Legend: A (all programs), C (Cub Scout), SB (Scouts BSA), V (Venture, Sea Scout, Explorer), and ST (STEM)
Virtual Meetings
- Aaron Chusid (Chief Communications Officer, NCAC) shares (A):
Due to the continuing pandemic in our communities, National Capital Area Council, BSA is extending “Scouting At Home” until further notice. The Marriott Scout Service Center and all NCAC camping properties will be closed to the public during this time, but our friendly staff remains available to help! Please contact us for all your Scouting needs.
We encourage all our units to continue holding virtual meetings and events. There are a lot of amazing stories on WeOwnAdventure.com and we are inspired by your continued innovation and creativity! If your unit is looking to start holding online meetings, check out these resources for virtual meetings.
We also want to invite you to our Council’s first Virtual Campfire! Join us on May 5, 7pm on our Facebook page for songs, skits, and Scout Spirit. Can’t wait to see you there!
- Virtual Eagle Scout Courts of Honor (A Request) (SB):
Has anyone in the NCAC conducted an Eagle Scout Court of Honor online? We are looking for suggestions on how to best honor this high accomplishment in this time of social distancing. If you have done one, let us know what happened and how it went. If you are planning one, let us know that as well.
How to do Scouting in the Time of COVID-19
- Merit Badge Pamphlets Available on Amazon Kindle (Bryan on Scouting Shares) (SB):
We’ve previously shared a Scouter’s suggestion of merit badges that can be worked on from home and Scout Shop resources for some of those badges. Another resource you and your Scouts now have are digital merit badge pamphlets, available through Amazon Kindle.
You can download the electronic reader application on your phone or tablet. Each digital pamphlet costs $4.99, the same price as hard-copy pamphlets. They’re compatible with any electronic device; they do not include interactive or enhanced content. You can also find digital handbooks and other leader resources in the BSA’s Amazon Kindle library. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/04/23/updated-merit-badge-pamphlets-now-available-through-amazon-kindle/?utm_source=scoutingwire&utm_campaign=swvolunteer4292020&utm_medium=email&utm_content=
- Save the Date: NCAC Council Wide Virtual Campfire on May 5 (A):
You bring the S’mores, we’ll bring the songs, skits, and Scout Spirit! Join us for a council-wide virtual campfire on May 5 streaming live on our Facebook page!
- Looking for Merit Badge Counselors (forwarded by NCAC) (SB,V):
Volunteer from home: Hundreds of local Scouts are earning advancements with our new Merit Badge @Home program. We still need more instructors! The more classes we can offer, the more Scouts we can help! You can sign up at: https://www.ncacbsa.org/merit-badges-at-home.
- Troop 496 Goes Virtual Camping (Recommended by Jim Hardter, ADC, Seneca District) (SB,V):
Traditionally, Troop 496’s campout for April is the New Scout campout Because of the COVID pandemic and state and BSA rules that do not allow large gatherings, Troop 496 held a virtual campout using Zoom. Ten new boys, representing the Trolls patrol, participated, as did four girls, representing the Artemis patrol. The girls will be the core of a new BSA Girls Troop forming 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.
https://weownadventure.com/troop-496-holds-virtual-new-scout-campout/
Opportunities to Serve (A)
1. Scouts Help Make Face Masks (reported by NCAC, Scouter Digest):
Quoc-Huy Nicholas Nguyen and DangKhoa Noah Nguyen of Scouts BSA Troop 1444, together with their mother (Thai Le) and the Vietnamese charities (Nha VietNam MD, The Marriage Family Enrichment Program of Our Lady of Vietnam Parish and many Vietnamese in DMV area) made thousands of cloth face masks to donate to local hospitals, nursing homes, police stations and places in need. Volunteers donated money, fabric, and their time to sew masks. The two Scouts packaged the masks, which included washing, drying, ironing, putting them in zip lock bags, and labeling them.
https://weownadventure.com/boy-scout-values-during-a-pandemic/
2. Scout Makes COVID-19 Stay at Home Kits (reported by NCAC, Scouter Digest):
Scout Zachary Leka of Troop 642 in Orange County, CA, took Family Life in the NCAC Merit Badge @Home program and was inspired to lead a project making Stay at Home Family Kits for families facing homelessness who are staying in shelters, motels, or RVs.
The kits included diapers, wipes, soap and shampoo, baby formula, non-perishable snacks and at-home activities for kids such as books, craft kits, art supplies and puzzles.
https://weownadventure.com/covid-19-stay-at-home-family-kits/
3. Star Scout Organizes a “No Contact” Food Drive (reported by NCAC, Scouter Digest):
Star Scout Landon Hummel from Troop 1378 in Dale City, VA! He organized a “no contact” food drive, made a flyer, sent instructions to his troop, and collected 162 pounds of food for the Arlington Food Assistance Center!
https://weownadventure.com/star-scout-organizes-no-contact-food-drive/
A Scout is Reverent (A)
- Protestant Religious Emblems Online (from P.R.A.Y):
The Programs of Religious Activities With Youth (P.R.A.Y) Program, a Bible-based religious emblems program for Protestant and Independent Christian churches, has released a series of videos on the P.R.A.Y. YouTube Channel to assist parents who may wish to serve as counselors and help guide their children to completion of their religious emblem Each workbook lesson is highlighted, explained in depth with hints and helps for those who might be serving in the counselor role for the first time
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1HwTGCObuuqaLdBPHvBxmg
At the request of clergy and counselors, a special eligibility extension is in effect until December 31, 2020. This means that students who are eligible for a program based on their current grade level in March 2020, will still be eligible to earn that award until the end of this calendar year, December 31, 2020. Instead of aging out of a program in the fall when starting a new grade at school, the P.R.A.Y. extension will allow young people to complete their requirements until December 31, 2020. For more details go to https://www.praypuborg/
STEM Corner (ST)
- Take a Trip to Yellowstone Park (forwarded by Ben Overbey, ACC, NCAC):
Airstream has partnered with MacGillivray Freeman Films for this incredible look at Yellowstone. As the park is temporarily closed, this video of the animals, the topography, and the sounds of the place will have to suffice as a visit for now.
https://www.adventure-journal.com/2020/05/yellowstone-is-closed-for-a-bit-but-you-can-bring-it-into-your-living-room/
BSA Resources Available Now!
• Boy’s Life App available for free!(C,SB)
• Scouting Magazine App available for free!(A)
• National Statement on COVID-19 https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/
· COVID-19 FAQ https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/
• Merit badges for social distancing (SB) 58 badges Scouts can complete at home https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/03/20/merit-badges-for-social-distancing/
• Fun projects for kids that you can do from home (C) https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/03/19/fun-projects-for-kids-that-you-can-do-from-home/
· Guide to Safe Scouting (A) https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss01/#a
• NCAC COVID-19 Updates (A): https://weownadventure.com/ncac-response-to-covid-19/
• NCAC Guidance on Virtual Meetings with Youth (A) https://weownadventure.com/ncac-guidance-on-virtual-meetings-with-youth/
• NCAC Guidance on Advancement during COVID -19 (A) :
· https://weownadventure.com/guidance-on-advancement-during-covid-19/
• Scouting.org/ScoutingAtHome – a webpage with an ever-growing list of resources to help Scouting families and friends safely continue their adventures. Also check out #ScoutingAtHome and your council’s website for even more activities, ideas and helpful tips.