We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouts BSA

Troop 50 Celebrates 25 Years

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On January 5th, 2019, a Patriot District Scouts BSA Troop celebrated a major milestone. Troop 50, chartered by Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Annandale, has been continuously chartered and active for more than a quarter of a century. The chartering in May 1993 launched a vibrant Troop known for producing 142 Eagle Scouts, for high-impact Eagle Projects throughout the local area, and for frequent high-adventure trips.

Their celebration featured a large display of historic photos, patrol flags, mementos, excerpts from past newsletters, and a slideshow. More than 230 current and former scouts and leaders and their families were in attendance, and the night was very lively. The event included a full dinner showcasing Dutch oven cobblers for dessert. Our current Scoutmaster and Committee Chair both welcomed the crowd and shared their reflections. The program paid special tribute to the founders who launched the Troop in 1993, and wrapped-up with the “Original Scoutmaster’s Minute” from founding Scoutmaster Dennis McFaden. He recalled both the principles that have shaped the Troop ever since, and some of the humorous moments from the early years. Of course, Scouts had a major role in the evening. The current SPL MC’d the program, and Troop historians presented the “Top Ten Moments” in Troop 50’s history. Five of our former Senior Patrol Leaders, and our current SPL organized a tribute to the Troop’s Scoutmasters. Of the ten Scoutmasters in Troop 50’s history, we were proud to have eight with us for this celebration. All the Troop 50 Eagle Scouts in attendance had the chance to re-connect, and lots of old friendships were re-kindled.

Troop 50 is going strong into its 26th year, and looks forward to celebrating more milestones, and more impacts on our scouts and our community, in the years ahead.

First recipients of the New Hornaday Unit Patch

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Congratulations to Pack 1530 in Powhatan District for being the first unit to earn the new NCAC Hornaday Unit award patch.

William T. Hornaday awards are given for distinguished service to natural resource conservation. The Hornaday Unit certificate is awarded to a pack, troop, crew or ship of five or more Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA Scouts, Venturers, or Sea Scouts for participating in a substantial conservation project. At least 60 percent of registered youth must participate. The Unit award may be awarded for participation in a Hornaday Badge or Medal project, for participation in an outside organization’s conservation project, or for a standalone project the unit planned and conducted on its own.

NCAC developed this new patch for the participants in Hornaday Unit award projects. It features the Smithsonian Castle and a bison because William T. Hornaday, a taxidermist for the Smithsonian, is credited with helping to prevent the extinction of the America bison.

Pack 1530 earned this prestigious conservation award by participating in Boy Scout John Foong’s Hornaday Badge project to remove invasive plant Japanese stiltgrass at Frying Pan Farm Park. Japanese stiltgrass is invasive because it is non-native, grows aggressively, and crowds out native plants. Pack 1530 Cub Scouts, scouters, alums, and family members helped over 100 other volunteers remove 110 large garbage bags of stiltgrass. In the spring, volunteers will help plant native shrubs and perennials on the site where the stiltgrass once lived. This project site is part of Fairfax County Park Authority’s Invasive Management Area (IMA) program.

For more information about Hornaday projects, please go to the NCAC Hornaday page (https://www.ncacbsa.org/advancement/awards-and-recognition/hornaday/). We strongly advise any scout interested in a Hornaday project or any unit interested in a Hornaday Unit award to identify a Hornaday Adviser to guide you through the process.

“Unusual prizes are won only by unusual service.”
– William T. Hornaday

“Very special thanks to our local Cub Scouts who participated in clean-ups. Your efforts will help the land to heal and provide a fresh landscape for native plants and animals to live. When we all pull together great things happen. May you all continue your wonderful work in conservation and thank you all so much from your friends at Frying Pan Farm Park.”
        – Patrick Macnamara, land manager at Frying Pan Farm Park

2019 Akela Chess Classic

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On Saturday, February 2 and Saturday, February 9 scouts from all over the National Capital Area Council competed in the Council’s five-round chess tournament, the Akela Chess Classic. The February 2nd event, held at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon, VA, was the Scouts BSA tournament, open to all scouts in troops, crews and ships. Seventeen scouts competed in two brackets: age 10-12 and age 13 and up. In the younger-scout bracket, one scout took first-place honors, with one scout finishing second, and three scouts finishing third. In the older-scout bracket one scout took first-place honors, with three scouts finishing second and three scouts finishing third. The first-place winner in each bracket finished with a perfect 5-0 score.

