We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouts BSA

Summer Camp Planning: Introduction to Scouts BSA Summer Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation

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Summer camp is one of the highlights of the Scouting year. Goshen Scout Reservation (GSR) offers three resident camp opportunities for Scouts BSA Troops, and you’re invited to attend! Explore what GSR has to offer your Scouts, reflect why summer camp is a critical part of the Scouting experience, and learn how to register for 2026.

Miss the webinar? Watch the recording: https://youtu.be/j3gqi1l5kew

You can also download the slides from the webinar here: Introduction to Scouts BSA Summer Camp at Goshen Scout Reservation [PDF]

Looking for more resources, information, or registration links? Visit www.gotogoshen.org

Save the dates for upcoming webinars! All webinars are at 7pm Eastern Time.

For current Lions and Tigers (rising Tigers and Wolves)

Or others interested in Cub Scout Day Camp!

For current Bears/Webelos, Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts

For Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts

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!

NCAC 2024 Summer Camp Webinar: Scouts BSA

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March 20, 2024: Scouts BSA Summer Camp

Missed the webinar? You can view a recording of it below.

In this webinar, we go over the different summer camp options available for both Troops and individuals (provisional Scouts) at the various camps around NCAC – from Thurmont, MD to Haymarket VA to Goshen VA – and help unit leaders and parent/guardians prepare for the Scouts’ week at camp.

Download the slides from the webinar here: Scouts BSA Camp Webinar Slides [PDF]

Get more information on the various Scouts BSA Summer Camps:

If you missed the first webinar in the series on Cub Scout Summer Camp options, you can find that here: weownadventure.com/ncac-2024-summer-camp-webinar-cub-scouts/

The final webinar in the series will be on High Adventure on March 27 at 7pm ET. See our earlier post to register in advance: weownadventure.com/upcoming-webinar-series-summer-camp-2024/

Upcoming Webinar Series: Summer Camp 2024

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Join the staff of the NCAC Summer Camps and Programs for information webinars as you prepare for Summer Camp 2024. These webinars are a great orientation for new leaders, for units going to a camp that is new to them, or for returning leaders that want the latest update. There will be representation from Goshen Scout Reservation, Camp Snyder, District Day and Twilight Camps, Camp Catoctin BSA, and the NCAC High Adventure Committee’s contingents. Choose your summer adventure in 2024!

Webinars will begin at 7pm EDT.

March 13: Cub Scout Camps

Get the details on day camp and overnight camps for rising Tigers through rising Arrow of Light Scouts at Camp Snyder, Goshen’s Camp Ross, and District Day and Twilight Camps.

Register in advance: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Bzn-KlBWSZyvQ9laIPXFcw

March 20: Scouts BSA Camps

Get information about programs for both Troops and individuals at Goshen’s Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted; Goshen’s Provisional Camp program; Camp Snyder’s Specialty Weeks; and Camp Catoctin BSA.

Register in advance: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TukBbZKIRDutbMKudN8HTA

March 27: High Adventure

Looking for adventure? Get the information for Summer 2024 on trail and river treks at Goshen’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure and the trips to National High Adventure bases and more run by the High Adventure Committee.

Register in advance: https://ncacbsa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EUrauVjqS7yC9z-D1HXkAg

2024 NCAC Summer Camp Guide Now Available

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With the weather getting chilly, we can think fondly of summer camp and get excited for Summer 2024! Check out the 2024 NCAC Summer Camp Guide, available online.

www.ncacbsa.org/campguide

Find prices, dates, and details on all the National Capital Area Council Summer Camps for Summer 2024!

cub scout logo

Cub Scouts

Is your Scout going to be a rising Tiger, rising Wolf, Rising Bear, or rising Webelos or Arrow of Light? Find the Cub Scout Camp that’s right for your Scout!

Choose a local District Day and Twilight Camp for a wild time with the 2024 theme: Jungle Adventure.

Discover your powers and save the day at Camp William B. Snyder with the 2024 theme: Superheroes. Attend a Day Camp, stay overnight on a Resident Weekend, or join the staff for a special Family 4th of July Weekend.

Are your rising Webelos and AOL dens looking for a weeklong adventure? Camp Ross is Goshen Scout Reservation’s dedicated overnight camp. The theme this summer is Indiana Ross. Avoid traps, find clues, and fool villains in an adventurous week!

Scouts BSA

There are plenty of options for Scouts BSA – whether they have been in the Troop for a while or are going to be bridging in next spring. There are camps for both units and individuals.

