Summer Camp at Summit Bechtel Reserve

(June 28 - July 4)

This year, troop 680 returned to the Summit Bechtel Reserve for summer camp after visiting Ockanickon Scout Reservation  last year.  Troop 680 had a fun and successful time at the Summit.   The Troop earned a lot of Merit Badges and did a lot of activities. Troop 680 also received the Honor Troop award and every single shooting award that Summit had to offer.  The Scouts had a lot of fun doing their Merit Badges on Monday-Thursday and fun doing other activities on Friday.   The newest Scouts in the Troop also participated in a new Scout program (called Brownsea Island) every morning except Friday.  On Friday. some of the Scouts did the Big Zip, some did whitewater rafting, some did shooting sports activities , some did other random activities, and some sat and hung out around camp.   Many Scouts also did a lot of whittling while sitting around our campsite.  We also built an evening  campfire on Wednesday in our campsite and invited one of the other Troops over to enjoy the campfire.  Overall Troop 680 had a very good time at Summit and got a lot of Merit Badges.   

Sandy Point State Park 

(April 18-19)

Troop 680 went on a short overnight campout from April 18-19 at Sandy Point State Park in Maryland.  The Troop arrived early Saturday morning and went for a five-mile hike along the Corcoran Trail to complete the Second Class requirement to hike five miles using a map and compass.  Along the way the Scouts practiced navigation skills and enjoyed nature, including seeing a large snake just off the trail.  In the afternoon several Scouts completed requirements and hiked the short distance to the beach.  Several Scouts also made ground beds for Camping MB and "slept under the stars" in the perfect weekend weather.  The cooks also kept the Troop well-fed the whole weekend.   

Jumpstart 2026 

(March 13-15, 2026)

On Sunday, March 8, Troop 680 welcomed four new Scouts to the Troop from Pack 680.  In keeping with its tradition, the Troop took the new Scouts on their first Scouts BSA campout to jumpstart their Scouting careers.  At the campout many of the Troop 680 Scouts took turns helping the new Scouts complete the requirements for Scout rank as well as instructing them in new skills.  Among the new skills, the Troop 680 Scouts taught the new Scouts how to use wood tools and manage campfires, allowing them to earn the Totin' Chip and Firem'n Chit.  A large group of Scouts, including some of the new Scouts, also completed a few segments of one of the many orienteering courses available from the Prince William Forrest Park ranger station.  The Scouts closed out Saturday with a traditional campfire.   

Winter Chill Tent Campout 

(February 21-22, 2026 )

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Troop 680 Scouts left Northrop Hall for Big Run State Park, Maryland.  When they arrived, the Scouts set up camp, and then enjoyed lunch.  They then had the afternoon free, and many took the opportunity to explore the surrounding woods.  The  Scouts had dinner, cleaned up, and then watched ice age, a 2002 children's animated movie.  After another short cleanup, Scouts headed to bed after a long day of camping.  In the morning, the Scouts broke camp, and headed to St. Mary Catholic Church, before returning to Northrop Hall to store gear and go home. 

Duty to God - NCCS Jubilee Patch 

(Sunday - November 16, 2025)

Continuing with its Duty to God and Service month in November, Troop 680 Scouts led by the SPL and Chaplain's Aide, decided to complete the requirements for the Jubilee 2025 Patch.at the Troop meeting on November 16 .  The Jubilee Patch was a special patch authorized by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and added to the Faith Series of activities in 2025 to commemorate the Jubilee of Hope proclaimed by Pope Francis.  In order to earn the patch Scouts had to complete the requirements between December 24, 2024, and January 6, 2026.   With the help of Father Tom, pastor of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, the Scouts of Troop 680, together with Cub Scouts of Pack 680, completed all of the requirements at the meeting and will receive this special patch at the Scout Sunday mass in February.   

Scouting for Food 

(Door Tag Distribution Nov. 1; Food Collection Nov. 8))

On Saturday November 8th, 18 Troop 680 Scouts joined by two Cub Scouts from Pack 680 and more than 15 adults worked hard to collect food from approximately 2,700 homes in nearby neighborhoods to benefit the United Community (UC) food bank in Alexandria as part of the BSA’s nationwide Scouting for Food effort.  The Scouts and adults of Troop and Pack 680 collected 6,244 pounds of nonperishable food for UC and broke the all-time record for food collection by Troop 680 by more than 22%.  This year, the Pack and the Troop split the work, with the Pack putting up door tags on all of the homes in our area advertising the pickup and the Scouts doing the heavy lifting of collecting the food.  Troop 680 would like to thank everyone who participated in this event for their effort.  By contributing to the annual Scouting for Food campaign, Scouts helped feed their neighbors.

