Boy Scouts of America, National Capital Area Council

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is 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. National Capital Area Council (NCAC) was organized in 1911 and today stands as one of the oldest and the largest Council in America.

The council territory is comprised of 23 districts serving ten counties in Northern Virginia, six counties in Maryland and the District of Columbia. NCAC currently serves over 32,000 youth (boys and girls) through the dedication of over 14,000 adult volunteers. The highly respected rank of Eagle Scout was earned by 1,331 Scouts last year and our retention rate is
71%, one of the highest in the Nation.

The vision for NCAC is to accomplish the mission of the Boy Scouts of America in such an exemplary manner as to be recognized as the premier youth organization in the communities we serve. NCAC Scouting programs provide local youth with a positive environment where they can maximize their own strengths and work at a pace that challenges them to be the best they can possibly be. Youth members are organized into local Scouting units (packs, troops, crews, teams, ships and/or posts), depending on their age and program. Each unit is chartered to a local community organization, including churches, civic clubs, and community businesses. These units help support the local community and the programs help youth develop character, citizenship, personal fitness, career interests and an appreciation for the environment. This is accomplished through rank advancement, service to others and outdoor activities. 

Success in the advancement program can be measured by the number of local youth who achieved Scouting's highest rank - Eagle Scout.  To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. 

Service to others is reflected in the requirements for Eagle Scout as each candidate must complete an Eagle Scout community service project. However, all Scouts regardless of rank or age are encouraged to participate in community service. More than 200,000 community service hours were reported by area units for service projects completed by Scouts last year! 

Guided by caring and committed mentors, youth gain self-confidence, develop leadership skills, learn about self-sacrifice and teamwork embrace values like honesty and courage, show respect for the outdoors and simply have the time of their lives. 

That's the adventure that the Boy Scouts of America provides.