Learn about Scouting
The Boy Scouts of America’s National Capital Area Council prepares youth for life through outstanding programs that inspire, build character and instill the values that young people need to succeed today. That includes everything from camping and hiking, to community service and leadership development.
National Capital Area Council—Number 82—is one of the largest of the nearly 300 local councils chartered by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America. Our members come from 20 districts, spread across northern Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands.
The Maryland counties we serve include:
- Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s
The Virginia counties we serve include:
- Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Stafford, Culpeper, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, Manassas Park and Fredericksburg.
Each Scout gains experiences that not only help them when they are young, but stay with them throughout their adult lives, helping them grow into adults that respect their family, community, religion, country and themselves.
The Mission of the Boy Scouts of America
To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Scout Oath
On my honor
I will do my best to do my duty to God
And my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,
Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty,
Brave, Clean and Reverent.
The National Capital Area Council Vision
To accomplish the mission of the BSA in such an exemplary manner as to be recognized by our public as the premier youth organization in the communities we serve and by other councils and the National Council as second to none in all our endeavors.
Annual Report
To learn more about our activities and programs, we welcome you to view our annual report.
Strategic Plans
The National Capital Area Council was founded in 1911, and since then, we have worked to fulfill the mission of the Boy Scouts of America and to continuously position ourselves to best serve the youth across our council in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and beyond.
Our 2023 to 2025 Strategic Plan guides our Scouting work for the coming years through five pillars: Grow Cub Scouts, Effective Fund Development, Optimizing Facilities, Organizational Alignment, and Re-establish the Value of Scouting.
We invite you to become familiar with your Council’s Strategic Plan, especially the five pillars that will guide us as we work together to achieve the mission of the Boy Scouts of America and the vision of the National Capital Area Council.