Mallard ducks and other waterfowl lay their nests on the ground near the edge of water, making them very vulnerable to predators like fox or raccoons. Some estimate nesting success as low as 10 percent for ground nests. Eagle Scout candidate Tapp Rhoads wanted to increase those odds, so he and his fellow Scouts from Ashburn’s Troop 997 spent a weekend building and installing mallard duck nesting tubes all around the Ashburn Farm area, helping protect eggs and ducklings until they’re able to fend for themselves. Nesting tubes of the design Tapp and his Troop have built are generally thought to increase nesting success by up to 80%. The tubes can be repaired and refurbished every year, making the project both near-term impactful and long-term sustainable.
With over 70% of Troop 997’s Scouts participating in the project and an ongoing outreach and education program, the Troop may also be eligible for the prestigious Hornaday Unit Award, one of the most coveted of environmental and conservation awards of the Boy Scouts of America.
From Tapp Rhoads:
My Name is Tapp Rhoads. I am a Stone Bridge High School sophomore and Eagle Scout candidate leading Scouts BSA Troop 997 in a conservation effort benefiting the Ashburn Virginia area. A crew of over 30 Troop 997 Scouts and I recently participated in a project to build and place mallard nesting tubes throughout the Ashburn Farm community.
The Hornaday medals are named to honor William T. Hornaday, noted conservationist who founded the National Zoo in Washington DC, and whose wildlife efforts are widely viewed to have helped saved the American Bison from extinction. Hornaday medals are given only to individuals who perform projects of significance in the areas of conservation and environmental awareness. The Hornaday Unit Award can only be earned by a Scouts BSA Troop when a high proportion of the Troop’s Scouts participate in an environmental project of substance that sustainably addresses an environmental or conservation issue, including educational elements for both the Scouts and the public at large.
After Troop youth leaders reviewed the legacy of William T. Hornaday and his awards at a recent Troop meeting, I outlined the project, including reviewing the conservation problems being addressed, the design and construction plans for the nesting tubes, and the planned installation locations. Mallard ducks and other waterfowl generally lay their eggs on the ground near water, making the eggs and later the hatchlings susceptible to predators. Nesting tubes provide a safe shelter to protect the young ducklings until they can fend for themselves.
I have worked closely with Chip Matthews of the Ashburn Farm HOA on the design of the mallard nesting tubes and mapping out the placement locations. While the initial project was completed in early March, I plan on leading annual maintenance and repair efforts, providing Troop 997 with conservation service opportunities for years to come.
Terry Kolb, Scouts BSA Troop 997’s Scout Master, and Paul Lynch, the Troop’s Senior Patrol Leader, are working with me to integrate the Hornaday Unit Award requirements with his Eagle project.
“We are excited about helping Tapp see his Eagle project to its conclusion, and about his willingness to combine his efforts with the attempt by our Troop to earn the Hornaday Unit Award,” said Scout Master Kolb.
“This has been a rare undertaking, and I’m proud of the massive support we’ve seen by Troop 997 Scouts,” added SPL Paul Lynch.
Scouts BSA Troop 997 is chartered by St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Ashburn, Virginia, and meets there on Thursday nights at 7 PM. For more information, please contact Scout Master Terry Kolb at tkolb118@gmail.com.
This story has been updated from its original post with the addition of Tap Rhoads’ personal account.
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.
Virginia offers lots of different license plates: for colleges, for military branches, even for the Harley Owners Group. How about one for Eagle Scouts? Maryland has one, shouldn’t Virginia? If you are an Eagle Scout with a vehicle registered in Virginia and would be interested, please fill out this form: 
Congratulations to Pack 1530 in Powhatan District for being the first unit to earn the new NCAC Hornaday Unit award patch.
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.
“Unusual prizes are won only by unusual service.”
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.
Cesar Casiano Awarded BSA’s National Award of Merit at Troop 317 Court of
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.