Annual Traditions
Only a few things repeat every year: the Aquia District spring and fall camporees, the IWLA Fishing Derby, and our own Campsgiving.
Spring Camporee
Every spring the Aquia District brings its troops together for a weekend of patrol competition, and newly elected Order of the Arrow candidates are called out at the campfire. Recent themes: Pirates of Aquia (2024, IWLA), The Royal Court of Izaak Walton (2025, IWLA) and Dirty Jobs (2026, Rappahannock Camp).
Fall Camporee
The district's fall camporee is a themed weekend of patrol stations and campfire skits. Recent themes: ZURVIVOR (2023, Curtis Park), FALLOUT (2024, Flying Circus Aerodrome) and America 250 (2026, Curtis Park).
Fishing Derby
Our biggest service weekend: scouts help our charter partner, the Izaak Walton League, run its community fishing derby for local kids, then camp on the grounds.
Campsgiving
Our own Thanksgiving campout at the IWLA grounds, held every November since 2023. Patrols plan and cook a full Thanksgiving-style feast over camp stoves, fires and Dutch ovens.
Photos come from the troop's private Band and Facebook group, shared with permission. Scouts are never named on this site. Families with concerns about a photo can email [email protected]. Many more photos are shared with registered families in our Band app.
Part of Every Troop Year
Not campouts, but always on the calendar: summer camp, Scouting for Food and Courts of Honor.
Summer Camp
A week at summer camp is the high point of the year. The scouts vote on where we go; for 2027 they chose Goose Pond Scout Reservation again.
Scouting for Food
Each fall the troop joins the district food drive: tagging doors with collection bags, then a storefront drive where scouts greet shoppers and sort donations.
Courts of Honor
Families gather to celebrate rank advancement, merit badges and awards. Scouts run the ceremony themselves.
Trip Themes Our Scouts Have Planned
We camp about once a month, but most trips are not repeated every year. Each year the scouts' Patrol Leaders' Council picks the kinds of outings they want at the annual planning meeting. These are examples of trips and themes the troop has done; next year's list is up to the scouts.
Dark Sky Stargazing
A hike-in overnight at Sky Meadows State Park, under some of the darkest skies near home.
Horsemanship Weekend
A campout at a stable built around the Horsemanship merit badge.
Waterfront & Aquatics
Belle Isle on the Rappahannock: swimming, boating and a long shoreline hike.
Canoeing Trips
Paddling campouts where scouts learn canoe strokes, water safety and teamwork on the water.
Navigation Hikes
Map-and-compass and orienteering campouts, like Belle Isle in the spring.
Mountain Hiking
Trail weekends such as Cunningham Falls and the Devils Marble Yard elevation hike.
Biking Campout
Scout-planned biking weekend near Berkeley Springs, WV.
Indoor Climbing at Rapp Rocks
An overnighter at Rapp Rocks, an indoor climbing gym.
Winter Camping
Cold-weather skills at district Winteree and Klondike events.
History Trip
Exploring Colonial Williamsburg in December.
Troop Lock-in
A winter indoor overnight of games and movies.
Trout Pond, WV
A July campout with swimming and hiking.
Lake Arrowhead, Luray
A spring campout in the Shenandoah Valley.
Apple Picking
Picking apples together at Hollin Farms.
Shake-down Camp
A fall overnight at IWLA where new scouts learn to pack, pitch and cook.
Looking for dates? The Calendar has the year outlook and every upcoming meeting and campout.