We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouts BSA

Troop 440 Donates 220 Bag Lunches to Homeless Shelter

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On April 8th, in the day and age of social distancing, our Troop (individually and in their own homes) prepared 220 bag lunches for Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring, MD for “OPERATION SANDWICH.” 

Shepherd Table’s mission is to provide help to people who are homeless or in need by providing basic services, including meals, social services, medical support, clothing, and other assistance in an effective and compassionate manner.

Troop 440 had one Parent/Scout do all the shopping, sorting and delivering of supplies (to porches) and then another Parent/Scout collected the completed lunches from their fellow Scout’s porches the following afternoon and delivered the lunches to Shepherd’s Table. Almost 75% of our Troop families participated and the whole thing was completed in just over 24 hours! Remember a Scout is Helpful.

From Afghanistan to America: How Two Scout Troops Reached Across Cultures

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What happens when you put two Scout Troops from across the globe together with an internet connection and a combined desire to learn and engage? You get an amazing dialogue of discovery and a realization that as Scouts, they’re more alike than different.

Earlier this month, Scouts from Troop 1345G in Burke Virginia met over video with Scouts from Troop 2 in Kabul Afghanistan to learn, share, and discover. In that 90 minutes over webcams, microphones, and videoconferencing app Zoom, they learned so much of not only what makes them so different but also what makes them so similar.

The special meeting, organized by one of the Troop 1345G’s First Class Scouts, was inspired by Lt Col Natalie Trogus of the United States Marine Corps and Kabul-based nonprofit, PARSA, who led the effort starting in 2008 to restore the Scouting movement in Afghanistan following years of conflict. Lt Col Trogus, currently deployed in Kabul as a Gender Advisor to the Afghan Ministry of Defense, is a parent of one of Troop 1345G’s Star Scouts and serves as one of the Troop’s Assistant Scoutmasters.

Aided by an interpreter, the Scouts shared examples of each country’s traditions, values, and holidays. They spoke about favorite foods and hobbies, about school subjects and sports. The struggled a bit with unfamiliar expressions and explaining traditional foods but soon realized they had so much in common.

You see, as Scouts under the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), these young women in Afghanistan and the United States are both learning and experiencing the essence of Scouting. Over the course of the meeting, they quickly recognized Scouting in both countries focus on life skills, environmental conservation, service to community, and leadership. They learned that they all work on merit badges and strive toward similar advancements and ranks. They could see that their uniforms were more similar than different.

They also realized that despite the different languages and cultures, they share the values and passions of Scouting.

The connection across these two Troops is just starting, with traditional recipes being shared and relationship starting to form, both Troops plan to stay in touch. Through events such as the worldwide Jamboree on the Internet and on future videoconferences, these two sets of young women will continue to break down national and cultural barriers all under the umbrella of Scouting.

About Scouting in Afghanistan

Scouting is a tradition in Afghanistan which goes back nearly 90 years. At its height, there were over 36,000 Afghan youth actively participating in troops around the country, however the program disappeared after the Soviet invasion of 1979 and subsequent years of conflict. Fast- forward to 2008, when the movement was relaunched by a group of dedicated Afghans leaders working together under the guidance of a local nonprofit called PARSA. PARSA raised funds to start two troops in local Kabul orphanages, and the modern Afghan Scouts were born.

Today, PARSA’s Afghan Scouts have over 2,000 youth active in 18 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. In January 2020, Afghanistan rejoined the World Scout Movement as the 171st member, which sets the stage for the Afghan Scouts to become the primary youth leadership program in the country. Their goal is to have 100,000 Afghan youth participating in Scouting by 2030.

Afghan Scout troops are led by enthusiastic volunteer Scout Masters who are trained by senior PARSA Scouts and supported by WOSM. Scouts participate in similar activities to their peers around the world: troops meet weekly, earn merit badges, host an annual Camporee in the summer, and conduct regular community service activities such as tree planting, distributing cloth shopping bags as part of the “Say No to Plastic” campaign, donating libraries and science laboratories to local schools and orphanages, and distributing care packages to hospitals.

About Scouts BSA Troop 1345G 

Scouts BSA Troop 1345G, sponsored by the Burke Centre Conservancy, was founded in February 2019, following the announcement from Boy Scouts of America that girls were permitted to become full participants in the BSA program. The all-female Troop follows the same curriculum and leadership model as Boy Scouts of America has for over 100 years. The troop is led by the girls, elected by their peers and mentored by adult leaders, and focuses on adventure, leadership, learning and service. Girls will also be able to earn the well-respected Eagle Scout award.

In the year since its founding, the Scouts of Troop 1345G have backpacked, canoed, climbed, swam, and volunteered their way on the journey towards Eagle Scout, all under the historic Boys Scouts of America program. Scouts BSA is a year-round program for youth 11-17 years old that provides fun, adventure, learning, challenge, and responsibility to help them become the best version of themselves.

Troop 976 Take Virtual Meetings in Stride

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Following the words of the Boy Scout motto to “Be Prepared”, Troop 976 of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, Va did just that and more this week. In this time of uncertainty and social-distancing due to the coronavirus, the leadership and scouts of Troop 976 rallied to continue with their regularly scheduled Wednesday evening Troop meetings. Instead of holding a meeting as they usually do in the Counsel Room at OLGC they took it online!

On Wednesday March 11th 27 Scouts of Troop 976 utilized online video teleconferencing via Zoom to participate in their meeting. This inaugural approach went extremely well keeping the Troop not only on schedule but connected with one another. Scoutmaster Abe Bacarra set up the teleconference and laid out ground rules with the Scouts at the start to help the boys understand Zoom’s features and to also help in keeping the meeting under control. For example, virtual handraising was one of the many areas instituted with the boys to insure a forum where each boy could follow the discussion and also participate.

As moderator, Mr. Bacarra had planned initially for a 10 -15 minute virtual Troop meeting to see if the approach was even viable but their meeting lasted for 45 minutes and could have gone longer. The Scouts were not only engaged but excited to be continuing in some format with their normal routines. The Scouts followed a pre-set agenda that was listed on screen. An unexpected side benefit emerged in that there was even more participation than usual from the younger scouts as the format seemed to help with any hesitation to participate.

“The Scouts took the virtual meeting in stride,” Scoutmaster Abe Bacarra said. “I think this is indicative of their generation where they have been exposed to computing/mobile devices from an early age. The virtual meeting is in line with current distance learning efforts. The boys are so adept with this technology that they may be helping their parents setup Webex and Zoom sessions for their office meetings.”

Due to the great success of the meeting last Wednesday the Troop plans to continue using the online format for their weekly Troop meetings as long as social distancing is necessary. In fact, Troop elections for Scout leadership positions are scheduled for next week and will continue now online. The Scouts are not the only ones going online. On the same night the Troop’s adult comprised Committee meeting led by Committee Chair Pete Thiringer took place via teleconference as well. Even more, there are plans already in process to hold virtual scout Boards of Review (needed for rank advancement) next week. Troop 976 is not only remaining “Prepared” but keeping their close connections during these unprecedented times.

Life Scout Donates to Fisher House Foundation

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My son, Andre Jackson is a Life Scout with Troop 29 (Patuxent District) has recently donated greatly needed items to the Fisher House Foundation at Andrews Joint Airforce Base on Friday, March 13th. His Eagle Service Project campaign, “Helping Those Who Help Others” for the benefit of the Fisher House Foundation, collection drive ran from January 31, 2020, and ended on March 13th, 2020. He collected donations from his Troop family, neighbors, his classmates at the Lab School of Washington and his church member at Largo Community Church. He collected and donated the following items:

