Have you heard about the History of Scouting Trail in Washington DC? Did you know that BSA began right here in Washington DC? Scoutmasters regularly met at the White House as the movement gained momentum. Presidents Taft and Wilson were instrumental in getting things started, and there's so much more little-known history of the Scouting movement right in our own town. For example, the movement was floundering until the 1913 presidential inauguration when police "lost" control of the crowd during a woman's suffrage parade and Boy Scouts (who all carried staves at the time) stepped in and controlled the rowdy crowd and served first aid.
The trail tells the story of Scouting history with first-person interactive challenges where all the history went down. Baden-Powell, Boyce, Juliette Low, Livingstone, James West -- they were all here in our city making it happen, and this National History Of Scouting trail retraces the steps from the Willard Hotel to "Scout Square" at Connecticut and S Street to the White House Victory Gardens planted and plowed by Scouts and so much more.
Opening Is Specifically for NCAC Only! Registration is for units, groups or individuals
Trail Inaugural Weekend – Memorial Day Weekend
Hikes can be done May 25, 26 or 27, 2013 – Sat. or Sun. or Mon.
SPECIAL Inaugural Trail Medal available by purchase to the FIRST 3,000 to Register & Complete the Colin H. Livingstone Hike
(NOTE – Registrations are prioritized by order of payment received. Those after the first 3,000 will have the regular Trail medal available. You can register in the first 3,000 regardless of which day you hike.)
There are 3 Medal Hikes and 1 Cub-level Hike. Only 2 Trails will be open Inaugural Weekend.
The Colin Livingstone Hike – approx 6 miles, qualifies to purchase a medal at the completion for $10. Anyone – Scouts, Cubs, leaders, adults, committee, Girl Scouts, parents, brothers or sisters may register, complete the trail and purchase the medal. However, the medal is designed to be worn only by a uniformed Scout person. The special medal is 24k gold plated and individually numbered. Only 3,000 will be available! This hike starts near the Taft Bridge and ends near the Archives Metro.
The History Hike – is the shortest at 2.5 miles (approximately) and designed for younger hikers or those with limited mobility. At the completion, a special patch (looks like a medal) or souvenir patch will be available for $5. This starts near the National Geographic building and ends near the Archives Metro.
What Is H.O.S.T.?
The H.O.S.T. hike is part Treasure Hunt, Challenge Trail, History Hike and ALL FUN. The FIRST STEP is to get your registration in for $10 times the number of people your unit thinks will be on the hike. You will receive your participation patches plus your special NCAC shoulder patches at the check-in the day of your hike, along with your map and challenge sheet.
Is There a Fee?
The $10 Registration provides for your official H.O.S.T. materials, including map, questionnaire and answer form. In addition, all hikers will receive the participation patch and limited Council Shoulder Patch (CSP). Register Early! Registration is $10 per person. Adults, Scouts & guests are eligible. Additional restricted patches will be available for purchase by participants at completion. Proceeds go to support Scouting opportunities, especially in inner-city Washington, D.C.
We Registered...What's Next?
Groups should arrive, and the Hike Leader ONLY should check in one hour before assigned departure time. Check-in time and place (near the Taft Bridge) will be sent to each group leader as soon as details have been finalized. Please be on time. At check-in, the Hike Leader will receive the group’s packet of patches, Questions, Trail Maps, and Answer Forms.
The History & Future of the History Of Scouting Trail
Initially developed as a fundraiser for Inner-City and D.C. Scouting, it has grown to be much much more. Developed originally by P-B, an area Scout Historian, the H.O.S.T. experience is part - Challenge Trail - Treasure Hunt - History Hike - and all fun. Utilizing the National Monuments and Landmarks of Washington D.C., the Trail links each part to some historically significant link to the History of Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America itself, was born right here in Washington, D.C. Did you know that all Eagle Scout Awards in the early years were presented at the White House? Or when was the last year that all Scoutmasters were officially paid? You will - this and more interesting fun facts and stories when you go on the Trail.
The Trail will eventually be a series of 3 Hikes, each progressively longer and more challenging. The first one to open will be the 6 mile Colin Livingstone Hike that begins at the Taft Memorial Bridge, the first Honorary National President of the BSA, and ends at one of the three 'Special Partners' that have teamed up with this project - The Newseum, The International Spy Museum, and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The Hikes will have clues by the White House, The Ellipse, The Washington Monument, The WWII Memorial, The Boy Scout Commemorative Tribute Memorial and even the exact place of the origin of the Boy Scouts of America. Walk where the grandfathers of todays Scouts walked with Baden-Powell, Dan Beard, E.T. Seton. and James E. West.
Once complete and the challenges are fulfilled, the hikers are eligible to purchase a very special Hike Medal and patch.
Though the Hikes will all be eventually open to everyone, Scouts and non-Scouts, a special invitation will be forwarded to the 50,000 Scouts and 200,000 visitors expected in D.C. because of the National Jamboree this summer. The launch of the H.O.S.T. will be something special for area Scouts. The Inaugural Weekend of the H.O.S.T. will be Memorial Day Weekend, and will be open ONLY to Units and their friends and families from the National Capital Area Council. And for this Inaugural event a special 24k gold plated and individually numbered from 1 to 3000 medal will be issued. The Trail will be open for decades, but this weekend is the only time this medal will ever be offered - and only to the first 3000 that sign up! Units can sign up for Sat or Sun or Mon of that weekend!
Also a special 2.5 mile History Hike will be available for younger Cubs, those with mobility issues, or those who want more challenge. The questions and clues on this Hike will be different and though not a medal, a very special award will be available for those completing this shorter Hike. All Hikes are wheelchair accessible and service dog friendly.
The National Capital Area Council is proud to have the opening of the first Historic Trail hike that is based on Scout History. The Council has set up a special account so all the proceeds can help inner-city Scouting, and financially challenged Scouting units in Washington, D.C. Soon Scouts from all over the world visiting Washington, D.C. will have the opportunity to experience the H.O.S.T. - but if you want the special memory of being there when it started by participating in the inaugural launch - and earn the chance to purchase the special trail medal - then be one of the first 3,000 hikers! Sign up today for the Inaugural Weekend of the History Of Scouting Trail. Click the "Continue" button below.
There are no refunds for this event and the fees cannot be credited toward another event. This policy is true for any event with fees of $25.00 or less per participant/registrant unless stated otherwise.
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