We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Service

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.

 

 

Pack 55 Scouts Celebrate America250 with History, Service, and Honor

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In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Cub Scouts from Pack 55 in Great Falls, Virginia took part in a meaningful outing focused on history, citizenship, and service at the Balls Bluff Battlefield. Through hiking, learning flag etiquette, and honoring fallen soldiers, the Scouts experienced an important piece of American history while living out the values of Scouting.

Cub Scouts from Pack 55 explored the Balls Bluff Battlefield, a historic Civil War site with wooded trails and views of the Potomac River in Leesburg, Virginia. As they hiked together, Scouts enjoyed being outdoors, moving along the winding paths, and experiencing the natural setting of the battlefield. The hike gave Scouts a chance to stay active, work together, and appreciate being outside while visiting a place that has been part of American history for generations.

Scouts also learned about the Civil War from representatives of the Friends of the Balls Bluff Battlefield, who shared information about the site and its importance. Hearing from local experts helped Scouts better understand why the battlefield is preserved today and how communities work to protect historic places.

A meaningful part of the visit included learning proper flag etiquette and placing American flags at the Balls Bluff National Cemetery. This respectful activity allowed Scouts to honor the soldiers buried there and recognize the service and sacrifice of those who fought for the country. Taking time to place flags gave Scouts a hands-on way to show respect and gratitude.

The activities reflect key elements of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. By learning about history and honoring those who served, the Scouts demonstrated being respectful, reverent, and helpful. Working together throughout the outing showed cooperation and kindness, while caring for a historic site reflected responsibility and citizenship.

This experience also connects to the spirit of America250, which encourages reflection on the nation’s history and the people who shaped it. By visiting a historic battlefield and honoring soldiers from the past, Pack 55 Scouts participated in remembering America’s story while building their own understanding of service and community.

Way to go, Pack 55 Scouts!

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.”

 

              

Troop 1775 Honors Veterans in Brunswick Parade

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Brunswick, MD — November 9, 2025

Members of Scouts BSA Troop 1775 proudly marched in the Brunswick Veterans Day Parade this year, joining the community in honoring the brave men and women who have served our nation.

This year, the troop had the distinct honor of carrying the colors alongside the Sargent Lawrence Everheart Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard. The partnership gave the Scouts an opportunity to take part in a meaningful tradition—presenting the flags that symbolize our nation’s history, sacrifice, and unity.

The crowd’s applause and cheers as the Scouts passed by showed deep appreciation for the presence of Scouting in the parade. “It was a powerful reminder that citizenship and service—two cornerstones of Scouting—are living values,” said Talisha Kellogg, the Scoutmaster for Troop 1775.

Beyond marching, the Scouts took time to learn about the origins of Veterans Day and the historical connections between America’s founding in 1775 and the values their troop strives to uphold. The year 1775 marks both the founding of the United States Army and the beginning of the American Revolution, events that reflect courage, service, and dedication—principles that continue to guide the Scouts today.

Troop 1775’s participation was both a tribute to veterans and a living lesson in history, patriotism, and community service.

Upcoming Camp Service Weekends

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The NCAC Camps are hosting spring service weekends! Make a spring visit to your favorite camp and help with camp improvement projects.

Goshen Spring Alumni Service Weekend – April 28-30, 2023

Goshen Scout Reservation Staff Alumni are invited by the Goshen Staff Alumni Association (GSAA) for a spring service weekend! Open to staff alumni from any Goshen camp and any friends or family who want to help out, ages 18 and up. There will be projects supporting all the camps getting ready for the 2023 Summer season. Projects include making chuckboxes for Camp Marriott and Camp Bowman, fixing up Camp Ross’s Aquatics tower, replacing benches at the Camp Olmsted chapel, and working on getting the Mountain Man outpost settled at its new location for Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Meet other staff alumni new and old, spend some time at Goshen, and help prepare for the next season of summer camp!

Get the full list of projects, get more details, and register at www.gotogoshen.org/gsaasw

Goshen Volunteer Work Weekend – May 12-14, 2023

Units and volunteers are invited for a spring work weekend to assist in camp beautification! Open to members of the scouting community, participants will assist in painting, stage repair, and building projects. This weekend is open to scouting youth and adults. Youth participants will need to have Youth Protection compliant supervision – either with a parent/guardian or with a contingent from their unit.

Get the full list of projects, get more details, and register at www.gotogoshen.org/vww

Camp Snyder Sawdust Saturdays – multiple dates

Join the Camp Snyder volunteers for a day to support Camp Snyder’s summer and year-round programs. Service days run from 9am to 1pm and projects include carpentry and painting among others. There is no Sawdust Saturday in April and the May Sawdust Saturday is still TBD, so stay tuned for the date! Can’t make it in the spring? Sawdust Saturdays will pick up again after the summer camp season, starting August 19.

Learn more and sign up at www.gotosnyder.org/work-volunteer/service-days/