Camps Bowman, Marriott, and Olmsted at Goshen Scout Reservation offer a variety of dining options, unique and favorite Merit Badges and activities, and exciting programs for new Scouts, older Scouts, and all the Scouts in between.

Finish out your summer with Camp Catoctin BSA’s expert Merit Badge counselors in mid-August.

Is your Scout not able to attend camp with their Troop? Are they looking for a second week? Check out our options for individual scouts! Goshen runs Provisional Camp each week and Camp Snyder has two different Scout Specialty Weeks with both overnight and day camp options.

Older Scouts, Venturers, & Sea Scouts

Need more adventure for older Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts? Sign your unit up for a backpacking & adventure activity trek or a river canoe trek at Goshen’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure.

Individuals can find adventure with a High Adventure Base Trip to Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base, and Lenhok’sin High Adventure with a council contingent run by the NCAC High Adventure Committee.

Order of the Arrow members should also check out GOAT, the Goshen Order of the Arrow Trail Crew, involving cheerful service on trail maintenance and a classic Lenhok’sin backpacking and activity trek at a reduced rate.

Those ages 14 and up who just cannot get enough summer camp should submit an application to join Summer Camp staff! Interviews will begin in January for the Summer 2024 season.

Be sure to check out the online 2024 NCAC Summer Camp Guide for all the details  and pictures of the possibilities for your summer! Get outdoors, have fun, and find your next summer adventure!

Visit the Summer Adventure page for information on all these camp options!

2023 Provisional Camps: Solo Summer Adventures

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Calling Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts! Want to attend camp? Is your unit going during a week that doesn’t fit your schedule? Need a second week of summer camp? Is your unit not doing a high adventure this year? A Provisional Summer Camp program could be the answer!

Provisional camp is a program offered to individual youth to attend summer camp on their own or in a small group without their unit and without having to bring their own adult leaders. Individuals form a Provisional Unit for the week, made up of other individual campers. Adult supervision is provided either by adult volunteers, camp staff, or a combination of both. In order to participate, youth need to be registered in Scouts BSA, Venturing BSA, or Sea Scouts BSA. Boys and girls are welcome! There is no minimum age requirement for standard camp programs, but most high adventure programs aimed at older scouts have a minimum age requirement.

National Capital Area Council offers a number of provisional summer camp experiences from standard summer camp experiences to backpacking and sailing high adventures. Check out the different options below!

Goshen Provisional Camp

At Camp Marriott, Goshen Scout Reservation
Make new friends as you enjoy all the activities – whether that is New Scout Quest for new scouts, Goshen Vets for older scouts, standard camp favorites like swimming and rifle shooting, or unique offerings at Eagle’s Eyrie and The Guild. Goshen Provisional Camp runs weekly, Saturday to Sunday, from June 25 thru July 29, 2023. Learn more at www.gotogoshen.org/provisional

Scouts BSA Specialty Week

At Camp Snyder
Attend as a day or overnight camper and get a chance to earn standard and specialized merit badges at some of the unique facilities, like the Woodshop. New scouts should check out the Green Bar Bill program to work on rank advancement. Specialty Week runs one week only, so don’t miss it! July 16 – July 22, 2023. Learn more at www.gotosnyder.org/summer-camp/specialty-week

High Adventure Council Contingents

The NCAC High Adventure Committee annually sponsors trips for individuals to National High Adventure bases including Philmont, Sea Base, and Northern Tier. Go backpacking in the Cimarron, sailing in the Caribbean, or canoeing in the Boundary Waters. Participants must be at least 14 years old. Dates vary.
Learn more at www.ncacbsa.org/high-adventure

Lenhok’sin Provisional Trail Trek

Find adventure at NCAC’s very own local high adventure base! Lenhok’sin offers backpacking with stops at outposts for adventure activities. Go stand-up paddleboarding, try your hand at blacksmithing, barter with the Mountain Man, and have other adventures. This trek is sponsored by the NCAC High Adventure Committee at Goshen Scout Reservation’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Participants must be age 13 or older. Offered one week only, so don’t miss it! July 2 – July 8, 2023. Learn more at www.gotogoshen.org/lenhoksin

Goshen Order of the Arrow Trail Crew

Join a crew of Order of the Arrow youth dedicated to cheerful service for a two week experience. The first week focuses on training and service. Learn about outdoor ethics and backcountry conservation as you apply your skills to the Lenhok’sin trail system. The second week is the full Lenhok’sin trail trek experience. Choose your outposts and enjoy the adventure at a reduced cost. Participants must be age 14 or older. GOAT runs June 18 – July 2, 2023. Learn more at wipit470.org/goat.html