We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Sea Scouts

Planning for the Future: Sea Scout Long Cruise Challenge 2020

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Participating in a Long Cruise is the goal of every Sea Scout ship; however, the planning process is both challenging and demanding. Especially for growing ships, the immense tasks that loom in front of Long Cruise planners can be daunting. All too familiar with these struggles – having experienced them firsthand – we asked ourselves how we could not only encourage, but also empower ships to pursue Long Cruise planning. A Long Cruise can be incredibly rewarding, not only for the scouts participating in the actual event, but also for the scouts involved in the arduous planning process.

We – the NCAC Sea Scout Quarterdeck – devoted many planning sessions to brainstorming ideas that would closely imitate the lessons and experiences gained from participating in a Long Cruise. Although it was unlikely that any ship would be able to participate in a real Long Cruise this summer, we continued to search for solutions. How could we incentivize Long Cruise planning, even in a time where communication was challenging? How could we make resources available to growing ships who have never had the opportunity to plan a Long Cruise before? How could we involve the entire community of Sea Scouts, not only in the National Capital Area Council, but also in the entire nation? The culmination of our efforts and extensive planning produced the Sea Scout Long Cruise Challenge 2020.

The competition officially launched on July 21st, and it will run until August 31st, giving ships a month’s time to commit to a plan, delegate assignments, and create a boarding manual and video for presentation. Creating meal plans, assigning roles, researching marinas and routes – Long Cruise planners will find that there is plenty that must be done in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Whether planning a budget or arranging for transportation, the logistics and planning that is required for a Long Cruise also requires effective teamwork, reliable leadership, and resourceful delegation. Throughout the duration of the event, the NCAC Sea Scout Quarterdeck will continue to offer tips and advice through flyers and social media posts to ensure that all components of the Long Cruise plan are receiving sufficient attention.

Components of a submission include a Boarding Manual and short promotional video presentation that will be graded by a panel of judges. Success can be obtained through careful attention to three factors: depth and detail of information, professionalism of the material, and strength of the speakers. As long as appropriate consideration is exhibited for each component of the criteria, Long Cruise planning submissions also have the potential to showcase a ship’s creativity and resourcefulness.

The winning submission will have the opportunity to participate in a one-week Long Cruise aboard the SSTV der PeLiKan, a 46-foot Morgan ketch situated on the Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore, Maryland. Friends of Sea Scouting of Maryland (FOSSOM) – a 501(c)3 non-profit who operates the boat for the benefit of the Sea Scout program – will provide a BSA-registered captain, and cover fuel, moorings, and docking fees to an amount not to exceed $300. More information regarding the grand prize can be found in our event’s boarding manual. Ships interested in registering or are interested in obtaining more information can have their skipper send an email to NCACSeaScouts@gmail.com.
Long Cruise planning is similar to the large-scale projects one might see at school or at work. They can be incredibly frustrating. They can be challenging. They can be confusing. But the frustration, the obstacles, and the confusion all contribute to creating impactful, purposeful experiences that truly shape youth leaders. Large-scale planning projects create opportunities for growth, both within the team and within individuals. They create environments that require communication and conflict resolution. And the result of such arduous labor can create an experience of a lifetime.

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.

Help Celebrate NCAC Camping Centennial at Camp Snyder’s Work Days for All

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Celebrate 100 years of NCAC summer camping by helping Camp Snyder get ready for the summer! Earn service hours and a free Camping Centennial patch for working on projects.

Open to all Scouts, Cubs through Venturers, and Families. Projects for all skill levels, which may include building and installing bird houses, splitting and stacking logs, staining and painting, digging and installing sign posts, assembling traffic barriers.

Be sure to bring work gloves, lunch, water, sunscreen and insect repellant. Check for ticks when departing. And, wear old clothing that can get dirty or stained with paint. No scout uniforms and no open toed shoes or sandals. Check In/Out at the Admin Building at the Camp Entrance.

Join us on Saturday, April 4th and/or Sunday, May 17th, from 9am to 4 pm. Come for the day or just part of the day!

Free registration at https://scoutingevent.com/082-35883

See you on April 4th and/or May 17th!

