We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Serve the Community

Troop 1831 Scout Leads Cemetery Cleanup Service Project During Juneteenth Weekend

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Life Scout Lance W. of Troop 1831, Accotink Bay District, recently led the primary service event for his Eagle Scout project at the Dumfries Slave & Free African American Cemetery in Dumfries, Virginia.

Held on Saturday, June 20, during Juneteenth weekend, the cemetery maintenance and cleanup event was conducted in partnership with the Friends of Dumfries Slave Cemetery. Volunteers from Troop 1831 and the surrounding community worked together to clear overgrowth, remove debris, and help restore the grounds of the historic cemetery.

The Dumfries Slave & Free African American Cemetery is the resting place of enslaved and free African Americans. According to Lance, “the timing of the project during Juneteenth weekend made the day especially meaningful”.

The project brought Scouts and community members together in service to help preserve an important historic site while supporting Lance’s journey toward earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Eagle Scout Project Enhances DC Fire and EMS Engine 24

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Community service and support for first responders were at the heart of a successful Eagle Scout project completed by Troop 544 in Washington, D.C.

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, Troop 544 member Jaron completed his Eagle Scout project at DC Fire and EMS Engine 24. Located in the Petworth neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C., the station is part of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and serves the surrounding community.

The day began with Troop 544 officially raising the flag at the fire station.

Explaining the purpose of the project, Jaron said, “I planned this painting and planting event to support neighborhood first responders.”

Jaron’s beautification project focused on improving the appearance of the station for both firefighters and community members. Volunteers repainted the handrails on the station’s ADA-compliant ramp and staircase and planted new flowers and greenery around the property.

When asked why he selected Engine 24 for his Eagle Scout project, Jaron explained, “I chose Engine 24 because it looked like it needed help.”

The project drew strong support from firefighters, Troop 544 members, mentors, and local residents who came together to help complete the work.

Captain Mike Bozarth of Rescue Squad 2 expressed his appreciation for the effort, saying, “We’re really grateful that Jaron thought of us when he was deciding where to do his Eagle Scout project. We’re happy to be involved.”

Kevin Magby, an Eagle Scout and mentor, praised Jaron’s commitment to service and leadership.

“I want to keep Jaron encouraged because he’s doing a great job,” Magby said. “Young men like himself need to be showcased more as doing the right thing. We see a lot of negative things in the media. We want to showcase the positive aspects.”

The completed improvements will provide lasting benefits for the firefighters who work at Engine 24 and Rescue Squad 2, as well as the residents they serve. The success of the project highlights the positive impact that Scouting, community partnerships, and volunteer service can have in strengthening neighborhoods and supporting local first responders.

 

 

Cub Scouts In Action: Community Cleanup and Nature Exploration

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group of Cub Scouts standing in front of a pond during their trash pick up nature hike.

Earlier this month, a group of Cub Scouts from Pack 160 in Herndon, VA came together for a 2.5‑mile spring hike along the ponds and trails in their community of Franklin Farm. The goal was simple: enjoy the nice weather, help clean up the neighborhood, and learn more about the wildlife around us.

Working Together and Helping the Community

All of our Scouts put on gloves, grabbed trash bags, and teamed up in small groups to scour the trails for litter. By the end of the hike, we filled two trash bags with wrappers, bottles, and other trash found along the trails and ponds. Several neighbors stopped to thank the Scouts for helping keep the area clean, which gave everyone a great chance to practice being polite and representing Scouting well.

The most memorable find of the day was the bottom half of an early‑2000s Sony PSYC CD Walkman. None of the Scouts knew what it was, so we paused for a fun “old‑school music” lesson. The parents got a good laugh from the guesses!

Fun Wildlife Discoveries

Spring wildlife was everywhere along the trails. The Scouts spotted turtles sunbathing on logs, deer and dog tracks in the mud, a fallen bird egg, and even a crawfish shell left behind on a bridge. During a quick snack break, a large flock of Sandhill Cranes flew overhead, calling loudly — a rare and exciting sight.

Practicing Leave No Trace

Throughout the hike, we talked about the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles. And our Scouts practiced staying on the right side of the path, giving space to dogs and other walkers, and respecting both nature and the people around them.

A Great Day Outdoors

It was a perfect spring afternoon to serve the community, learn about nature, and enjoy being outside together. Scouts from all age groups worked as a team, explored the outdoors, and showed what it means to “leave the world better than you found it.”