Accotink Bay District Camporee 

(October 17-19)

Troop 680 participated in the Accotink Bay District Camporee the weekend of October 17-19, at the American Legion Youth Camp in Cheltenham, MD.  The Camporee celebrated 115 years of Scouting, and the Scouts of Troop 680 were joined by more than 150 other Scouts from within and outside our District to celebrate this milestone.   At the Camporee the Scouts participated in a number of Scouting-themed games and skill tests as well as some Scouting heritage activities designed to help Scouts earn the Scouting Heritage Merit Badge.  Most of the Troops participating in the Camporee led program areas, and Troop 680 was no exception.  We provided a "Chariot Racing" station where Scouts had to lash together their chariot and then race it.  Troop 680 came in second place on the lashing skills test part of the activity.  At the end of the day, the Scouts enjoyed the camaraderie of the evening campfire.  They also competed in the competition for best campsite by building an archway, setting up a perimeter, and posting information and displaying patrol flags.  We also hosted an AOL Scout from Pack 1076 for dinner.  All-in-all, it was a great Camporee.

Sandy Spring Adventure Park Campout 

(September 26-28)

From September 26-28, Troop 680 went camping at Sandy Spring adventure park in Sandy Spring, Maryland.  There, the Scouts participated in a ropes and zipline course experience. in the aerial forest   There  were a range of difficulties and types of courses that Scouts could undertake.   On this adventure, the Troop 680 Scouts were joined by a couple of AOL Scouts from Pack 680 who we hope will join Troop 680 in the spring when they are ready to crossover from Cub Scouts.  After the aerial courses and a hearty lunch, Scouts divided into two teams and had a blast throwing axes at targets, where there was a crushing victory on a certain side.  After a long day, Scouts had a little trouble packing up in the evening, before heading home the next day for some much earned and needed rest.

Good Shepherd International Festival 

(August 29 - September 1)

Over the Labor Day weekend Troop 680 Scouts and Leaders volunteered at the Good Shepherd International Festival in a variety of ways, including putting out race course signs Friday night for the 5K and 1 mile fun runs; serving as course marshals and distributing water for the races on Saturday; helping with some setup for the Festival Sunday evening; camping overnight Sunday to Monday to keep an eye on things for the Church; and running the children's obstacle course at the Festival on Sunday.   The Festival – the 50th for the Church – was a huge success and a lot of fun.  Congratulations also to Danny B for winning the 1-mile fun run.   

Volunteering at the Festival annually is a small way the Troop can say thank you to Good Shepherd Catholic Church for supporting the Troop throughout the year by providing meeting spaces, helping Scouts earn religious emblems, supporting the Troop's Duty to God month in November, hosting the annual Scout mass, and allowing Pack and Troop 680 to sell popcorn and wreaths each year to support their respective activities. 

Assateague Beach Campout 

(August 25-27, 2025)

From Friday August 25th to Sunday August 27th, Troop 680 made its annual trip to Assateague State Park.  This is a popular and recurring campout. Scouts drove up Friday night and drove out Sunday morning, Saturday morning, Scouts ate breakfast and raised the American and Troop flags. Regretfully the remnants of hurricane Erin did not allow the Scouts to venture  too far out in the waves.  However, that didn't stop the Scouts from having fun.  Cities were built in the sand, Scouts went boogie boarding, and sunburn was distributed among those who did not heed the warnings.  Of course we had to do the Navy Seal challenge. It was a beautiful day on and off the beach as well, with a breeze and very few bugs and surprisingly no horses invaded our campsite.  All in all, it was a good campout. Scouts were efficient packing up the campsite. At mass on the way home, Scouts were welcomed by their friends in Delmar, Maryland, and a select few were able to serve as ushers. Scouts then went straight home, and did a great job packing out. finally closing out the campout. The Troop looks forward to going back to Assateague next year.