who are not present for more than 72 hours.
 
General Information  
1.    Participant pre-course assignment
A minimum (non-refundable) deposit is due with registration, and then full payment is due 45 days before the start of the course.  Each Wood Badge course is limited to 48 participants. Per national guidelines, any course not having 30 fully paid participants 30 days prior to the start of the course is subject to cancellation.
QUESTIONS?

For information about specific courses, contact the Course Director listed on the registration page.


What are the central themes of Wood Badge?
Course participants begin their Wood Badge experience by modeling the Cub Scout program, then bridge to Scouts BSA and form patrols for the remainder of the course.  Selected staff members interact with participants in the role of a Venturing crew.  Representing a month in the life of a Scout unit, Wood Badge participants assume leadership roles to plan and carry out an extended outdoor experience.
Within this framework, participants take part in numerous presentations, discussions, and activities that explore and advance a wide range of leadership philosophies and tools.  A key area is the process of team development, where participants learn to apply appropriate leadership strategies at varying stages of team development.  There are five central themes of the Wood Badge course:
1. Growing
2. Connecting
3. Guiding
4. Empowering
5. Living the Values

The first weekend of the course parallels three weeks of a Scout units meetings and activities with the second weekend paralleling the experiences of a Scout unit setting out on the fourth week of a month for an exciting and challenging outdoor experience.


What are the some of the Wood Badge activities?

During the Wood Badge course the participants will learn through presentations, campfire, games, song, camping and working together as a patrol on presentations of their own.  Each of these activities are tied to the themes of Wood Badge (see above) and model activities that you can take back to your units.

What trainings are required before Wood Badge?
 
One of the requirements for taking Wood Badge is to complete the basic training requirements for your primary position prior to attending. These are the required courses:
• Den Leader – Den Leader Specific Training
• Pack Committee Chair or Member – Pack Committee Leader Specific Training
• Cubmaster – Cubmaster Leader Specific Training
• Scoutmaster – Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
• Troop Committee Chair or Member – Troop Committee Challenge
• Venturing Advisor – Venturing Leader Specific Training
• District or Council Committee – District Committee Training Workshop Unit
• Commissioners – Commissioner Basic Training
Outdoor Skills Training:  All participants are encouraged to complete the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) training before attending Wood Badge, but it is not required.
Venturing and Sea Scouts Youth (18-20 years of age): For the purpose of writing a ticket, the applicant should be an officer at the crew, ship, council, regional, or national level. Youth prerequisites: Youth Protection Training and Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC) for Venturers or Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships (ILSS) for Sea Scouts.

What is the ticket?

One of the great traditions of Wood Badge is the ticket.  During the course each participant will be asked to develop a contract or ticket – a list of goals that will allow them to use their newly-learned leadership skills in ways to strengthen Scouting in their home units, districts and councils.  The ticket will include the participant’s personal values, roles in Scouting, vision of success, and a mission of five significant goals that can be attained within 18 months.  Overall the ticket will be meaningful and enable the participant to practice the skills learned in the course. Troop guides (ticket counselors) will assist participants in writing their tickets and approve them when complete.  The troop guide and the participant will mutually agree when all the items of the ticket have been fulfilled.

 
What is the Wood Badge recognition?
 
Recognition for the successful completion of Wood Badge (including the ticket) consists of the distinctive Wood Badge neckerchief, woggle, the Wood Badge – two wooden beads worn on a leather thong around the neck, and the certificate.  This regalia is recognized around the world as a symbol of training and leadership experience.
What is the history of Wood Badge?
 
Wood Badge training was begun by Baden Powell in 1919 as a way to ensure that the leaders of Scout troops were properly trained.  Since then Wood Badge has been held worldwide, providing advanced leadership training to thousands of Scout leaders.
Wood badge builds upon the best traditions and experiences of the Boy Scouts of America and also draws from a wide range of courses within and beyond the bounds of Scouting to present the latest in leadership theory and team development.
Is financial assistance available?
 
