- This event has passed.
Washington DC Day Trip
August 19, 2018 @ 6:15 am - 8:00 pm EDT
Join us for a day trip to Washington, DC. We will be completing the History of Scouting Trail (HOST) walk followed by visits to the National Museum of Natural History and Air and Space Museum.
More information about the HOST walk can be found at: https://www.ncacbsa.org/activitiesevents/host-hike/history-hike/
Overview and Cost: During our visit we will complete an approximate 2-mile walk called the History of Scouting Trail (HOST) followed by visits to the national mall area and some of the Smithsonian Museums. There is no cost to participate in this event aside from parking/public transportation, individual food expenses, and souvenirs. There are no fees to enter the museums that we plan to visit. The Pack will purchase award medals for all of the scouts that complete this hike in accordance with the instructions. Scouts can earn the History of Scouting Trail Hike Medal by completing 85% or more of the activities associated with the hike.
Meeting Location and Time: We will begin the walk outside of the National Geographic Museum promptly at 10:30 am. If you would like to drive to Washington, there are numerous parking garages in the vicinity of the walk start with costs approximately $15-$20 for the day. Alternatively, the Farragut North Metro station on the Red Line is approximately one block from the trail start. However you plan to get to the start, please provide yourself plenty of time and plan to arrive at the National Geographic Museum no later than 10:15 so that we can begin our walk promptly at 10:30am.
Parking Info: If you plan to park, a list of garages near the National Geographic Building along with their availability and rates can be found on the following site: https://www.ecolonial.com/parkers/parking-locator/?pm_s=National+Geographic+Museum%2C+17th+Street+Northwest%2C+Washington%2C+DC%2C+USA
Metro Info: Alternatively, if you plan to arrive by metro, you can plan your trip using the MTA trip planner. For example, this trip plan leaves Greenbelt Metro station at 9:08am and arrives at Farragut North station at 9:58am: https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/trip-planner-results.cfm?locationLatLng=&destinationLatLng=&location=GREENBELT&destination=FARRAGUT+NORTH+METRO+STATION&travelby-trip-planner=CLR&arrdep-trip-planner=A&hour-leaving-trip-planner=10&minute-leaving-trip-planner=00&period-leaving-trip-planner=AM&month-leaving-trip-planner=8&day-leaving-trip-planner=19&route-trip-planner=T&walk-distance-trip-planner=.75
Hike Map: The following map includes a detailed list of every point of interest along the HOST hike, places where the scouts are required to answer questions, places where scouts are required to take a photo, and turn-by-turn directions of our route. Based on the map, I anticipate finishing the walk at approximately 12:00 noon at Freedom Plaza.
|
Hike Details: While completing the HOST hike, each scout will be required to individually write down answers to ten questions and individually take 6 photographs at designated locations. Additionally, each scout must perform a “good turn” and collect litter found during the walk. In order to facilitate this process each scout must bring with him or her the following items:
1) One plastic bag (small grocery type)
2) 2 Pencils/Pens
3) Camera or ability to take your own 6 photos
4) One Answer card (http://www.ncacbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/HOST-_History_Hike_Response_.pdf)
5) Copy of Hike Challenge Questions pamphlet (http://www.ncacbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/History_Hike_Challenge_Quest.pdf)
6) Proper hike clothing, hat
7) Water bottle
8) Remainder of 6 essentials. Snack, whistle, first aid kit, sun protection (shouldn’t need a light).
We will bring a few extra copies of the answer card and challenge questions, but please plan to bring your own copy if possible. The instructions request that scouts complete the walk in uniform; however, it will likely be hot and humid and I would rather the scouts be safe and comfortable than be in uniform. Class A uniform is optional if you want to look classy while completing the hike, Class B T-shirts or other comfortable scout-related clothing is recommended.
Lunch: At the conclusion of the hike, we will make our way to the national mall area where we will take a break for lunch. There are typically numerous food trucks available with a variety of food options in this area. If you do not want to buy your lunch, you are welcome to bring your own lunch. Please come prepared with either a packed lunch or money to buy lunch as the Pack will not be providing food on this trip.
Museums: Following lunch, we will have the option of viewing the national mall area and/or visiting some of the Smithsonian Museums to include the Museum of Natural History and/or the Air and Space Museum. Ideally we will remain as a group and have the opportunity to view both museums but I advise parents to monitor the ability of their own scouts and be prepared to break when necessary. Everything looks much closer than it really is on the map and there will be a lot of walking above and beyond the hike. I anticipate easily clocking over 5 miles during the hike and our museum visits. Please plan for your return to either a metro center or your parking garage.