We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Scouts BSA

Microscope + Camping = FUN !!!

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Hey Scouts! Have you ever wondered what nature looks like under a microscope? What tiny creatures are in a drop of water? What a blade of grass or a leaf looks like when you get REALLY close to it? What the wings of a fly look like up close?

This summer you can explore nature with a folding microscope. When you Family Camp at either Goshen Scout Reservation or Camp Snyder, you will receive a free, 140 power magnification microscope so you can see nature in miniature.

Cubs, Webelos, Scouts BSA, Venturers and even Sea Scouts can sign up for Family Camping at Goshen Scout Reservation or Camp Snyder!

We look forward to seeing you at camp with your microscope!

Photo by: Magical Child Hood

Troop 1345 Continues Tradition of “Flags Along the Parkway”

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Scout BSA Troop 1345, sponsored by the Burke Centre Conservancy of Burke, VA, continues a twenty-year tradition of raising American flags along the Burke Centre Parkway in honor of Flag Day.

For nearly 40 years, Burke Centre Conservancy, a community of 5,800 homes in Fairfax County, has sponsored Scouts BSA Troop 1345 for boys; starting in 2019 they added Scouts BSA Troop 1345G for female members.  For more than 20 years the Troop has helped the community show its pride by setting up 30 American flags in the median along Burke Centre Parkway between Burke Lake Road and Oak Leather Drive on every Flag Day and other federal holidays.

Without any fanfare or attention, the Scouts quietly set up the flags early in the morning for the community to enjoy through the day. As the day winds down, the Scouts return to quietly pack the flags away for future display. Through rain, snow, and even social distancing, the Scouts have added a little bit of patriotism to this part of Fairfax County throughout the years.

Troop 1345 will continue the tradition this Flag Day because it is a way for them to demonstrate good citizenship in their community. As Troop 1345G Scoutmaster Kate Mattice says, “It just brightens the community – and perhaps provides some normalcy – during these times.”

With social distance guidelines still intact, outdoor events such as “Flags Along the Parkway” create opportunities for Scouts to stay active in the community while abiding by local safety rules.

Scoutmasters and Scouts from Troop 1345 on  Sunday, June 14, 2020, in the median along Burke Centre Parkway between Burke Lake Road and Oak Leather Drive Burke Centre Parkway between 8:30am and 9:00am participated in raising the flags. Scouts and Scoutmasters will return around 5:00pm to remove the flags for future display. Please join Troop 1345 and the city of Burke in their efforts to honor Flag Day by raising your American Flag today.

Countdown to The Memorial Day Weekend Capital Camp-In!

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It’s only a few days until we roll-out our sleeping bags, set up our tents, turn on our computers and kick-off a weekend of ACTIVITIES FOR SCOUTS OF ALL AGES – Cubs, Scouts BSA, Venturers, Sea Scouts, Adult Scouters and Parents!

The Capital Camp-In will have many of the same events as a regular campout – an opening and closing ceremony, a campfire lead by the Order of the Arrow, a Scouts Own religious service and FUN activities!

It will also have lotsa stuff you don’t get at a traditional campout, to include guest speakers and youth and adult instruction. And, you can share your at-home activities with others on Facebook!

Best of all its FREE and you don’t have to leave home! Some activities are self-guided and others are live on line. Participate all day Saturday and half of Sunday or for just in those events that interest you. All you need to do is sign up at the link provided for the particular event. It’s SIMPLE!

Find out more details and the full schedule on the Capital Camp-In website!

For updates please visit the Council’s Facebook page.

Don’t miss out! Join us at home and on line on May 23 and 24.

Brought to you by the NCAC Camping Centennial Committee.

Introducing the NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award!

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In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) is encouraging Scouts of all ages to stay home and be safe, while continuing to be a Scout! Scouts are always prepared to explore, discover, learn, and grow, and serve our families and communities, no matter the situation, time, or place. The NCAC Scouting at Home 2020 Award recognizes Scouts for meeting the challenge of living by the Scout Oath and Law while the pandemic requires social distancing to be in place.

Cub Scouts who meet specific requirements for home conservation and preparedness, learn about STEM, pursue a Cub adventure, learn Scouting skills, participate in a den virtual meeting, and participate in community service earn the Scouting at Home 2020 Award patch.

Youth in Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scouts who meet specific requirements for home conservation and preparedness, assist with a family virus prevention plan, make progress toward advancement, learn Scouting skills, take part in a Patrol virtual meeting, and participate in community service earn the Scouting at Home 2020 Award patch.

For specific details, to obtain the requirement sheets, or to pre-order patches, see https://www.scoutingevent.com/082-scoutingathomeaward.

U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton Joins Troop 1547 for Virtual Troop Meeting

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Troop 1547 was honored to have U.S. Rep Jennifer Wexton, who represents Virginia’s 10th District, join its most recent virtual troop meeting on May 4. The congresswoman talked to the troop about her job and answered questions such as her favorite part of her job, how often she is called to the House floor to vote and what motivated her to run for Congress.

