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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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COVID-19 Stay at Home Family Kits

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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!

NYLT Preparing for Summer Courses!!

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National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting 6-day program designed for youth to learn leadership skills that will help them succeed in Scouting and in life!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Scouts who have completed their unit’s introduction to leadership course, have been practicing these skills, and are ready for the next level of training should attend NYLT once they meet all Eligibility Requirements.

NYLT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Scouts must:

  • Complete their home Unit’s Introduction to Leadership Skills course*
  • Receive approval from your Scoutmaster or Unit leader
  • Be at least 14 years of age by course start date. We reserve limited space for 13-year-old participants on each course. All 13-year-old participants must contact the Course Director listed on the registration page before registering to see if slots still exist.
  • Earn First Class rank, if registered in a Troop
  • Have current BSA Health Form (Parts A, B, and C)
  • Be comfortable camping and cooking outdoors
  • Commit to attending the entire six-day course

* Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), Crews (ILSC), and Ships (ILSS) should be offered through a Scout’s home unit. Ask your Unit Leader how you can participate in this course.

WHAT NYLT IS (AND IS NOT)

NYLT is not like summer camp and is not designed for rank advancement or earning merit badges.  NYLT is an intense and challenging hands-on leadership training program.  It is essential that NYLT participants be physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared to handle the demands of this advanced training. In order to get the most benefit from this unique experience, participants must exhibit emotional maturity, a positive attitude, proficiency in basic camping and outdoor cooking, and have an ambition to serve in leadership roles.

SIGN UP TODAY

Behavior at NYLT: Participants agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the Scout Oath and Law.

QUESTIONS?

For information about specific courses, contact the Course Director listed on the registration page. General inquiries about the NYLT program may be directed to contact@myNYLT.org.

You can follow NCAC NYLT Youth Training online on Facebook facebook.com/myNYLT

Scouts Attend Virtual Court of Honor Ceremony

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On Saturday, April 25th, 38 from MD,VA, PA, MI and even 1 from the UK attended the BSA 2020 North East Region Area 6 Venturing Leadership Awards Zoom Ceremony plus the Introduction and Swearing in of the new 2020~2021 NER Area 6 Venturing Officers Association President and Vice Presidents! Congratulations are in order for all our awesome Scouts! 

Skilled Leaders Wanted for National Jamboree

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The National Capital Area Council (NCAC) is now accepting adult unit leader applications for the 2021 National Scout Jamboree NCAC provisional Scout Troops and Venturing Crews. The 2021 Jamboree will be held July 21-30, 2021 at the Summit Bechtel Family Reserve in West Virginia. NCAC plans to send to the National Jamboree twelve Scout Troops, including at least one Girls Troop and two co-ed Venturing Crews.

The National Capital Area Council (NCAC) is now accepting adult unit leader applications for the 2021 National Scout Jamboree NCAC provisional Scout Troops and Venturing Crews. The 2021 Jamboree will be held July 21-30, 2021 at the Summit Bechtel Family Reserve in West Virginia. NCAC plans to send to the National Jamboree twelve Scout Troops, including at least one Girls Troop and two co-ed Venturing Crews.


To ensure a successful Jamboree, the council requires qualified and committed adult leadership. Each troop requires three adult leaders over the age of 21, a Scoutmaster and a First and Second Assistant, as well as one adult between the ages of 18-21 to serve as Third Assistant. Crews require both male and female adult leaders over the age of 21. Members from the NCAC Jamboree Committee will review all applications to assess leader qualifications and experience, followed by interviews of qualified applicants in spring of 2020.


Adult leader applicants should register as an adult leader on the national Jamboree website AND complete the Unit Leaders Experience Survey (links below). The NCAC Unit Leader Experience Survey must be submitted to the council office (National Capital Area Council, Attn: Eric Smith, Program Director, 9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814) not later than 01 August 2020. Selected applicants will be notified in late summer and for those who are not selected, you may at that time amend your registration for a staff position at the Jamboree.


Should you have any questions, please contact the Chair of the NCAC Jamboree Committee, Bob MacKichan at bobmackichan@gmail.com.
Jamboree Registration: https://jamboree.scouting.org/
Council Survey: https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/DuTwg6fn4FnLvoUcbrsSmGrG

NCAC Celebrates Earth Week with Home Activities

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Take Action | Earth DayIt’s the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! We are celebrating all week with special activities! NCAC’s Earth Week is brought to you by our Conservation Committee. We will have daily NCACBSA Facebook Live Brown Bag presentations on Boy Scouts of America Hornaday Awards, other Conservation awards, and will have some fun activities. On Earth Day, Scouts will choose a part of the Scout Law and do activities on that theme, sharing pictures and promises on Facebook and will have fun activities all day long.

Don’t miss the William Hornaday Gold Medal talk by NCAC’s very own recipient, Dr. Bill Bowerman! Sign up here to get the ZOOM link: https://www.scoutingevent.com/082-earthday.

Tuesday April 21
12:00 PM Brown Bag – Hornaday Awards – an overview for youth and adults, Will Rodger, NCAC Conservation Committee Chair

Wednesday, April 22 – EARTH DAY!
Watch the NCAC Facebook page for updates, challenges and fun ways to celebrate!
9:00 AM: Facebook Live: Plan Your Earth Day
12:00 PM: Brown Bag – Hornaday Unit Awards, Sarah Holtz & Carol Brown, NCAC Conservation Committee
5:00 PM: Facebook Live: Earth Day Recap
7:00 PM: William T. Hornaday Gold Medal Talk

Thursday, April 23
12:00 NOON Brown Bag – Messengers of Peace Awards, Abdul Rashid Abdulla

Friday, April 24
12:00 NOON Brown Bag – Earning the World Conservation Award, Conservation Good Turn and National Park Service Junior Ranger Award, Sara Holtz, NCAC Conservation Committee

To learn more tune into one or all of our Facebook lives this week at 12pm. Visit Earthday.org to learn more about Earth day activities and more.

Special thank yous to two NCAC STEM Committee members, to the Conservation Committee Chair, Will Rodger, and Conservation Committee Members Sara Holtz, Carol Brown & Abdul Rashid Abdulla for pulling this together!