Why Join Scouting?
Scouting America gives young people the opportunity to explore a world beyond the boundaries of everyday life.
It presents them with chances to:
- Develop new friendships
- Learn teamwork and leadership
- Promotes character development
- Improves family engagement
- Teaches life-long skills
- Encourages community involvement
- Creates core memories
- Introduces new things in a safe environment
These experiences help Scouts while they are young, and stay with them throughout their adult lives, helping them to grow into exceptional men and women who respect their families, communities, religions, countries and themselves and are Prepared. For Life.
Scouting Programs
Scouting America offers five unique programs which all prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Cub Scouts
(Grades K-5) Year-round program for young boys and girls ages 5-10 and their families
Scouts BSA
(Ages 11-17) Year-round outdoor program to develop character, citizenship, leadership, and fitness for boys and girls.
Venturing
(Ages 14-20) Year-round, youth-led program for young men and women all about building adventures.
Sea Scouts
(Ages 14-20) Year-round program for young men and women with adventures focused on/in the water.
Explorer
(Ages 14-20) Real-World, Hands-on Career Discovery for young men and women.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a Scouting unit near me?
Scouting America National Capital Area Council (NCAC) serves the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, including the District of Columbia and 16 counties in Maryland and Virginia.
To find a unit near you, visit BeAScout.org. Once there you’ll enter your zip code and click on the corresponding program to see all the Scouting opportunities in your area!
Can girls join Scouting America?
Yes, girls are encouraged to join any of Scouting America programs, including Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts.
How do I register for Scouting America?
Once you’ve found a unit on BeAScout.org. on the results page:
- select “Apply Now”
- Complete a Youth Application by creating an account with my.scouting.org and submitting your payment.
Once complete, you will be ready to begin your Scouting journey!
Is there a fee to join Scouting America?
Scouting America National Capital Area Council’s annual membership fee is $165 to join for a full year.
Financial support is available to families in need.
Please be aware that local units may have additional fees.
What if I have more questions about Scouting?
Want to learn more?
Below you’ll find the District Executive’s contact for your specific area.
You can email: adventures@ncacscouting.org
Or call our main office at 301-530-9360
Contact Us
Have questions about Scouting? We’re here to help!
Reach out to our team if you have additional questions about specific programs, need help with next steps, or just want to learn more about Scouting opportunities in our National Capital Area Council.
Red Service Area
Aquia District
Serving Stafford County, Virginia and Quantico Marine Corps Base
Kristy Freeman
(301) 214-9135
Mattaponi District
Serving Caroline, King George, and Spotsylvania Counties and the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia
Gabrielle Henry
(301) 214-9144
Piedmont District
Serving Culpeper and Fauquier Counties, Virginia
Angelic Kruse
(301) 214-9164
Prince William District
Serving Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas & Manassas Park, Virginia
Jacob Mosser
(301) 214-9141
Yellow Service Area
Frederick District
Serving Frederick County, Maryland
April Rashell
(301) 214-9168
Loudoun District
Serving Loudoun County, Virginia
Melainie Leitert
(301) 214-9162
Districts Serving Montgomery County, Maryland:
Potomac District
Yvonne Peters-Washington
(301) 214-9121
Seneca District
Yvonne Peters-Washington
(301) 214-9121
White Oak District
Daryl Branson
(301) 214-9133
Green Service Area
Accotink Bay District
Serving the Fairfax County portion of Alexandria and the communities of Annandale, Fort Hunt, Hybla Valley, Kingstown, Lorton, Newington, and Springfield
Elena Morey
(301) 214-9128
Burke Lake District
Serving Burke, Fairfax Station, Kings Park, Newington Forest, Wakefield, and West Springfield
Colin Tridone
(301) 214-9122
Cub Run District
Serving Centreville, Chantilly, Fair Lakes, Floris, Greenbriar, McNair, and Sully
David Leavitt
(301) 214-9165
Difficult Run District
Serving Dranesville, Great Falls, Herndon, Oakton, Reston, and the City of Fairfax.
Colin Tridone
(301) 214-9122
Wolf Trap District
Serving Bailey’s Crossroads, Idylwood, McLean, Seven Corners, Vienna, Wolf Trap, and the City of Falls Church
Liz Kohler
(301) 214-9147
Blue Service Area
Four Mile Run District
Serving Arlington County and the City of Alexandria, Virginia
Andrew Eacker
(301) 214-9146
Prince George’s District
Serving Prince George’s County, Maryland
Lawson Lipford-Cruz
(301) 214-9141
Washington, D.C. District
Serving Washington D.C.
Christa Waterwiese
(204) 395-0602
Western Shore District
Serving Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties, Maryland
Christine McDanal
(240) 395-0606
Set Up for Success.
Scouting for young men and women helps meet six essential needs of the young people growing up in our society:
- Mentoring
- Lifelong Learning
- Faith Traditions
- Serving Others
- Healthy Living
- Building Character.
The Scouting Edge
A recent study conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Scouting America shows that those who have been involved in Scouting as youth or adults have what we are calling a “Scouting edge.”
The enduring value of Scouting continues to give youth an edge in life and places them on a path toward success.
Scouts and Alumni strongly believe that hard work is a key value and they see honesty as a critical behavior for the world and themselves. They are more likely to engage in positive behaviors, and more likely to act in ways that are considered ethical and moral. Scouting has positive effects on one’s leadership abilities and the competency to help others accomplish their goals.
Proven.
Scouting has helped mold the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun.
For more than 100 years, Scouting programs have instilled in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Today, these values are just as relevant in helping youth grow to their full potential as they were in 1910.
Connected.
While various activities and youth groups teach basic skills and promote teamwork, Scouting goes beyond that and encourages youth to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community.
In Scouting selflessness and kindness towards others are celebrated and important to being a good citizen.
Better Equipped for Life.
Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, peer pressure can be resisted and the right choices can be made.
Read Study links Scouting with better mental health later in life
Outdoors
Outdoor adventure is the promise made to young people when they join Scouting. In the outdoors we strive to meet the Aims of Scouting. Scouts have opportunities to acquire skills that make them more self-reliant. They can explore canoe and hiking trails and complete challenges they first thought were beyond their ability. Scouts who are challenged with outdoor adventures are pushed physically and mentally to accomplish tasks from start to finish, building confidence and a positive outlook.