“Rep. Wexton joining our meeting gave our Scouts an inside look at the legislative branch of our government on a national and state level as she’s served in both,” said Troop 1547 Senior Patrol Leader Kyle Hogan. “She answered many questions from Scouts, allowing them to learn about our national representatives in an interactive manner.”

Rep. Wexton encouraged the Scouts and all young people to be involved in their community, particularly when it comes to causes and issues important to them. She spoke about how her job allows her to interact with constituents as well as with leaders from across the country, and that members of Congress often work together on important issues.

The May 4th meeting was Troop 1547’s most recent weekly meeting held via Zoom. Attendance at virtual meetings has been the same and sometimes exceeds that of the troop’s in-person meetings prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The troop’s youth leadership changed right at the beginning of the pandemic in March.

“Taking on the responsibility of Senior Patrol Leader in the midst of a global pandemic is certainly a new challenge,” Kyle said. “Our virtual meetings don’t exactly follow the schedule of a typical meeting, which allows for more flexibility in our activities, but also more planning. Ensuring our scouts are learning and leading during this time has been challenging to coordinate and organize, but the results have been magnificent so far.”

Virtual meetings have included videos and presentations on knots, food safety and outdoor ethics. Kahoot games have been very popular. And a group of scouts led by the troop guide has been having weekly Zoom sessions with the scouts who crossed over recently to work on rank requirements.

Kyle also started a weekly photo contest for virtual meetings, with a theme each week such as nature for Earth week or cooking and a special topic for the May 4th meeting: Star Wars.

“Giving our Scouts a weekly photo contest has been a great way to keep them active and thinking, as they have to come up with new ways to innovate on the given prompt,” Kyle said. “The submissions are voted on by the other Scouts in real time, so they need to impress each other to win the week. The reward is a special role in our Troop Discord server, showing them their permanent bragging rights. It’s all done in good fun and an attempt to keep our Scouts active.”

For the Star Wars photo contest, Scouts sent in photos featuring light sabers and lots of LEGO. Kyle’s brother Connor was voted as the winner for his photo titled, “Encounter on the Moon of Endor.”

2021 Jamboree, THE MOST EXCITING JAMBOREE EVER!

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Scouting’s flagship event is a gathering of thousands of Scouts and Scouters that showcases everything that is great about the Boy Scouts of America. Over the course of 10 days, once every four years, the Boy Scouts of America gathers together. Scouts and Scouters who attend will participate in many adventures—stadium shows, pioneer village, hikes, sports and more! With 10,000 acres at the Summit to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to build Scouting memories.

National Jamboree is the best of Scouting rolled into 10 days of friends, fun and adventure! Get ready to Face the Challenge and sign up to attend the Jamboree!

Scouting’s PREMIER High Adventure experience! The experience of a lifetime including: whitewater rafting, rock climbing, bouldering, rappelling, zip lines, mountain biking, canopy tours, shooting sports, dragon boats, paddle boats, COPE courses, BMX racing, Pioneering, canoe slalom, kayaking and more. In addition to all of the things you’ve grown to love about the Jamboree, there is patch trading, SCUBA, arena shows, Technology Quest, and over 30,000 of your closest friends.

  • When: The 2021 National Jamboree is July 21 – 30, 2021
  • Where: Summit Bechtel Reserve, New Hope, West Virginia

SEEKING:

  • Scouts BSA: At least 12 years of age (or age 11 and have graduated 6th grade) by the first day of the Jamboree, and may not reach their 18th birthday by the last day of the Jamboree
  • Crew Member: Graduated the 8th grade or be at least 14 years of age by the first day of the Jamboree, but not have reached their 21st birthday by the last day of the Jamboree.
  • Adults: who are willing to apply to serve as unit leadership

Sign Up Now!!

You must have a my.scouting.org account in order to register. If you do not have a profile, please visit http://my.scouting.org and set up an account; you will need to attach your BSA ID to the account so be sure to have the number available.

HOW MUCH:

  • $1,500* per Scout or Crew Member ($200 due to complete registration)
  • $1,500* per Adult Unit Leaders
  • Camperships available to qualifying youth from households under 50% of the Area Median Income in the Washington D.C. area.
  • Fees include all food, insurance and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel and cooking utensils during your adventure at the Jamboree. Fees also include transportation to and from the Summit on motorcoach buses. There will be a shakedown campout prior to the Jamboree. No major additional costs. Just show up with your personal camping gear and Jamboree Uniform.

NCAC Contingent cost is $1,500pp. The national fee of $1,175 set by Jamboree Administration covers the expense of program materials, food, insurance, and equipment, as well as the use of a tent, cot, dining shelters, stoves, fuel, and cooking utensils. Additional Council fees cover transportation, bags, patches, and other fees.

Note on Unit Assignments: Youth will be assigned to NCAC contingent units in the summer of 2020. A maximum of eight (8) youth from one local unit will be assigned to a NCAC contingent Jamboree unit.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

  • $200 due upon registration
  • $500 due June 30, 2020
  • $500 due December 31, 2020
  • $300 due April 1, 2021

Download the flier today and get ready to Face The Challenge, Jamboree 2021!

If you have any questions please contact Program Director, Eric Smith at eric.smith@scouting.org. For more information visit https://www.ncacbsa.org/jamboree/.