scouting
Troop 492, An Amazing Blessing During a Difficult Year
A year ago today, Michael and I went to visit a Troop 492 Scout meeting. He wanted to join the Cub Scouts for years, but scheduling never worked out. But we decided that because he was going to be going to a magnet middle school, we’d let him join the BSA in the fall. His best friend’s dad was the Scoutmaster, so it was a way to keep him in touch with some of his friends.
Well, the terrific and very persuasive Scoutmaster convinced us that it made more sense to join right away. The Troop was brand new, so he’d be able to be involved in planning for the upcoming year, and could even go to Scout camp in July. We signed up that night. Little did we know what an incredible blessing that decision would turn out to be.
There was no way we could afford a week at Goshen at the time; we hadn’t budgeted for it, so the Troop worked with our sponsoring Rotary Club to pay Michael’s way. Michael’s best friend assured him that it was the BEST place in the world, and he’d love it.
A week and a half before camp, my dad passed away totally unexpectedly, shattering our world. Michael was with us that morning as my sister (recovering from surgery at our house) and I raced to our parents’ house after getting my mom’s call. Losing his beloved grandfather was devastating. We contemplated cancelling camp for him, but in the end decided to let him go, after getting assurances from his Scoutmaster that he’d be allowed to call us if needed. It was the best thing possible for him at the time. He had a phenomenal week and a break from the chaos at home.
And as our whole lives turned upside down this year – first with our move to live with and take care of my mom, through starting at a brand new middle school not knowing anyone, and then through this pandemic, his Scout Troop has been his lifeline.
Michael has thrived in Scouting, becoming the first in his Troop to promote to Tenderfoot, and then among the first three to promote to Second Class and then First Class. He sold a crazy amount of popcorn, and earned a free week at Goshen for this year. (Still hoping that will happen…) He’s earned a ton of merit badges – including several over Zoom from Councils all over the country! – and was just elected to be the new Patrol Leader. He was pretty nervous about taking on a leadership role, but his first (Zoom) meeting with the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader this week convinced him that it’s pretty cool to be in ‘the room where it happens’!
I had no idea what we were signing up for a year ago. Now I’m the Assistant Scoutmaster, and a Merit Badge Counselor for several merit badges. I adore all the phenomenal kids in our Troop, and am excited to watch them progress, and to welcome in our new Scouts who will be bridging over from the Cub Pack in the next few weeks. The thing I’m actually missing most during this pandemic lockdown is getting to go camping with all those goofballs! But I’m so proud of all that we’re managing to accomplish despite the lockdown; we haven’t missed a beat.
We’ve had Troop meetings on Zoom every week, videoconferences for merit badge counseling, and even a virtual campout!
It’s been an amazing first year of scouting. I can’t wait to see what future years hold!
Troop 58 Reminisces on Scout Adventures through Interactive Map
Founded in 2014, Troop 58 in Ashburn is an active Troop with monthly outdoor events that include camping, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, white-water rafting, climbing, and skiing. What does over five years of these adventures look like? Check out our cool interactive map on our website http://troop58ashburn.camp/resources/. Once there you’ll find all the Troop’s outings (78 of them) since early 2014, plotted on a Google map. Zoom in and explore for inspiration for your next outing!
Shout out to Troop 58’s youth Webmaster, Daniel H., for crafting this map so that we can reminisce about the adventures we’ve had as a Troop and look forward to what’s to come after restrictions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are lifted. Later this year, Troop 58 will be adding Northern Minnesota and Canada to our interactive map when Scouts make their way to Northern Tier High Adventure for a whole new level of adventure!
Adventures of Pack-Man and Newbie – The Right Word
2021 Jamboree, THE MOST EXCITING JAMBOREE EVER!
Scouting’s flagship event is a gathering of thousands of Scouts and Scouters that showcases everything that is great about the Boy Scouts of America. Over the course of 10 days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America gathers together. Scouts and Scouters who attend will participate in many adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, hikes, sports and more! With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.
