The Occoquan District Newsletter: Keeping the Outing in Scouting October 2017 2018 Trout-o-Ree Save the Date! Who? Scout Troops and Webelos Scouts What? 2018 Joint District Spring Trout-O-Ree When? April 6-8, 2018 Where? Graves Mountain Lodge, Syria, Virginia Details: Register early to make sure you can attend. Scouts and Webelos are not required to have a fishing license, but all Scouters (adults) must have a current Virginia fishing license with a trout stamp. Scouts will be able to start or complete their Fishing Merit Badge. All Scouts must remember to bring their Blue Cards. Webelos may only fish when supervised by a Scouter (adult/parent). There will be two stocked ponds and a nearby stream. Everyone should have a great time fishing. There will be two types of fishing: 1) Catch and Release, and 2) catch, keep, and pay by the pound. The Joint District Spring Camporee program and fees will be announced at a later date. We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2018 Trout-O-Ree!!! What s Inside: October s Featured Organization Calling All Scouters! Life to Eagle Orientation Info From the Commissioner JTE Info Merit Badge Day Update See inside for what makes Elk s Lodge 2355 this month s featured organization! Next month s featured organization - VFW Post 7916! To submit articles, pictures or events please email Stephanie Carter at stephanie@bandwassociates.com
Calling All Scouters! Where are you in your Scouting journey? As time goes on we often find the Scouting fire still burns bright but the one hour a week is more than we have time to give or we just want to contribute in a different way. If this rings true, then I Want YOU! On the facing page is the District Organization Chart. Look and see if there is a spot for you, we have lots of openings, just find your passion. Here are some of the ways the District serves: Unit service (Commissioners). Roundtable - Unit Commissioners - Recharter Unit Continuity helping units through leadership changes & conflicts Programs Advancement - Life to Eagle - Merit Badge Dean Training - IOLS Activities and Civic Service (OA, Scouting for Food, Parades) Camping and Outdoor Camporees, Day Camp, Pinewood Derby Membership Youth Recruitment JSN - New Unit Development - Webelos Transition Finance / Fundraising Popcorn - Camp Cards - and more! Not sure where to serve? No problem! You can join the District Committee as a Member-at-Large and we ll work together to identify an area you d like to serve in.
Special Needs Scouting Shannon Augustine Scouting for Food Marla Deem MB Dean Ed Fairbairn Recognition Dinner Chanel Marquis Popcorn Sue Straka Camp Cards Exploring Lions Pilot Day Camp Promotion Religious Programs Jenny Coleman Marketing Cmte Chair Stephanie Carter Training Chair Dan Chartier District Eagle Jerry Saggers Summer Camp Promotion Prince William Good Scout Dinner Awards Bob Fenlason Webelos Transition Dan Marquis Activities Community FOS Camp Promotion & Outdoors Jimmy Spoo VC Program Len Ritter Aquatics Camping Jim Spoo High Adventure Lee Hutchins Health & Safety International Scouting Jimmy Spoo Religious Program Alice Nelson Risk Management STEM Justin Youtz Camporees NCAC Committee Reps: Pinewood Derby Varsity/Venture/Ship Tim Uecker Rick Sacket Pete DeSalva Jim Whipple Jack Zeto Nominating Committee Chair Bob Fenlason National Capital Area Council, BSA STEM Justin Youtz Boy Scouts Jim Whipple District Webmaster Ken Eggers OA Chapter Adviser Jack Zeto Day Camp Director Angela Roth Cub Scout District Executive Chris Huston Join Scouting Night Chanel Marquis Advancement & Recognition Erik Dorman District Chair Dave Byrne Family FOS Andy Tainter VC Finance Dave Walton District Commissioner Mark Chipman New Unit Cordinator VC Membership Chanel Marquis Occoquan District Occoquan Organizational Chart 10-17
