A little over 100 years ago, Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, led development of a training course for adult Scouters. The course, called Wood Badge, continues as Scouting’s premier (and only worldwide) adult training program. During two weekends of classroom and camping fun, the course participants learn about leadership through lecture and practical applications. By the end of the second weekend, the participants each develop a Ticket consisting of a vision and 5 goals that are focused on making a lasting impact on their home units. Upon completion of their Tickets, the participants are honored in a celebration of the occasion—a Wood Badge Beading.
On recent beautiful Sunday afternoons, two patrols from National Capital Area Council’s Fall 2018 Wood Badge Course held patrol beadings. On Sunday afternoon, Aug 30, the Antelope Patrol —Barry Brown, Joe Laville, Greg Fairbanks, Chris Noyes, Jim Kyger, and Bryan Dierlam —gathered on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The course Scoutmaster, Doug Carlson, and Karen Purinton, Antelope Troop Guide, presided over the ceremony which included more than 30 family, friends, and Scouters. Attendees represented essentially every Scout program and age group.
Just two weeks later, on Sep 13, the Fox Patrol—Sonja Kueppers, Tam Bui, Ed Apsey, Robert Kronenberg, and Stephen Khovananth—met at another beautiful D.C. landmark, Roosevelt Island, for their patrol beading. (Note that the Foxes met in the woods while the Antelopes met in an open field—just a coincidence?!) For this ceremony, Scoutmaster Doug Carlson and Troop Guide Bryan Martin Firvida were joined by family members in officially recognizing these Scouters for their accomplishments.
The photos, including one of Antelope Bryan Dierlam and his children, William (Scout in Troop 500) and daughter, Emma (Webelos 1 in Pack 230), another of Fox Sonja Kuepper and her daughter, Erika Pfeifer (First Class in Troop 1123), and Fox Ed Apsey, his wife Margaret, and son, Odin (rising Arrow of Life in Pack 1152) are evidence that Scouting continues to have a bright future as a family movement!
My name is Quinton Waddy, I am the Outdoor Ethics Guide for Troop 1188 in Manassas, VA. I am a Life Scout working on my Eagle Scout rank. During a weekend in October my father and I took the Leave No Trace Trainer course, which is recognized by Scouts BSA, and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout programs all include outdoor stewardship, care for the environment, and Leave No Trace as part of their programs. This Course is designed to enhance your understanding of Leave No Trace practices and outdoor ethics, and to increase your level of expertise and confidence in teaching Leave No Trace skills.
Getting ready for a BSA national or local high adventure? Planning your own trip? Be prepared for outdoor adventure with Wilderness First Aid training!
he TREAD Lightly! Trainer Course, is the newest component of the BSA Outdoor Ethics program was recently opened to Scouts ages 14 and over for the FIRST TIME EVER. The minimum age to be able to take the course was originally 18 years old but was changed in 2019.
Patrick, Connor and Teagan learned how to share the TREAD Lightly! concepts and understand the role outdoor ethics plays in the recreation community. They learned the TREAD Lightly! Principles of Responsible Recreation and were provided with the knowledge and tools to conduct workshops and coordinate community outreach as the FIRST youngest TREAD Lightly! Trainers in their Districts. The boys are qualified to present the TREAD Lightly! message to Scouts and others in their District, State or Region. Also completing the TREAD Lightly! Trainer course are: Michael Gephart, Scout Master Troop 13 and David Martinez, ASM Troop 996.
Join the National Scouts BSA committee and Scouters from around the country to learn more about the Scouts BSA program 
Last Saturday 85+ Scouts and Scouters from Packs and Troops in Patuxent District came together to learn and practice Search and Rescue, First Aid, and Emergency Management skills at the annual “Scouts to the Rescue!” training.
