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Program Plans

The Spirit of George Washington Encampment at Mount Vernon will offer the nearly 1,000 Scouts and 150 adult leaders marvelous opportunities to learn more about George Washington during the different phases of his life.  Activities on the evening of Friday, November 5, 1999, will focus on the establishment of campsites by provisional units representing each of the National Capital Area Council's 22 districts, while the following Sunday morning will consist solely of the breakdown of campsites and a thorough clean-up of all areas the Scouts have occupied.  Throughout the intervening Saturday, however, campers will participate in a full and varied program featuring visits to the Mount Vernon mansion and other sites on the plantation, a special salute to George Washington, and an evening campfire.

Following is the tentative program as it has been presented to the Program Chairs of the NCAC's districts.  Links provide access to pages that highlight some of the places where program activities will occur.

Friday, November 5

1700-2000 Participants arrive, offload gear, park vehicles, set up campsites
1900-2100 Informal interaction with reenactors at the First Virginia and First Maryland encampments
2100-2200 Campsite inspections by First Virginia and First Maryland reenactors
2200-2230 Patrol leaders meeting
2300 Taps; lights out and quiet

Saturday, November 6

0700 Reveille; all rise
0700-0830 Breakfast preparation, eating, and clean-up in patrol areas; prepare campsites for inspection
0800-0930 Mansion tours for half of those participating; informal interactions with First Virginia and First Maryland reenactors for others
0930-0945 Opening ceremony on the 12-Acre Field
0945-1000 Morning drill led by First Virginia and First Maryland reenactors
1000-1500 Patrols participate in different activities along "the Washington Trail," including:
u Colonial Games and Youthful Activities
u Surveying
u Rules of Civility
u Military Skills
u Pioneer Farming and Conservation
u Wharf
u The Washingtons' Tomb
u Outbuildings Near the Mansion
u Museum
u A Meeting with President Washington
u Lunch (eaten in shifts at pre-assigned times)
1530-1630 Salute to George Washington Commemorative Ceremony, starting on the 12-Acre Field and then processing past the Washingtons' Tomb
1630-1800 Mansion tours for the other half of those participating; relaxation time for others
1800-2000 Dinner preparation, eating, and clean-up in patrol areas
2000-2045 Gathering to commemorate Washington's observance of religious tolearance and freedom in the Campfire Area on the west side of the 12-Acre Field
2045-2145 Campfire (featuring songs and skits that would have characterized the latter half of the 18th Century)
2230 Taps; lights out and quiet

Sunday, November 7

0700 Reveille; all rise
0700-0845 Breakfast preparation, eating, and clean-up in patrol areas; begin striking campsites
0900-0915 Closing ceremony on the 12-Acre Field
0930-1100 Complete striking of camp, loading of gear, and dismissal of patrols following inspection of their campsites

 

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This site is provided as a service to Scouts and Scouters by the Colonial District, NCAC, BSA, which includes George Washington's Mount Vernon.  Although not an official site of the NCAC, BSA, or Mount Vernon, the site is maintained by Tom Baerwald, who has been appointed by the NCAC to direct the Mount Vernon Encampment, so information should be reasonably accurate.