The February 9th event, held at St. Raphael School in Rockville, MD, was the Cub Scout tournament, open to all scouts in Cub Scout packs. Twenty-seven scouts competed in two brackets: Lion/Tiger/Wolf and Bear/Webelos/Arrow of Light, with awards given for first, second, or third by rank. One Tiger took part, winning first place for his rank. There were one first-place, two second-place, and one third-place finishers in the Wolf rank. For the Bear rank, one scout finished first, one finished second, and two finished third. The Webelos rank had five first-place finishers, three second-place finishers, and one in third place. Rounding out the tournament were one first-place Arrow of Light scout, one in second place, and three in third place. The first-place Wolf and Bear each had a perfect 5-0 score.

Each round of the Akela Chess Classic is limited to one hour, with touch-move rules in effect; under these rules if a player touches a piece he is obligated to move it. All participating scouts must know, in advance of the tournament, the rules of chess and how to play. The 2019 Cub Scout tournament was the 14th annual tournament, and the 2019 Scouts BSA tournament was the 8th annual tournament.

A fun and exciting time was had by all participating scouts. All are looking forward to the Akela Chess Classic next year!

Local Scout Hero – Cesar Casiano Awarded BSA National Award of Merit

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Cesar Casiano Awarded BSA’s National Award of Merit at Troop 317 Court of
Honor

On Tuesday, December 18, 2018, Boy Scout Cesar Casiano of Troop 317 was presented with the Boy Scout National Award of Merit by Norm Carter, Unit Commissioner and Mr. Lance Deffenbaugh, former Cubmaster and mentor. It took place at Troop 317’s Court of Honor held at Stafford County Christian Church.

The following information is from Fire and Rescue crews that responded to the incident:

At 2034 hours on July 14, 2018 Engine 12 from the Berea station responded to a fire reported out at 201 Spring Park Ln in the Rappahannock Landing Subdivision.  Upon arrival, Engine 12 discovered fire damage to the main structural member of a deck with no extension to the home.

Three neighborhood boys had been riding their bicycles in the subdivision when they noticed smoke coming from the back of the residence. They immediately sprang into action. The boys discovered the base of the deck on fire and saw a garden hose attached to the back of the house. Without hesitation, the boys grabbed the hose and extinguished the fire. They then alerted the homeowner of the incident who called 911.

Their quick action prevented the home from catching fire. The house in question was a townhouse connected to six other homes, so the boy’s actions contributed to saving several hundreds of thousands of dollars in property and possibly saving lives as well.

The homeowner had been cooking on his grill and believes that embers fell down to the base of his deck starting it on fire. The homeowner was unaware of the fire until he was alerted by the boys.

When asked about their decision to act, one of the boys, Cesar Casiano, replied: “I’m a Boy Scout, so we’re trained what to do.” The boys were commended for their actions and will each be put in for a civilian lifesaving award.

Good thing those Boy Scouts were there, well-trained and lived the motto to “Be Prepared!” Great examples for all other Scouts everywhere.

Scouts BSA at Summer Camp Livestream

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Thousands of girls registered in Scouts BSA will be participating in 2019 summer camps. To help you find out all you need to know to ensure you are ready for Family Scouting in the outdoors, BSA will be offering a livestream webinar on Monday, February 25th at 7pm CST (that’s 8 pm for those of us in the DMV). Best practices from around the country will be shared, as well as Q&A time with a panel of BSA professionals from the Scouts BSA program team, Youth Protection, and Outdoor Programs. Anyone serving in camp leadership this summer is invited to attend.  Mark your calendar and save this link to join the livestream broadcast.

https://livestream.com/bsa/ScoutsBSASummerCamp