We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouts BSA

Troop 1650 Webelos Crosses Over in the Canopy

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Former Webelos of Washington, D.C.Pack 1650, A. Harris, officially crossed over from the Pack to the Troop and is now on his way to ranking up in Boy Scouts. Mr. Harris also earned Arrow of Light- Cub Scouts’ highest distinction. A. Harris joins his brother C. Harris in the Troop. Mr. Harris was honored in a Court of Honor ceremony celebrating the many achievements and advancements earned by the Scouts over the summer. The occasion took place at The Adventure Park in Sandy Springs, Maryland. Known for aerial obstacle courses and zip line features, the park was a perfect backdrop to recognize the Scout’s accomplishments. The day also marked the first outdoor, in- person, meeting for the Pack and Troop since March. After the Court of Honor, and an initial orientation, the Scouts spent the next 3 hours scaling new heights and overcoming challenges high in the canopy of the trees. The Scouts helped one another and pushed each other to reach the various levels of the course. A good day was had by all. Many of the Scouts even said they would like to return to the park soon!

From US to Afghanistan: Scouts Celebrate International Day of Peace

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Afghanistan. A country torn for decades by conflict, where thoughts of peace seem to drift ever out of reach. Yet, in the eyes of PARSA Afghan Girl Scout Troop 2 and Afghan Boy Scout Troop 36, hope of peace is alive. Hope is thriving in fact, as their passion for peace drives their unwavering energy to provide a wide range of social outreach and service projects in their communities.

On September 21, 2020, PARSA Afghan Scouts Troops 1 and 36, and Burke VA BSA Scout Troop 1345 met via Zoom under the banner of International Peace Day. The groups have met once before. They initially came together through the outreach of Marine Lieutenant Colonel Natalie Trogus who built bridges with the young women of Troop 1 while deployed to Kabul Afghanistan. LtCol. Trogus has a daughter in Troop 1345G.

Both troops were excited to attend the meeting, even as they navigated the challenges we’ve all faced lately…getting a stable internet connection. Their meeting covered four key topics: “What does peace mean to you and your country?”, “Can sports be a bridge to peace?”, “How has covid-19 impacted your world and scouting?”, and “How has scouting impacted what your passions, views, and leadership skills look like?”

Carter H, the Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 1345B shared a vision of peace where citizens “rely on each other and support each other through the good and the bad things.” The Afghanistan Scouts shared their vision of a peace, where everyone comes together and assists in shaping and rebuilding their country in a climate of mutual respect. The Afghanistan Scouts routinely take on service projects to provide food and other necessities to those in their community that need assistance.

Autumn D, the Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 1345G, found this opportunity incredibly important because, “I got to see a different story of Scouting, one on the other side of the world. Seeing girls in the Afghanistan troop like me was inspiring. Learning about their challenges, how they lead in a difficult time, and how much service was at the center of their scouting experience, I found it truly special.”

Burke Troop 1345 and PARSA Afghanistan Troops 1 and 36 are committed to building bridges with each other even if those bridges cross electronic pathways. Both troops are committed to spreading peace in their communities.

Plan to have FUN at the Webelos/Scout EXPO

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There will be guaranteed FUN for Webelos and Scouts BSA who attend the November 20-22 Exposition at Camp Snyder! The FUN includes family camping, program activities lead by volunteers and self-guided activities each family can do on its own.

Climb the Scouterhorn, shoot an air rifle, try your hand at archery, fly or drive a drone, create your own leatherwork article, build a toolbox or birdhouse in the Woodshop, or “walk on water” at the STEM station. Plus, learn all about the 2021 Summer Camps at Camp Snyder and Goshen Scout Reservation. And, on your own, roast marsh mellows at your personal campfire, fish (they’re biting!), bike (bring yours and a helmet), try a Nature Scavenger Hunt or find trinkets while Geocaching. There is more to do than you have time!

Don’t delay in registering because space is limited. We are limiting the number of campers and using an appointment system for the program activities as part of our COVID-19 virus precautions. Learn about all the virus health precautions we are taking when you register at https://scoutingevent.com/082-2020SnyderFallFamilyCamping

See you at Camp Snyder this Fall!