 

Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Open to Sea Scouts

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The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Association (CBYCA), a network of 100 yacht clubs and associations around the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waters, has granted Partner status to Sea Scout Ships who operate in those waters. The designation, essentially a gift to the Sea Scouts, opens up marinas and other resources to Sea Scouts who are out and about exploring the beautiful waters of the Bay. The designation allows Sea Scouts Ships to request support, including overnight docking, as available, from CBYCA affiliated yacht clubs and associations. Sea Scouts may also be granted access to showers, restrooms, laundry, restaurants, andespecially SWIMMING pools at the often exquisite venues all around the Bay. Specific support available and related fees will be at the discretion of the hosting yacht club or association.

The Commodores of the BSA Areas and Councils surrounding the Chesapeake are drafting specific behavioral rules governing unit interactions with the clubs. Until then, Adult Leaders should carry a laminated copy of their current, unexpired BSA membership card (available through my.scouting.org if needed) to show the manager as needed. Boatswains should call the respective club in advance to ensure availability of slip space and support. Otherwise – go and explore! (And obey the Scout Oath and Law at all times!)

BSA Update: Annual Member Fee Increase and FAQ Sheet

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Earlier today the Boy Scouts of America’s national board of directors approved an increase to the annual registration fee, effective January 1, 2020.

BSA is facing some significant challenges and is making this change to properly cover their operational costs while continuing to offer the same high quality program. We recognize the timing of this increase may be difficult for our Scouting families, but we are confident we will make it through together. Please review these details and share appropriate information with Scout parents and other leaders in your unit:

Now as we continue the Scouting mission, it is important that we keep pace with an ever-changing world. While costs to the organization have increased every year, the Boy Scouts of America has worked to keep the annual membership fee as low as possible by subsidizing core costs, including liability insurance we must carry to cover all official Scouting activities. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to subsidize at the level we have in the past, especially as the cost of insurance has increased dramatically. We kept the cost low to make Scouting available to as many young people as possible but keeping the cost artificially low for many years now magnifies the impact of changes.

To ensure BSA has the resources to fulfill the promise of Scouting despite increasing operating costs, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America has made the difficult but necessary decision to increase the annual membership fee effective January 1, 2020 to:

• $60 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts,
• $36 for youth members in Exploring,
• $36 for adult members, and
• $60 for unit charter fees.

Every dollar of the national membership fee will go toward the cost of essential services, including liability insurance for those participating in approved Scouting activities, program resources, safety standards, youth protection and personal safety training, and services to councils nationwide to sustain Scouting. The National organization will also continue to develop and improve resources that support our volunteers and youth members such as online registration, Member Care and Scoutbook, which now includes the Den Leader experience to ensure the safe and consistent delivery of Cub Scouting; as well as improvements aimed at simplifying the annual renewal process.”

Now that the updated fee is known, our local board of directors and staff are evaluating plans to assist local units and families. We do not want finances to be a barrier to participation in Scouting, and will do our best to assist families who need it to the fullest extent possible. We are exploring options to offer additional fundraising opportunities that would provide significantly increased commission levels to units, helping them to offset the fee increase, and are working on establishing a scholarship fund to assist Scouts who have need. We will provide specific information on these programs shortly.

Our Council is about to begin our annual rechartering process. We encourage every unit to complete the recharter process on-time; however, if an extension would be helpful to your unit, January will be available as an “extra” month. This will provide some additional time to raise funds necessary to offset the fee increase. Your Unit Commissioner will work with you to ensure the recharter information is accurate and avoid issues that could delay processing once it is submitted.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our Scouts. As Scouting navigates these turbulent times, we stand together to achieve our shared mission: helping young people in our community learn, grow, and thrive.

Yours in Scouting,

John H. Graham
Council President

Craig Poland
Scout Executive

Roy “Rick” Rogers
Council Commissioner

FAQ


Q: Why are the fees increasing now?
A: While costs increase every year, the Boy Scouts of America has worked to keep the annual membership fee as low as possible to make Scouting available to as many young people as possible by subsidizing core costs, including liability insurance we must carry to cover all official Scouting activities. As the organization’s financial situation has shifted over the past several months, it is no longer possible to subsidize at the level we have in the past, especially as the cost of insurance has increased dramatically.

