We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Webelos

Camp Ross: Another Week Added

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Due to popular demand, another week has been added to the Camp Ross summer for 2022. There is now a Week 6, which will run 7/31 to 8/6.

Camp Ross is Goshen Scout Reservation’s dedicated Webelos camp, open to rising Webelos and rising AOLs. Our six-day and night camp prepare your Webelos to be fully successful in Scouts BSA. We offer an array of Adventures interspersed with outdoor activity to help Webelos become well-rounded.

At Camp Ross, we offer the classic favorites like swimming, boating, BB gun shooting, archery, tie dye, nature exhibits, fire building, team building exercises, and much more! We also have newer favorites like the HUMONGOUS water trampoline and theme crafts. The theme for Summer 2022 is Ancient Empires. Join us as we explore the ancient world!

Learn more and book a spot for your Pack at www.gotogoshen.org/ross

Webelos Summer Camp 2022: Ancient Empires

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Unlock new fun with Ancient Empires

Follow Goshen Scout Reservation’s Camp Ross as we travel through time to Ancient Egypt, Rome and more! Paint Hieroglyphs with Handicraft, build fortresses with Scoutcraft, or Shoot arrows with Roman Archers. Have fun with these programs and much more as we explore this trip to the past!

Aquia Scouts BSA get “Back to Basics” at Fall Camporee

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Scouts get “Back to Basics” at the Aquia District Fall Camporee.

On the weekend of October 15-17, 2021, 175 Scouts from ten Troops and seven Webelos Dens Aquia District gathered for a joint Camporee and Webelos-ree in Stafford County’s Curtis Memorial Park.

The theme of the Fall Camporee was “Back to Scouting Basics”. In addition to doing typical camping and fellowship activities, Scouts competed as Patrols in a series of basic Scout skills challenges in the Scout Activity Area which the Scouts discovered Saturday morning after a one-mile hike from Curtis Memorial Park. Seventeen patrols demonstrated their knowledge of topics such as navigation with map and compass, first aid, rescue techniques, outdoor preparedness, US flag etiquette, and even basic seamanship. A bonus station involved testing the Patrols’ abilities to cook a nutritious meal while hiking.

The average score of each Troop’s Patrols was added to the score each Troop received from a campsite inspection to determine the winner of the 2021 Commissioners Cup award. Coming in 1st Place was the Bobcat Patrol from Troop 199G and Troop 1717G chartered to Hartwood Presbyterian Church posted the highest overall score! The girls of Troop 1717G will keep the Commissioner’s Cup until the next Aquia District Camporee in 2022.

In the Patrol competition, 2nd Place was earned by the Wolverine Patrol from Troop 840B and in 3rd Place was the Panda Patrol from Troop 218B. Placing 2nd in the overall Troop results was Troop 1717B and 3rd Place was claimed by T26B. Congratulations to all Scouts who did their best!

The Webelos-ree’s theme was “Scouting Olympics”, and centered on teaching and perfecting traditional Scouting skills like knot tying and fire building. However, as with every Scouting activity, there were interesting “adjustments” to each activity. For example, the knot tying station did include rope, of course, but the rope was 50 feet long and 2 inches thick! The eyes of the Scouts popped wide when they saw the rope and realized what they were going to have to do to be successful… And then came the smiles.

The foot races, a standard component of Scouting’s physical fitness mantra, were not merely races against the clock. For instance, there was a 3-legged race where the Scouts had to cooperate and coordinate with each other to get down the track. It proved a good idea to hold this event on the grass, as many Scouts spilled over as they tried to run, laughing as they fell, rolled, struggled to recover, and fell again before finally crossing the finish line. The cheers and laughs from fellow Scouts provided good motivation.

Another of the seven stations the Scouts traversed was fire building, a staple of Scouting experience, skill and knowledge. However, this time the Scouts were amazed to learn they could spark a fire without matches! How? They learned to use steel wool and a 9-volt battery. The amazed and giddy enjoyment of yet another Scout-learning experience was an apt reward for the many adult Scouters who had planned and organized this great weekend.

In the evening, after the end of a fun-filled Saturday, the Webelos and Scouts gathered for a campfire hosted by the Aquia Chapter of the Order of the Arrow, BSA’s honor Scout society. Numerous skits and songs were performed by the Scouts. A great time was had by all!