National Jamboree is the best of Scouting rolled into 10 days of friends, fun and adventure! Get ready to Face the Challenge and sign up to attend the Jamboree!
Scouting’s PREMIER High Adventure experience! The experience of a lifetime including: whitewater rafting, rock climbing, bouldering, rappelling, zip lines, mountain biking, canopy tours, shooting sports, dragon boats, paddle boats, COPE courses, BMX racing, Pioneering, canoe slalom, kayaking and more. In addition to all of the things you’ve grown to love about the Jamboree, there is patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, Technology Quest, and over 30,000 of your closest friends.
- When: The 2021 National Jamboree is July 21 – 30, 2021
- Where: Summit Bechtel Reserve, New Hope, West Virginia
SEEKING:
- Scouts BSA: At least 12 years of age (or age 11 and have graduated 6th grade) by the first day of the Jamboree, and may not reach their 18th birthday by the last day of the Jamboree
- Crew Member: Graduated the 8th grade or be at least 14 years of age by the first day of the Jamboree, but not have reached their 21st birthday by the last day of the Jamboree.
- Adults: who are willing to apply to serve as unit leadership
You must have a my.scouting.org account in order to register. If you do not have a profile, please visit http://my.scouting.org and set up an account; you will need to attach your BSA ID to the account so be sure to have the number available.
HOW MUCH:
- $1,500* per Scout or Crew Member ($200 due to complete registration)
- $1,500* per Adult Unit Leaders
- Camperships available to qualifying youth from households under 50% of the Area Median Income in the Washington D.C. area.
- Fees include all food, insurance and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel and cooking utensils during your adventure at the Jamboree. Fees also include transportation to and from the Summit on motorcoach buses. There will be a shakedown campout prior to the Jamboree. No major additional costs. Just show up with your personal camping gear and Jamboree Uniform.
NCAC Contingent cost is $1,500pp. The national fee of $1,175 set by Jamboree Administration covers the expense of program materials, food, insurance, and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel, and cooking utensils. Additional Council fees cover transportation, bags, patches, and other fees.
Note on Unit Assignments: Youth will be assigned to NCAC contingent units in the summer of 2020. A maximum of eight (8) youth from one local unit will be assigned to a NCAC contingent Jamboree unit.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
- $200 due upon registration
- $500 due June 30, 2020
- $500 due December 31, 2020
- $300 due April 1, 2021
Download the flier today and get ready to Face The Challenge, Jamboree 2021!
If you have any questions please contact Program Director, Eric Smith at eric.smith@scouting.org. For more information visit https://www.ncacbsa.org/jamboree/.
NCAC Scout Earns American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year for Virginia
The American Legion offers a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education. To be eligible for the American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year award, some of the requirements include: being an Eagle Scout; having received the appropriate Boy Scout religious emblem; having demonstrated practical citizenship in church, school, Scouting and community; and reached the age of 15 and enrolled in high school at time of selection.
Noah Ventura of Mt. Vernon, VA is the American Legion’s Eagle Scout of the Year for Virginia.
Ventura, is a high school Junior at Gonzaga College High School. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in January 2017 and was inducted in the NCAC Youth Leadership Society in 2019. Noah Ventura is also an Eagle Scout with Crew 1022/Troop 1509. Other achievements for Ventura include Order of the Arrow Virginia Central Area Section Chief, National Youth Leadership Training Senior Patrol Leader, and Congressional Silver Award. He has a strong interest in STEM and has earned the BSA Supernova Awards; Thomas Edison (2017), Dr. Bernard Harris Award (2015) and William H. Townes Award (2013).
American Legion State Department headquarters then submit their nominations to the American Legion National Office’s Youth Activities Subcommittee for review of all department nominations and selection of The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year.
As the American Legion, State of Virginia, Eagle Scout of the Year Noah will receive a $1,500 scholarship. The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year will receive a $10,000 scholarship. Three runners-up will each receive $2,500.