Q: Does this apply to youth members and volunteers?
A: Yes, the new fees apply for youth and adult members. Effective January 1, 2020, the new fees are:
‐ $60 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts,
‐ $36 for youth members in Exploring, and
‐ $36 for adult members (includes cost of background check and Scouting Magazine)
‐ $60 for unit charter fees


Q: Is Scouting still a good value?
A: Absolutely! While most extracurricular activities are seasonal, Scouting is a year‐round program that remains one of the most valuable investments we can make to support young men and women today so they can become the leaders we will turn to tomorrow. For most of our youth members, the new registration fee amounts to $5 a month, which is an enormous value when you consider that many seasonal extracurricular activities often start at $100 for programs that last a few weeks.


Q: Does the fee increase apply to council‐paid memberships?
A: No. The cost for council‐paid membership, sometimes known as ScoutReach, will continue to be $24 for
each youth member.


Q: What will the money be used for?
A: Every dollar of membership fees will go to cover the cost of essential services, including liability
insurance for members participating in approved Scouting activities, background checks for adult leaders, program development and training resources, continuously updated youth protection and youth safety training, improved IT/digital experiences and services to our councils nationwide.


Q: Is this increase being implemented to cover the cost of the additional background checks?
A: No, the cost of background checks is not the prompting the fee increase.


Q: Why is this being announced now?
A: We recognize the timing of this fee increase creates challenges as units have already begun collecting fees for their 2020 registration renewal process, and we would not make this difficult decision if it were
not absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, the cost of liability insurance we must carry to cover all Scouting activities has increased dramatically over the past several months, and the organization is no longer able to offset the cost of insurance. We are committed to supporting you through this process
and are making necessary adjustments to the online rechartering system to ensure units can carry out the recharter process.


Q: Does this increase cover financial challenges the organization is facing?
A: The increase was prompted because the cost of liability insurance we must carry to cover all Scouting
activities has increased dramatically over the past several months, and the organization is no longer able to offset the cost of insurance. The national membership fee also enables us program development and training resources, continuously updated youth protection and youth safety training, improved IT/digital experiences and services to our councils nationwide.


Q: When will this increase take effect?
A: The new membership fees will take effect starting January 1, 2020 for the 2020‐21 program year.


Q: Is financial assistance available?
A: We are committed to ensuring that all youth can experience the character‐building benefits of Scouting regardless of their financial situation. In addition to the many existing council and unit membership
assistance funds, we have established the donor‐funded Growing Future Leaders Fund to provide financial support to those who need it.


Q: My council recently announced a new fee to cover insurance. Does this change mean that fee is no longer necessary?
A: No, the liability insurance that we need to carry for all Scouting activities at the national level is different from local fees that are collected to address local needs, which can include such as local property and
accident insurance, as well as unique local programming costs.


Q: In addition to the national membership fee, my council is implementing a program fee. Is that allowed?
A: Starting August 1, 2020, councils can choose to charge a local program fee, up to but no more than the national membership fee – up to $60 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts; up to $36 for youth members in Exploring and up to $36 for adult members. The local program fee can include local insurance costs (i.e., accident, property, etc.), as well as cost to administer unique local programming efforts.


Q: What happens if my council’s program fee is more than the national membership fee?
A: Councils that are currently charging a program fee more than the national membership fee have one year to adjust their fees in order to be in compliance with the new rules.


Q: What measures has the national organization taken to offset the financial challenges?
A: In addition to ongoing efforts to streamline and simplify the organization, the national organization has taken a number of steps in addressing its financial challenges, including the recent elimination of more
than 35 positions at the National Service Center and ongoing consolidation of departments for the most effective utilization of resources in support of Scouting.


Q: Will the national membership fee continue to increase?
A: Although no decision about future increases have been made, the cost of operating our organization and services increases every year. Should it be necessary to increase fees in the future, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America has agreed to evaluate the needs and make such
decisions, whenever possible, at the National Annual Meeting in May or early in the summer so that they can be announced with as much lead time as possible to allow for councils and units to be able to plan accordingly.