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Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

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Troop 98 Eagle Scout Service Project Says “Farewell” to Invasive Species and “Hello” to Healthy Trees

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Back in February and March of 2020 when the weather was cool and crisp, and just before COVID-19 impacted and limited our larger in-person scouting activities, Brendan Martin Firvida, a Life Scout with Scouts BSA Troop 98 chartered by St. Anthony of Padua Church in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, DC, saw his Eagle Scout Service Project come to fruition on the grounds of the The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, also located in Brookland.

Months of planning with the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild (FMGG) came together over two weekends of work by Scouts and volunteers as they removed invasive species from the tree perimeter of the rear grounds of the Monastery.

“Brendan’s project was essential to keep the perimeter trees healthy,” noted Lou Maroulis, FMGG CEO. “By completing this project during the late winter months, the amount of debris removal was significantly reduced due to the normal winter “die-back” of invasive plants. Congratulations and thanks to Brendan and Troop 98 for the successful completion of this project of manually removing invasive plants which complements the Franciscan Monastery’s ecosystem of urban farm, orchard, apiary, and meadow.”

Major benefits of the removal of the invasive vines and surrounding weed-tree saplings allows the mature trees within the tree perimeter to grow without competition by the invasive plants and vines. This work also improved the air flow and facilitated ongoing maintenance which are extremely beneficial for these trees, benefits that were enjoyed by the trees this entire summer without having to battle invasive species.

The Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild is staffed entirely by volunteers, and the gardens provide between 10,000 to 11,000 pounds of produce a year for those in need. Since 2014, over 24 tons of vegetable produce that is grown and harvested has been donated to food pantries of neighborhood parishes and food banks in the District of Columbia.

Congratulations to Brendan on your hard work, and completing this very difficult step on your trek to Eagle, and a special thank you to all of the volunteers, scouts and scouters of Troop 98, and the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild!

Troop 492, An Amazing Blessing During a Difficult Year

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A year ago today, Michael and I went to visit a Troop 492 Scout meeting. He wanted to join the Cub Scouts for years, but scheduling never worked out. But we decided that because he was going to be going to a magnet middle school, we’d let him join the BSA in the fall. His best friend’s dad was the Scoutmaster, so it was a way to keep him in touch with some of his friends.

Well, the terrific and very persuasive Scoutmaster convinced us that it made more sense to join right away. The Troop was brand new, so he’d be able to be involved in planning for the upcoming year, and could even go to Scout camp in July. We signed up that night. Little did we know what an incredible blessing that decision would turn out to be.

There was no way we could afford a week at Goshen at the time; we hadn’t budgeted for it, so the Troop worked with our sponsoring Rotary Club to pay Michael’s way. Michael’s best friend assured him that it was the BEST place in the world, and he’d love it.

A week and a half before camp, my dad passed away totally unexpectedly, shattering our world. Michael was with us that morning as my sister (recovering from surgery at our house) and I raced to our parents’ house after getting my mom’s call. Losing his beloved grandfather was devastating. We contemplated cancelling camp for him, but in the end decided to let him go, after getting assurances from his Scoutmaster that he’d be allowed to call us if needed. It was the best thing possible for him at the time. He had a phenomenal week and a break from the chaos at home.

And as our whole lives turned upside down this year – first with our move to live with and take care of my mom, through starting at a brand new middle school not knowing anyone, and then through this pandemic, his Scout Troop has been his lifeline.

Michael has thrived in Scouting, becoming the first in his Troop to promote to Tenderfoot, and then among the first three to promote to Second Class and then First Class. He sold a crazy amount of popcorn, and earned a free week at Goshen for this year. (Still hoping that will happen…) He’s earned a ton of merit badges – including several over Zoom from Councils all over the country! – and was just elected to be the new Patrol Leader. He was pretty nervous about taking on a leadership role, but his first (Zoom) meeting with the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader this week convinced him that it’s pretty cool to be in ‘the room where it happens’!

I had no idea what we were signing up for a year ago. Now I’m the Assistant Scoutmaster, and a Merit Badge Counselor for several merit badges. I adore all the phenomenal kids in our Troop, and am excited to watch them progress, and to welcome in our new Scouts who will be bridging over from the Cub Pack in the next few weeks. The thing I’m actually missing most during this pandemic lockdown is getting to go camping with all those goofballs! But I’m so proud of all that we’re managing to accomplish despite the lockdown; we haven’t missed a beat.

We’ve had Troop meetings on Zoom every week, videoconferences for merit badge counseling, and even a virtual campout!

It’s been an amazing first year of scouting. I can’t wait to see what future years hold!

Troop 58 Reminisces on Scout Adventures through Interactive Map

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Founded in 2014, Troop 58 in Ashburn is an active Troop with monthly outdoor events that include camping, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, white-water rafting, climbing, and skiing. What does over five years of these adventures look like? Check out our cool interactive map on our website http://troop58ashburn.camp/resources/. Once there you’ll find all the Troop’s outings (78 of them) since early 2014, plotted on a Google map. Zoom in and explore for inspiration for your next outing!

Shout out to Troop 58’s youth Webmaster, Daniel H., for crafting this map so that we can reminisce about the adventures we’ve had as a Troop and look forward to what’s to come after restrictions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are lifted. Later this year, Troop 58 will be adding Northern Minnesota and Canada to our interactive map when Scouts make their way to Northern Tier High Adventure for a whole new level of adventure!

