Boy Scout Troop from Tampa looking for help in the DC Area

Abu Jack · 01-21-2011, 19:51

I am an Assistant Scout Master for my son's Boy Scout Troop in Florida. We have been teaching leadership this year and "The Message to Garcia" has been one of the cornerstones that we have based our instruction on. We are looking to visit Arlington on our way to summer camp. Col Rowan, who carried the message to Garcia is buried there and we would like to visit his grave. The bottom line is we are looking for someplace to put up 30 Boy Scouts and Adult leaders for 17th and 18th of June at no cost. I'd say within a two hour drive of DC would work. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

JJ_BPK · 01-22-2011, 04:57

Ft A P Hill is only 70 miles (1.5 hrs) South of DC. Is that where you plan to go for the BSA Jamboree?

Ft Myer, Old Guard ??

http://www.jbmhh.army.mil/sites/local/

http://www.jbmhhmwr.com/

Ft Belvoir is less than 12 miles South and may have something.

http://www.belvoirmwr.com/Facilities/Lodging/

Quantico,, 25 miles South,, nuff said..

Abu Jack · 01-22-2011, 09:01

We are going to summer camp at Blue Ridge Scouting Reservation in Pulaski County Va. We don't want to take the extra equipment to camp if we don't have to. So, we are looking for a church hall / pavillion like structure that the boys could just throw their bags down for Friday and Saturday nights and then head to camp early sunday morning.

Thanks again.

**Dan** · 01-22-2011, 09:29

I don't know of anyone with accommodations that would work, but I'll put the word out up there.

Another option might be for a pooling of donations to pay for a stay on Belvoir or a nearby hotel. If others kicked, I'd gladly donate some funds to get enough rooms for two nights.

mark46th · 01-22-2011, 10:01

Too bad Camp Mackall is so far away from D.C. I stayed in some lovely accomodations there in 1971.

albeham · 01-22-2011, 13:47

Let me contact the Church we meet at, Troop 119 Odenton, just outside of Fort Meade.

YIS,

SM AL

incoming email to you...

Abu Jack · 01-23-2011, 08:36

Al,

Thanks PM sent.

All,

I appreciate all the offers to help I have recieved.

Dan,

That is really a generous offer. From all the replies that I have gotten here and from a couple other places I posted, I'm hopeful we won't have to go the hotel route.

Thanks again

AJ

**The Reaper** · 01-23-2011, 10:10

We used to do staff rides to the DC area, and were able to use Guard armories.

Not sure they would do it for non-military, but it never hurts to ask.

Another option might be to contact the area Scouting Council and ask if any of their charter organizations (like churches) might be willing to let you RON there.

Best of luck, this is a very worthy cause for these young men.

TR

albeham · 01-23-2011, 16:31

Working........

Deadhead 63A1 · 01-24-2011, 08:52

Probably redundant given the advice to look at various military installations but I'll throw this out there anyway...

When I was a Boy Scout in upstate NY, we did a weekend trip to Boston and were able to get lodging for little to no cost in an old military (I think Navy or Marine) barracks adjacent to the USS Constitution. We were somehow given the go ahead to eat at the mess hall for a nearby Coast Guard station. A few years later we did a trip to Philmont and the first week was spent visiting sites in Colorado. We were able to stay in some old barracks on Fort Carson for a few days.

So, check with military installations and you might be surprised at what they're willing to offer you...

Abu Jack · 07-07-2011, 04:59

Our troop owes a huge debt of gratitude to QP Albeham.

His troop put us up for two nights at the church that supports his troop. We left Florida at 0400 and got to Md at 2300. Al was waiting for us with drinks and the AC on. Saturday we got up, got breakfast and then headed to DC. We visited Col Rowan's grave and then watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington. After Arlington we checked out a couple of the Smithsonian museums. Sunday morning we got on the road to camp in Va.

I did the Mountain Man program at Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. Cooked all week over an open fire, shot muzzleloaders, threw tomahawks and knives, did blacksmithing, made a green river knife, overall a great time.

Thanks again Al.

AJ

1stindoor · 07-07-2011, 10:52

Nice. Glad to hear everything worked out. My youngest (14) is at camp this week. If all goes well he'll be looking towards his Eagle project next year sometime.

albeham · 07-07-2011, 14:27

Damm I look fat... OK I am fat..

Like I said anytime .. Good deed helping your troop..

AL