Troop 501 Webelos Activities Troop 501 will be conducting a two day Scouting event for Webelos Scouts on October 28 and October 29. The event is called the Webelos Safari Campout, and it will take place at Leesylvania State Park. Webelos Scouts will check in at 9:00AM on Saturday. The morning activities will include setting up the camp and receiving skills lessons. After lunch, the Webelos Scouts will participate in the Safari Adventure using skills taught during the morning hours. Everyone will then enjoy dinner followed by a campfire. On Sunday morning, after the Scout s Own Service, all Webelos Scouts will check out at 10:00AM. The cost per Webelos Scout will be $7 for food, and everything else will be provided by Troop 501. Please RSVP Scoutmaster501@gmail.com so the Troop will have an idea of how many will attend this event. A parent or Den Leader must attend this Campout with their Webelos Scouts. Please inform Troop 501 of any allergies or restrictions that your Webelos Scouts might have. Troop 501 will also be having an Open House on October 10, 2017 at Freedom High School from 7:008:30PM. Webelos Scouts are invited to participate in one of Troop 501 s Troop Meetings, and each attendee will learn how to pack for the Safari Campout and set up once they arrive at the Campout. They will also be instructed on how to prepare for emergencies, and all of the parents are welcomed to attend this meeting to learn about Troop 501 s approach to Scouting. Additionally, Troop 501 is happy to come to your Webelos Den Meeting to help everyone prepare for a Campout or meet other Webelos requirements. Please contact Justin Youtz at Scoutmaster501@gmail.com. Life To Eagle Orientation Monday, October 23, 2017 7:00pm Location: Grace Baptist Church 14242 Spriggs Road Woodbridge, VA 22191 The Life to Eagle Orientation focuses on providing guidance to Scouts, and their parents, who have achieved the rank of Life. Helpful information is provided as they embark upon the last leg of their journey to the rank of Eagle Scout. Eagle Leadership Project: What is Expected Process of Planning the Leadership Project The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook Completing the Eagle Scout Application Question and Answer Session Questions? Contact Erik Dorman at erikdorman@comcast.net
October s Featured Organization! The Elks, Troop 1390, and Jim Whipple By Jimmy Spoo, Assistant Editor The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (B.O.P.E.) Lodge 2355 in Dale City, Virginia has been the Chartering Organization for Troop 1390 since 1974. Elks Lodge 2355 and Troop 1390 have worked closely together supporting the Dale City 4th of July Parade, the Adopt A Highway Program, and the Elks Lodge s annual Flag Day celebration. Troop 1390 has been the unit that has served over three hundred Scouts since its inception. Over seventy-five of these Scouts have obtained the rank of Eagle Scout, and over one hundred Scouters have been registered with the Troop. Scouts from Troop 1390 have enjoyed camping experience and Scouting adventures in the Bahamas, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Troop s Scouts have also completed numerous service projects at such places as: Quantico National Cemetery, Prince William Forest Park, Prince William Park Authority, ACTS - Prince William County Homeless Shelter, Dale City Historical Trail, Muriel Humphrey Respite Day Care Center, Rikkis Refuge, Talgren Baseball for Leukemia, Prince William County Hypothermia Shelter, the Relay For Life, and they have assisted many Prince William County schools. Jim Whipple is the Chartering Organization Representative (COR) and serves as the direct link between Elks Lodge 2355 and Troop 1390. Whipple began his career as a youth in 1966 with Troop 48 in Long Branch, New Jersey. Then, shortly after moving to Woodbridge, Virginia in 1969 he became Troop 1365 s first Eagle Scout. As a youth, he also earned his Youth Religious Award, the Explorer s Silver Achievement Award, and four Eagle Palms. Additionally, he served as a Crew Leader for his Philmont Trek in 1970 and served as a member of the Eagle Scout Honor Corps during the 1973 Presidential Inauguration. Whipple presently serves as a member of the Occoquan District Committee, and he is a Committee Member for Troop 1390 and Sea Scout Ship 7916. He has served as a Campmaster for nine District Camporees, and attended National Scout Jamborees in 1973, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005, and 2010. Whipple has received the District Award of Merit, the Adult Religious Award, the Distinguished Commissioner s Service Award, the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor, and the Silver Beaver. He was recognized by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, presenting him and his son with a Commendation Certificate for becoming the County s first father and son to earn their Eagle Scout as members of the same Troop. We salute Jim Whipple, Troop 1390, and Elks Lodge 2355 for their service to the Boy Scouts of America, the Occoquan District, and the Prince William County.
