Culpeper to help mark Boy Scouts' 100th year

READY FOR D.C. PARADE: Members of Venture Crew 198 row, row, row their float gently down the street during the Fireman's Parade last May. They’ll participate in the Boy Scouts of America’s Grand Centennial Parade Saturday in Washington, D.C.

By Nate Delesline III, ndelesline@starexponent.com, (540) 825-0771 ext. 110
Published: July 22, 2010

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A handful of local residents will represent Culpeper Saturday at the Boy Scouts of America’s Grand Centennial Parade in Washington, D.C.

Nearly 10,000 people are expected to participate in the parade honoring the 100th anniversary of scouting. The march begins down Constitution Avenue, and is expected to be one of the largest scouting parades in Washington since 1937, according to scouting’s National Capital Area Council.

Seven members of Venture Crew 198 will attend, led by Jeanette Hawkins. A scouting program for young men and women from ages 14-21, venture units differ from traditional troops.

“The Boy Scouts focus on merit badges,” Hawkins said. “In the venture crew, we focus on leadership skills. It’s a little bit different. It keeps those kids involved at an age when they should be involved.”

Venture crews usually do backcountry camping, whitewater rafting, high rope courses and other intense outdoor activities that require special training and honing their skills.

“We’re representing 1990-2000,” Hawkins said, “so we’ll be at the end of the parade. And we’ll have our flag, and it says Crew 198 and Culpeper.”

The parade will feature five custom floats, each depicting one of scouting’s core principles, another float representing Eagle Scouts, 12 parade balloons, marching bands and equestrian teams. The parade begins at 1 p.m. between 7th and 17th streets.

Following the parade, scouts and the public are invited to visit Adventure Base 100, a mobile exhibit on the National Mall that offers a variety of activities. The exhibit opens Friday and runs through Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily.