We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouts BSA

Troop 648 earns the National Outdoor Challenge Unit Award!

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This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image4.jpegTroop 648 had a great year of outdoor adventures in 2019. We participated in many Chain Bridge District events (Camporee, Klondike Derby, Projectoree), local camping trips, and three high adventure trips (two crews to Seabase and another crew sent to Philmont). Scouts also earned many outdoor related merit badges and conducted a Leave No Trace program.

The Troop memorialized all these activities by earning the National Outdoor Challenge Unit Award for 2019. See: https://www.scouting.org/awards/awards-central/national-outdoor-challenge/ This is an easy award to earn if your Troop has an active outdoor program and good record-keeping. You can fill out the application and send it to Craig Weston, Chair, Camping and Outdoor Program Committee. See: https://www.ncacbsa.org/council-committees/outdoor-adventuring/camping/. After you earn the award you can purchase a nice ribbon for the Troop.

Troop 1140 & Pack 1140 Celebrate Scout Sunday at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church

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This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is scout-sunday-1-1-1024x790.jpgMany gathered in reverence to Scout Sunday at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. BSA Troop 1140-B, Pack 1140 and GSA Troops 4001 & 52054, both sponsored by Kirkwood participated in the day’s events.

The units provide all of the Greeters, Ushers, Acolytes, Lay Readers, Charter Presenters, a Musician, and 3 out of the 4 units had a Presenter discussing what that unit did in the previous year (usually a youth).This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is scout-sunday-5-1.jpegThis image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is scout-sunday-2-2-1024x498.jpgThis image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is scout-sunday-4-1-1024x964.jpgThis image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is scout-sunday-3-2-1024x622.jpgOther units who were represented by members of Kirkwood’s congregation were Troops 1345-G, 1849-B, 1853-G, & 1865-G and Crew 1620.This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is scout-sunday-7-1-768x1024.jpgWe also had members attend services at their own place of Worship. If you attended services at your place of worship please inform Scoutmaster Huggins of Troop 1140 at Scoutmaster@troop1140.org  !

Help NCAC Celebrate 100 Years of Camping!

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The Council celebration of 100 years of NCAC summer camps is well underway, as we continue to celebrate the opening of Camp Roosevelt on the Maryland western shore as our first council summer camp in 1919!

To honor the long history of summer camping in the Council and to highlight the importance of the outdoors to the growth and development of Scouts, throughout 2020 we are encouraging Families, Webelos, Scouts, Venturers, Explorers and Sea Scouts to get involved by attending a camp (or cruise) overnight —- for a weekend or for a week (or two) at one of our summer camps!

Here’s what happening in the coming weeks:

  • Districts can hand out the free Camping Centennial Logo patch to those who attend the District Klondike Derby or Winter Camporee. Contact your District Executive before the event.
  • New to Scouting or camping and want to learn what gear you need and where to go? Sign up for Course ELC135 “Camping Opportunities in the NCAC” at the University of Scouting on February 29th.
  • Also, at the University of Scouting, take a walk-through history! Stop by the midway area to view displays of rare council camping memorabilia dating back over the past century.

Visit gotogoshen.org/summercamp or gotosnyder.com/summercamp and register today!

Stay tuned to WeOwnAdventure to learn about future special events and commemorative merchandise.

Troop 893G Builds an Awesome Klondike Derby Sled

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In  preparation for their first Klondike Derby competition, Scouts from Troop 893G came out to Michael’s Woodshop to construct their sled. The Scouts received a safety briefing and were provided instruction and guidance from a volunteer Shop Steward as well as from fellow Scouts with prior woodworking experience. The Scouts were able to learn and apply many useful woodworking skills; measuring & marking, drilling, gluing and clamping. They demonstrated that “a Scout is Thrifty” by using reclaimed redwood from an old swing set to build their sled. They also displayed great teamwork and were able to work from their concept drawing and raw materials to a substantially completed sled in just a few hours.

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On January 18, the Troop competed in the Sully Distict Klondike Derby held at Camp Snyder. They had an impressive performance, taking second place in their first Klondike Derby competition. What an awesome team! Let their fellow competitors beware – Troop 893G already has their sights set on coming in first at next year’s event.

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Looking for a great place to hold your own team building event? Michael’s Woodshop is a well-outfitted shop with the tools, equipment and plenty of work space for Scouts to create and learn. The shop may be reserved for Unit activities (all age groups), District events, Eagle Scout projects and other Scouting activities. Our volunteer Shop Stewards are all experienced woodworkers and are available to assist you in planning and carrying out a successful event.

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For information about shop capabilities, upcoming events or reserving the shop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop page on the Camp Snyder website. You may also email questions and requests to MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

2020 Potomac District Klondike Derby

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Another Potomac District Klondike Derby is in the books. For Troop 447 from Rockville, Potomac District, this will be one to remember. Not for the heavy rain on Friday which soaked most of the tents and even some sleeping bags and clothes, not for the muddy field and falling temperatures, not for the close to freezing temperature on Saturday night, but for an entire year of preparing for this event paying off beyond expectation.

The Gravediggers team, led by ASPL Bryson, won 1st place overall, ultimately decided by them earning 1st place in the Dutch oven dessert contest. The Roadkill team, led by SPL Vincent earned 2nd place overall and Patrol Leader Austin of the Gravediggers team won the Klondike Derby Patch design competition. Troop 447 also had no less than 3 skits approved to be featured at the camp fire, with fantastic responses from the estimated 1,000 strong audience.

More important than all these accolades, the Scouts from Troop 447 learned what hard work on Scout skills throughout the year, respect for each other and other Troops, and working as a team can accomplish. At the Klondike Derby, points are awarded per station not only for the skills, but also for teamwork, respect and Scout spirit. All these qualities should be found in our Scouts, and in our Scouters.

As a first year Scoutmaster, I am beyond proud that “my” Scouts, performed so well, encouraging each other, helping each other and working together on that common goal; “to do my best”. The Troop’s PLC, in their annual planning meeting, set a solid foundation for the Klondike Derby, by scheduling Scout skills in the weekly meetings, combined with more Klondike specific meetings leading up to the event, with senior Scouts helping younger Scouts to master various skills. What more could I ask for?

A huge shout out to first time Potomac District Klondike Derby Director Steve Salaj and his team of about 200 volunteers, for a fantastic organization of this event hosting over 1,000 Scouts and Scouters from the National Capital Area Council.