106 Rolls of Paper Towels 
40 Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
39 Hand Sanitizers ( 4 – 32-ounce bottles, 20 – 8-ounce bottles, 7 – 12-ounce bottles, and 8 – 2-ounce bottles) 
189 K-cups assorted coffees and teas
26 Hot Chocolate packets
45 Cheez-it Snacks
42 Snack Pack Assorted Chips
30 Frito Lay Baked Mix Chips
36 Pringles Variety Pack Chips
36 Quater Chewy Bars
64 Soft Chewy Granola Bars
18 Breakfast Bars
48 Nabisco Nutter Butter Cookies
24 Animal Cracker snack packs
4 packs of Reynolds wrap
2 20-bags Quart size storage
2 13-bags tall Kitchen
4 V05 Shampoos (15 oz/each)
2 Tides Liquid Detergent

In the middle of his service project, the Coronavirus 19 news broke here in America and affected the amounts of donations, especially the Clorox Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers. Ms. Veronica Harris, who is the house manager at Fisher House JAFB, was astonished at the amounts Clorox wipes and hand sanitizers Andre was able to collect. Her staff and she was so grateful to Andre achieving so much during the times when those items are sold out in the stores. I’m very proud of my son’s effort and dedication to helping others. He is a leader in his Troop and his school as the vice president of the student body at Lab School of Washington.

Today, he is adjusting to the new reality the Coronavirus 19 has caused such as distance learning from home and his plans to complete his Eagle Board of Review this next month. He has been a blessing helping out with cooking for his grandparents who live with us and keeping them calm during the pandemic. I wanted to share his completed service project and pictures of his journey towards his Eagle Rank to bring joy during these trying times. He cannot wait until this crisis is over so we can meet face-to-face with his troops, friends, classmates and other family members. Funny thing, yesterday he actually told me he misses going to school and seeing his classmates.

Virtual Patrol Meetings Keep Scouts Happy, Healthy, and Active

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Scouts just like to interact with and talk to their buddies, especially in Patrol Meetings. Troop 581 in Gainesville, VA found out that Virtual Patrol Meetings give Scouts an opportunity to do just that, whether they are miles apart or just around the block. On-line patrol meetings can also provide a sense of normalcy and structure when the world seems out of control with school closures, event cancellations, extreme toilet paper buying, food stockpiling, and a general doubt of what the future holds during the pandemic.  This article will provide you with the tools and preparedness necessary to trek into the wilderness of on-line “Virtual Patrol Meetings” using any Smart Phone, Tablet, or PC; and any one of many free or inexpensive App and on-line video conferencing services.

Just like beginning any expedition, planning is needed and you need to pack wisely. Your virtual Patrol Meeting essentials must include the following.

  1. A day and time; probably the same day and time of your Troop meetings since they have been cancelled, but any appropriate day and time will work.
  • Two Deep Leadership; I know, this should have been #1 but you only need Two Deep Leadership once you have set a day and time. Per current BSA policy you must provide Two Deep Leadership at all times, even on-line, for youth protection and Scout safety! Find another registered adult with current YPT training and have then join you for all virtual Patrol Meetings.  If they support a patrol, you may need to be their second leader for that Patrol’s meetings.  Remember, Teamwork makes the Dream Work.  Your Scoutmaster can probably also act as your second leader, if needed.
  • Approvals; yes you will need to obtain approval from your Scoutmaster.  He/she needs to make sure there are no conflicting Troop virtual activities planned and also ensure YPT is followed.  Your Scouts will also need their parents’ approval to go on-line and participate, they may also need to borrow their parents’ Smart Phone, Tablet, or PC.
  • Mentoring; as a Scout leader you will have to more closely mentor your Scouts, Patrol Leader, and Assistant Patrol Leader so they can successfully navigate their way through the virtual wilderness.  You will likely have to help coordinate the first few meetings and establish a basic agenda that includes a few minutes at the beginning of the meeting for the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath/Law, Announcements, training/guidance; and few minutes at the end of the meeting for reflection, closure, and a Scoutmaster Minute if he/she attends the meeting. A Patrol needs to be Scout led, but an active adult mentor can turn a good patrol into a great Patrol!
  • A plan;  if possible work with your Patrol Leader and his/her parents to setup a plan and agenda for the next few meetings. Keep YPT requirements in mind when communicating with Scouts.  If it is not feasible to coordinate with them then come up with a basic plan and agenda that can be adjusted by the Scouts once they start the meetings. Plan for meetings to last 40-60 minutes, reserve the first 10-20 minutes as recommended in the mentoring section for gathering/opening activities, let Scouts use 20-30 minutes however they want or maybe for Patrol level merit badge sessions, and reserve the last 5 minutes for an appropriate closing prayer, reflection, and/or Scoutmaster Minute.    
  • Communications; Scouts will only attend a virtual patrol meeting if they know about it, so be sure to send an email to all the Scouts and their parents informing them of the meetings and provide them with all the information they need to join the meetings.  A well-organized and mentored Patrol Leader should be able to do this themselves.  Also, call the parents of the Scouts and encourage them to help their Scouts attend these meetings.  Post the virtual patrol meetings on the Troop calendar.
  • On-line/Virtual Meeting Tool or App; Troop 581 decided to use the “Zoom” App and on-line service because it met most of our needs, is free/inexpensive, and easy to use; but there are plenty of options available such as Google Hangouts, Cisco WebEx, Microsoft Teams, and GoToMeeting.  Zoom’s free account does limit you to 40 minute meetings with no more than 100 attendees, but 40 minutes is plenty of time for an on-line patrol meeting and your patrol should be way less than 100 Scouts.  If you prefer additional features there are options for paid subscriptions too.  Zoom, and all these services, are easy to use and works on a broad range of devices.  Smart Phones and Tablets need to download an App; but PCs only need to have access to the internet.  Regardless of the service you decide to use, all attendees will join the meeting by clicking a link you send them via email and/or post on your Troop Calendar. 