NCAC Continues to Grow Welcoming Nine New Units During Pandemic

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Starting a new unit in Scouting takes a lot of legwork, but starting a new unit during a pandemic presents special challenges. Through the tenacity of incredible volunteers and leaders, the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will be welcoming four new Scouts BSA Troops for girls, one new Scouts BSA Troop for boys, three new STEM Labs, and a new Sea Scout Ship this month.

In March the Council offices were closed due to COVID-19. While adjusting to the new normal, many Council staff members and volunteers began working to ensure Scouting continued. There efforts included starting a virtual Merit Badge Program, creating Scouting at Home resources for parents and youth, and holding virtual meetings. Now new units formation is added to the list of Scouting at Home activities.

There are multiple steps involved in starting a new unit, from finding a chartered organization to recruiting Scouts. The leaders of these new units jumped in to the process with both feet, glad to help create new Scouting opportunities. Even a once in a lifetime event like a pandemic won’t stop them from shaping the next generation of youth.

Burt Wagner, Junior Lab 9941’s Lab Manager says, “STEM Labs fill a gap in Scouting.  Just as traditional Scout units focus on “hands on” with outdoor skills, the “hands on” component was missing for many STEM topics. Having a STEM Lab allows Scouts to go from “look at this cool STEM thing” to “come here and do this cool STEM thing.”

Leaders in NCAC believe that creating new units during the pandemic teaches Scouts that although the road may be rough, it is not impossible. Scoutmaster Tony from Troop 350 adds that even as they were completing the paperwork for Scouts BSA Troop 350 for girls, the Troop is, “Zooming through Merit Badges and advancement requirements as they prepare for their trip to Summit.”

Lorrie Hartwell, NCAC’s Sea Scout Commodore, states, “Someday soon we all hope our boats and Scouts will be OUT on the waters leading, learning, feeling those breezes and just having FUN. The Scouts’ enthusiasm turns the administrative challenges of starting a new unit into small obstacles that are easy to overcome. Just ask and help will come!”

The Scouting program provides so much for our youth in the D.C. metro area, especially during this difficult time. It continues to inspire youth to advance, get outdoors, serve their community, and make friends all while using the proper precautions to stay safe. This time in their lives will never be forgotten and the history made by deciding to join Scouting during a pandemic will forever be etched in their memory.

To learn more about how to start a new Troop, Ship, STEM Lab, or other Scouting unit, please contact us and a member of our local Scouting team will be in touch.

 

Troop 496 Holds Virtual New Scout Campout

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Traditionally, Troop 496’s campout for April is the New Scout campout. At this campout, we welcome the Webelos scouts that have crossed over to the troop. We also introduce the new scouts to several Scout and Tenderfoot rank requirements. Requirements include:

  • What the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan are and what they mean
  • What is the Scout leadership hierarchy
  • A explanation of the Patrol method
  • Demonstration of how to tie the square knot, two half-hitches, and the taut-line hitch
  • What should be in a personal first aid kit
  • A list of equipment and clothes needed for a campout
  •  How to pitch a tent

Because of the COVID pandemic and state and BSA rules that do not allow large gatherings, a campout was not an option this year. In order to support the new Scouts as they begin their BSA Scouting careers, Troop 496 held a virtual campout using Zoom. Ten new boys, representing the Trolls patrol, participated in this campout. Troop 496 was honored to have four girls, representing the Artemis patrol, join the campout this year. These girls will be the core of the new BSA Girls Troop forming here in Poolesville.

The campout was led by the Troop SPL, Zach Ransom. The SPL was assisted by several older Scouts covering 10 different requirements. After the on-line portion of the campout, several of the Scouts took on the challenge to pitch a tent in their back yard and then spend the night in the tent that they pitched. The next day, the participants again met on Zoom to participate in a “Roses, Buds, and Thorns” exercise.

Troop 33 Collects Over 5,000 Items for Virtual Food Drive

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Scouts BSA Troop 33 in Takoma Park, Maryland ran a virtual food drive for two weeks in mid-April, which collected over 5,000 to help the Capital Area Food Bank provide meals to vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 emergency. Like a 5K road race, the food drive had a specific challenge with a measurable goal. In this case, the 5K theme represented a race to collect 5,000 food items resulting in much-needed assistance to children, families, seniors, and other individuals who are food-insecure at this time.

Scouts are known for acts of service, many of which are enabled through in-person, group activities. The current state of emergency, with stay-at-home orders and social distancing, presents opportunities for Scouts to think about how to serve others while remaining obedient to public health policies and keeping themselves out of harm’s way. Troop 33, and a supportive community of other youth and adults, faced the conundrum head on and exceeded the 5K goal. The total 5,380 food items collected is valued at $11,243.24, and weighs nearly two tons!

The food drive happened 100% online, powered by a giving platform developed by the woman-owned business YouGiveGoods. The food items will be shipped directly from YouGiveGoods to the Capital Area Food Bank by the end of April. Troop 33 hopes its success will inspire other units to imagine how they can meet the challenges of Scouting in these unprecedented times. The troop is celebrating 100 years of service this year, and has called the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church its home for the entire time. Troop 33 is grateful to everyone who pitched in to support the food drive, and their virtuous efforts to help others in a moment of crisis.