A limited number of partial-fee financial assistance requests are available to apply toward the course fee.  This financial assistance is granted based on need.  Financial assistance can be requested from the NCAC Wood Badge Scholarship Fund. Financial assistance may be requested as soon as a person has registered for the course.  A copy of the email confirming the awarding of financial assistance must be attached to the application, along with the balance of the fee. Financial assistance is awarded in amounts up to 50% of the fee. The balance of the course fee is expected with the financial assistance request application.
Because Wood Badge is a premier leadership course, units, chartered organizations and a number of employers may also partially underwrite necessary fees for a Scouter to attend.  Please inquire prior to applying for council financial assistance.
 Qualified Scouters may also apply for these national Wood Badge scholarships:
•AFL-CIO Wood Badge Scholarship Program – The AFL-CIO offers a Wood Badge scholarship to assist selected union members in acquiring skills that will better equip them to serve the youth of their communities.
•VFW Wood Badge Scholarship Program – The VFW National headquarters offers Wood Badge scholarships to assist selected chapter members in acquiring skills that will better equip them to serve the youth of their communities.
•Council Wood Badge Financial Assistance Request

NEW Leadership Seminar: How To Deliver Engaging Unit Meetings Over Zoom

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Based on attendee feedback from our first Seminar, many Scouts are looking for ways to keep their Unit meetings engaging and exciting over Zoom. NYLT Staff are developing a second Leadership Seminar to share tips, tricks and ideas to help you deliver a fun program Scouts will want to attend.

NYLT Staff will offer this live 50-minute webinar on
Tuesday, June 30th @ 5pm
The event is FREE, but space is limited
Register at: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gp-GgpNaSNCYfDNr0G34sw
(Scouters welcome though the target audience is Youth)

FAQ
Q. Is this an “Online NYLT course?”
A. No. NYLT is a 6-day practical learning experience. We are offering this webinar to help Scouts who have attended NYLT (or are thinking about attending NYLT) focus on a few specific leadership topics in a fast-paced online format.

Q. Will this session be offered again?
A. This is currently the only time we are offering this seminar.

Q. Is there a certificate of completion I can share with my Unit Leader?
A. All Scouts will have an opportunity to receive (via email) a certificate of attendance.

Q. May Scouts who are not in NCAC attend this activity?
A. Of course. We will advertise within NCAC primarily but welcome Scouts outside NCAC who wish to explore leadership concepts.

Q. Will these webinars be placed on YouTube?
A. Not currently… but we’re looking into it. No participants are recorded because we use the Zoom “Webinar” package.

Q. When is the next opportunity to take NYLT in NCAC?
A. We are planning on holding courses in 2021, starting with a Winter course running across two 3-day weekends (MLK and Presidents’ Day). Registration typically opens in October but fills quickly. We anticipate running courses in the summer of 2021 as well.

Have questions? Email contact@myNYLT.org!

Register at: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gp-GgpNaSNCYfDNr0G34sw

NCAC Celebrates Juneteenth!

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What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom. Now, 155 years later, people in cities and towns across the U.S. continue to mark the occasion with parades, picnics, family gatherings and other celebrations.

Why Celebrate Juneteenth?

For many Juneteenth is a day of reflection and rejoicing. It is a time to see how far the black community has come and just how far we have to go.

Some may ask, why not celebrate it in September, when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed? Unfortunately, many slaves were not informed President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation freeing them from slavery in 1863. But on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger, along with two thousand soldiers of the 13th Army Corps, marched through Galveston, TX, reading General Order, No. 3, which stated:

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”

The ending of slavery was monumental in the black community. It changed the course of their lives from education to employment for generations to come.

Today, state governments and companies are beginning to recognize the importance of Juneteenth for the black community. Twitter and Nike have announced Juneteenth will be an official company holiday, and the state of New York and the Commonwealth of Virginia are currently advancing legislation to make Juneteenth a state holiday.

How Can Scouts Celebrate Juneteenth?

Scouts and Scouters can celebrate by learning the history behind Juneteenth. Good activities for a unit could include:

• Take a virtual tour of a museum.  https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions,
• Read a book or visit a website that explains the significance of Juneteenth and lead a discussion. http://www.juneteenth.com
• Visit your local parks and recreations websites to find local events to attend. Please be sure events comply with NCAC’s guidance for resuming in-person activities. http://www.pgparks.com/780/Juneteenth
• Learning about Juneteenth can also help Scouts working on the American Cultures merit badge. 

Did your unit celebrate Juneteenth? Let us know what you did! Submit your stories to weownadventure.com/submit!