The wilderness can be daunting, but keep on pioneering, once you plan and execute your first Virtual Patrol Meeting the rest will be easy.  If you decide to use Zoom, they have setup a special pandemic web page to help first time users get started.  Just click this link.  https://zoom.us/docs/en-us/covid19.html?_ga=2.15983094.1529393031.1584618073-1042641212.1584618073

Now that you are prepared, have a plan, and packed the essentials it’s time to start your expedition into the on-line wilderness!  Along the way you can easily play Kim’s Game, do an on-line in-home scavenger hunt, work on some advancement/merit badge requirements, plan your next outing for when the pandemic is over, and conduct start-stop-continue discussions as part of your “Virtual Patrol Meetings”.  You should encourage Scouts to wear their Class B Activity Uniforms during virtual meetings, or choose to follow the World Scout Organization’s example of just wearing their neckerchief and slide.  Don’t forget about Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) coming up the first weekend in April, it’s a great opportunity to communicate with Scouts all over the world.

Be safe and keep scouting!

David Adam Atwell

Assistant Scoutmaster

Troop 581 – Prince William District

The Show Must Go On!

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In response to the COVID -19 pandemic, the George Mason District had to cancel its Merit Badge day. Saturday was a glorious day out and most Scouts probably went out and enjoyed the early spring day.

Most Dads too, but not mine. He had plans to do “distance learning.” He wanted to hold a virtual Public Speaking merit badge class. He quickly sent out an email that Friday to the Scouts and parents registered and organized a class for the next morning at 8:30 am! He looked at me and said, “I’ll fix you breakfast and you can handle all my technology needs right!” I said,” its not complicated Dad, but why so early? You know I’m done with my requirements.” He said, “it will be a good learning experience!”

He got 8 Scouts to join him and we completed our requirements. We heard speeches on the Civil War, Sailing, Joseph Stalin and the Gulag, The M-16 in Vietnam, Homer, Socialization and its impact on Capitalism in America, and many other great topics. We learned about how to prepare a speech, over come nerves, and had alot of impromptu speeches about the novel coronus virus. We talked about our favorite foods and favorite classes At school.

Finally we discussed the importance of Parliamentary procedures and reviewed a quiz my dad sent out to all of us Scouts.

My dads a great nerd, but I’m glad he did the online session. We learned alot and had fun. It was a different kind of audience but I think it will help me in the future. My PLC and I will try to use the same tech to organize our next troop meeting so we can stay engaged, active and safe in Scouting.