Troop 1577 Enjoys Canoe Day at Lake Audubon

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Sixteen Scouts and six adults did a canoeing “micro-outing” at Lake Audubon in Reston. This is part of the Troop’s efforts to get Scouts outside while social distancing. We created the idea of a “micro-outing” which is a short outing closer to home to avoid carpooling.

It took a lot of work by Scouts and adults to get to this point. It involved organizing swim tests, gathering health forms, fixing the canoe trailer and doing a test micro-outing three weeks ago. But all that work means our troop is now ready to more easily do more micro-outings – both with canoeing and other themes.

Photos by Bill Wacek and Carla Brown

Troop 1577 Holds Socially-Distanced Court of Honor Outside

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Troop 1577 held its first socially distanced Court of Honor this week – outside in our parking lot. Four Eagles had their Eagle Court of Honor as well.

The event took place in the evening as it got dark, so we had a campfire in a Solo Stove along with many lanterns and head lamps. A Scout broadcasted the ceremony over Zoom for families who preferred to attend virtually. A presentation showing the awards was projected onto the brick wall of Trinity Presbyterian.

Families were assigned a parking spot where they would sit together on blankets or in chairs they brought. As Scouts were recognized, they stood up in their parking spot.

During the Eagle Court of Honor, the Scouts spread out across the space. Their parents were invited up to receive their parent pins. Mentors received their pins on a piece of card stock. The Scouts received their Eagle staffs handmade and customized for them. A family brought enough packages of cupcakes for every family to take one home.

We introduced a new type of award called the Firestarter Award. This is to recognize the many innovations that people have contributed during social distancing. We hope this will encourage even more Troop members to get creative when things get complicated. The description of this award is “The Firestarter Award is for Scouts and adults to see something that can be improved about how we run our troop, and they create a special project to test ideas for how to make it better. They create a team of people to help. They invent something new. Their invention reduces work for Scouts in the future, makes Scouting more fun, or helps us learn something new. We call it the firestarter award because we view the Scouting program as the firewood – it has all the fuel we need to create a great experience for Scouts. But without a spark and a firestarter to get the fire going, the fire will go out.”

Recipients of the Firestarter Awards did projects such as completely cleaning out the equipment shed, reaching out to mulch customers when our mulch fundraiser was cancelled due to the pandemic, facilitating our first ever virtual First Year Scout program, redesigning our website, running swim tests for more than 40 Scouts and adults at a local outdoor pool in a socially distanced way and more. Of course the award took the form of – a bag of firestarters.

We are proud of our Scouts and adults who are finding ways to reinvent our processes can still enjoy Scouting together both in-person and virtually. We know it is making a big difference in the health of our Scouts so they stay “physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

Photos by Ed Medvid and Carla Brown

NCAC Scout Earns National Eagle Scout of the Year Runner Up!

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The American Legion offers a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education. To be eligible for the American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year award, some of the requirements include: being an Eagle Scout; having received the appropriate Boy Scout religious emblem; having demonstrated practical citizenship in church, school, Scouting and community; and reached the age of 15 and enrolled in high school at time of selection.

Noah Ventura of Mt. Vernon, VA is the 2020 American Legion’s National Eagle Scout of the Year Runner-Up.

Ventura, is a high school Senior at Gonzaga College High School. He is the Veterans Foreign Wars (VFW) Virginia Eagle Scout of the Year and American Legion Virginia Eagle Scout of the Year. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in January 2017 and was inducted in the NCAC Youth Leadership Society in 2019. Noah Ventura is also an Eagle Scout with Crew 1022/Troop 1509. Other achievements for Ventura include Order of the Arrow (OA) Virginia Central Area Section Chief, OA Golden Tooth Recipient, Vigil Honor Member, National Youth Leadership Training Senior Patrol Leader, and Congressional Bronze Award. He has a strong interest in STEM and has earned the BSA Supernova Awards; Thomas Edison (2017), Dr. Bernard Harris Award (2015) and William H. Townes Award (2013).

The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year will receive a $10,000 scholarship. As the American Legion, Eagle Scout of the Year Runner Up Noah will receive a $2,500 scholarship.