After a long hiatus from the 3-dimensional fun of the Scouting program, this “Back to Scouting Basics” and “Scouting Olympics” weekend was a welcome reminder that the Scouting program is still alive and well in Stafford, Virginia. Come join us! Learn more about at ncacbsa.org/aquia/.

Webelos Camp Update

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The weather is getting warmer, the cicadas are getting louder, and we’re getting ready for an amazing summer of Outdoor Adventure at Goshen Scout Reservation!

As we approach the beginning of the camping season, however, we have had to make a difficult decision about this summer. After consultation with our Council’s VP of Outdoor Adventure and Camping Chairs, to ensure we can provide every Pack with an outstanding program, we have made the decision to combine our Webelos camps for this summer. That means all Webelos programs will be taking place at Camp Ross. If your Pack has already registered to attend Camp PMI for weeks 2-5 this means you will be moved to the same week at Camp Ross. Some Packs registered for week 1 may be asked to switch to an alternate week; we are offering these Packs a 20% discount for their inconvenience.

This was not a decision we made lightly. We considered many factors, including the following:

  • Combining the camps allows us to consolidate resources, ensuring we can run all program areas effectively.
  • We selected Ross because it has had more recent facility upgrades and will help make general logistics more efficient.
  • Consolidating the Webelos programs into one camp ensures all key staff positions are filled. Other PMI staff will help fill openings in our other summer programs.

Packs should not have to take additional action at this time; we will simply switch their registration in the system. They will still attend camp in the same week and enjoy the same high-quality program, staff, and food service as they have come to expect at Camp PMI.

Please note that there will still be plenty of room for more Webelos at Camp Ross, so sign up today and be part of the adventure! For more information about Camp Ross please visit the website: www.gotogoshen.org/camp-ross.

See you all this summer!

What Is the Arrow of Light?

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The Arrow of Light is both a rank and an award. It is the highest achievement in Cub Scouting, and the only Cub Scout Award that can still be worn once a scout enters ScoutsBSA. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light Award may show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their uniform.

The award design is a yellow arrow with a rising sun. There are seven rays in the sun that represent wisdom, courage, self-control, justice, faith, hope, and love. The symbolism of the award peaks to the heart of scouting – like an arrow, scouts travel a straight path. Achieving the award is not an end, but like a new day is just a beginning. The values represented by the sun are those that form a well-rounded person. Other interpretations of the badge say that like the sun, Cub Scouts should be a light for those around them. Also, the seven rays of the sun represent the days of the week, and serves as a reminder that Scouts should do their best every day.

Very often a Webelos earns the award at the end of their time in the pack, so the awarding of the AOL coincides with the crossover to a troop. These crossover, or bridging ceremonies, recognize the Scouts commencing a journey into Scouts BSA.

No matter how you interpret the award, it is worthy of its own ceremony. There are many different ceremonies developed over the years by different packs. Each is tailored to meet the time of year, and the needs of the pack. My favorite ceremonies have featured campfires, candles, and a reflection on what it took each scout to get to that point. It is a recognition of a lot of hard work, both from the scouts, and the leaders and parents that helped them get there.

Troop 1650 Webelos Crosses Over in the Canopy

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Former Webelos of Washington, D.C.Pack 1650, A. Harris, officially crossed over from the Pack to the Troop and is now on his way to ranking up in Boy Scouts. Mr. Harris also earned Arrow of Light- Cub Scouts’ highest distinction. A. Harris joins his brother C. Harris in the Troop. Mr. Harris was honored in a Court of Honor ceremony celebrating the many achievements and advancements earned by the Scouts over the summer. The occasion took place at The Adventure Park in Sandy Springs, Maryland. Known for aerial obstacle courses and zip line features, the park was a perfect backdrop to recognize the Scout’s accomplishments. The day also marked the first outdoor, in- person, meeting for the Pack and Troop since March. After the Court of Honor, and an initial orientation, the Scouts spent the next 3 hours scaling new heights and overcoming challenges high in the canopy of the trees. The Scouts helped one another and pushed each other to reach the various levels of the course. A good day was had by all. Many of the Scouts even said they would like to return to the park soon!