From the District Commissioner Recharter dates are upon us once again. This process ensures that your Scout unit is officially registered with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Rechartering will take place on Saturday, November 4, 2017 and on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Both events will take place at the Lake Ridge Baptist Church at 12450 Clipper Drive in Lake Ridge. During the rechartering process it is important to list all Scout Leaders and Committee Members who have completed their required position specific training. Trained Scout Leaders and Committee Members are the key to having a well organized unit that provides a quality program for all of your Scouts. We encourage all unit leaders and committee members to attend training courses provided by the District Committee. In recent years we haven t had a sufficient number of leaders sign up for our training events. We hope that all registered Scouters in the District will participate in future training events. To all District Scout Leaders and Committee Members that have completed their training, the Scouts and I thank you. Journey to Excellence (JTE) With the end of 2017 approaching, it s time for leaders in the Occoquan District to submit their units for the Journey to Excellence (JTE) award. Meeting the requirements required for earning the JTE Award shows how active a unit is and the quality of the program the unit is offering its members. Here are the units that won the JTE Gold Award in 2016. Pack 35 Pack 117 Pack 136 Pack 289 Pack 295 Pack 454 Pack 501 Pack 611 Pack 1149 Pack 1189 Pack 1353 Pack 1357 Pack 1363 Pack 1364 Pack 1364 Pack 1365 Pack 1373 Pack 1374 Pack 1385 Pack 1456 Pack 1656 Troop 35 Troop 43 Troop 102 Troop 189 Troop 295 Troop 501 Troop 857 Troop 964 Troop 1356 Troop 1357 Troop 1363 Troop 1365 Troop 1367 Troop 1369 Troop 1378 Troop 1390 Troop 1396 Troop 1456 Troop 1656 Troop 1919 Crew 295 Crew 1356 Crew 1357 Crew 1456 Team 1356 Team 1456 Ship 7916 Troop 1952
Occoquan Chapter Fall Ordeal By Jimmy Spoo, Assistant Editor The Occoquan Chapter of the Amamgemak Wipit Lodge 470 of the Order of the Arrow (OA) held it s Fall Ordeal from September 29 -- October 1, 2017 at the Meadowkirk Retreat Center in Middleburg, Virginia. Thirty-four Scouts and Scouters attended this event. Fifteen candidates underwent their OA Ordeal (12 Scouts and 3 Scouters), and nineteen Chapter members served on the event s Staff. Among the fifteen candidates undergoing the Ordeal were three brothers, twin brothers, a father and son, and three Scouts from other Districts (George Mason, Goose Creek, and Patriot). All of the candidates completed their Ordeal and became Ordeal Members of the Amamgemak Wipit Lodge 470. Three (2 Scouts and 1 Scouter) other Chapter members attended the OA Ordeal undergoing their Brotherhood conversion. Each of them successfully completed their conversion and became Brotherhood members of the Lodge. The Ordeal members completed a service project as part of their Ordeal. In addition to refurbishing the Retreat Center s primary trail as requested by the Meadowkirk Staff, the OA Chapter completed a comprehensive clean up of the facility s trail system. The weather was perfect during this OA Weekend in the beautiful countryside of Virginia, and the Fall season officially arrived when the temperature dipped down into the 40s Saturday night. Outstanding Scouter By Jimmy Spoo, Assistant Editor Occoquan District members active in shooting sports visited Nokesville on September to attend Troop 671 s Court of Honor. Jerry Saggers, Jason Lips, and Jimmy Spoo attended the event and honored Life Scout Stephen Verosko for his work as a shooting sports instructor at the Goshen 50 Camporee earlier this year. During this event, Verosko demonstrated his ability to assist with running the Skeet Range for the Scouts attending the Camporee. His hard work helped with creating a safe shooting event, as well as making it possible for more Scouts to enjoy an exciting Scouting activity.
Prince William RECYCLES DAY Recycling Matters Free Landfill Event 14811 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA Saturday, October 14 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Landfill Tours, Recycle Art Display, Face Painting, Food, Music, Games, Merit Prizes, Badge and more Day Occoquan District Edutainment Recycling Pirates-Good When: Monday 15 January 2018 (MLK Holiday) Life Theatre Where: Freedom High School, 15201and Neabsco Mills Road 11 a.m. 1 p.m. What Does Registration Include: Eight hours of merit badge sessions Lunch by Sponsored Concession Punches for snacks Fees for class materials are not included. How Do We Sign Up: Online registration expected to go live soon. Some classes will have prerequisites and/or post-class requirements. Sponsored by Occoquan District Organized by Troops 1356 and 1656