Pack Charity and Service Events

Flag Detail & Pledge of Allegiance Ceremonies

Our Pack regularly supports the North Springfield Civic Association's (NSCA) meetings, which occur on the first Wednesday of select months throughout the year. We also support the North Springfield Swim Club's opening ceremony on Memorial Day weekend and are available for other special events as they arise in support of the broader Ravensworth Farm/North Springfield Community. 

Please consider joining any or all of these events as listed on the Pack Calendar. These are simple, short, and impactful ways to meet and showcase our Pack to the community and provide lasting memories for all Scout participants.

For the NSCA meetings: 

Who: All Scouts are invited and encouraged to attend, regardless of age or experience.

What: To support the opening of the meeting by marching flags into the cafeteria (a/k/a "Flag Detail") and leading participants in the Pledge of Allegiance. Adult Leaders (Scouters), older Scouts (Scouts BSA), and sometimes Girl Scouts (GSUSA) all work together with Cub Scouts to run this event.  

When: Arrive at 7:15 pm, opening event at 7:30 pm, and depart by 7:45 pm. Scouts are welcome to stay for the approximately one-hour long meeting, but it is not required or expected. 

Where: North Springfield Elementary School (NSES) Cafeteria.  

Why: To support the community, at the request of the NSCA President and members. 

How: No training or prior experience is necessary. Flags will be provided. Scouts of all ages just need to show up in uniform, look professional, follow commands, and be willing to participate. They will receive 5-10 minutes of basic instruction from Scouters and older Scouts before the event. In short, they will march flags from the rear to the front of the assembled meeting (following voice commands) and then lead participants the Pledge of Allegiance. They will then march out and the task is concluded.    

Lake Accotink Monthly Cleanup (9:00-11:00am) 

Note: this is not a Pack sponsored Activity. It helps the broader community.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lake-accotink-park-monthly-clean-up-tickets-320303324867

Volunteering - Fairfax County Virginia 

WHEN: 2nd Sun of every month,  TIME: 9:00am -11:00ish

WHERE: Lake Accotink Park Marina

ACTIVITIES: Work on the Pollinator Garden (start 10am with Plant Experts). Pick-up trash (start at 9am) in your assigned area and fill your trash bags with debris carelessly dumped, dropped. Note: Long sleeves, gloves, boots and long pants are encouraged. Bags, gloves, vests, and tools are provided.

"We protect, restore, preserve and educate all concerning the natural, historical and cultural resources of Lake Accotink Park."

e-mail: contact@flapaccotink.org;  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsoflakeaccotinkpark/  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/accotinkfriends  Instagram: @friendsoflakeaccotinkpark  

ECHO Donations

Pack 991 collects various items clothing and household items throughout the program year, in conjunction with the Ravensworth Elementary School Parent Teacher Association and others. All donations are cleaned and donated to: ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others) in Springfield. 

Past Event -Scouting for Food 2025

Scouting for Food is BSA’s largest annual community service project.  This teaches our Scouts to do a good turn and help feed families in need by collecting non-perishable food and distributing it to local food pantries and food banks. All of our donations will go to ECHO's Food Pantry in Annandale, which serves our local communities. Please make every effort to attend one or both days. 

Part 1: Sticker Delivery - Saturday, November 1st, 2025

All Scouts will meet up at the Ravensworth Elementary School at 9:00 AM to cover that neighborhood, as well as the adjacent Long Pine section/loop of North Springfield. Each map section has approximately 50 houses and takes about an hour to walk. We’ll provide maps and additional instructions that morning (and coffee, hot chocolate, and doughnuts). Each route will be covered by a Boy Scout/Cub Scout team or a Cub Scout/Parent team or a Boy Scout solo/pair.

If Scouts are available that Saturday at all, but not in the morning, please let Sean Tompkins and/or Matt Kurtz know and they will still assign a route to be completed later that day. 

Part 2: Donation Collection - Saturday, November 8th 2025

At 9:00 we will again gather at Ravensworth Elementary School serving breakfast. Afterwards groups of Scouts will start the Pickup routes.  

Scouts will again be given a printed route and assigned in Scout pairs to pick up food. 

Additionally,  some of the adults will relocate to North Springfield Elementary to receive donations brought there. Both neighborhoods have been informed that donation drop offs will be accepted at these two locations from 8:30-12:00. 

Upon completion of each collection route, Scouts should bring donations to one of the two school drop off locations for consolidation. 

Additional information: 

• Last year Pack 991 and Troop 980 collected over 2,220 lbs. of food donations. Let's break the record!

• On the routes, parents typically follow along their assigned neighborhood streets in a vehicle while Scouts collect donations door-to-door (preferred method). Alternatively, Scout teams can use a wagon, if available, and return to either school when complete. The Pack has one wagon for use, but it would be helpful to have a few additional ones on hand. 

• Alternatively, Scouts can opt to bring donations directly to the ECHO food pantry: Ecumenical Community Helping Others | ECHO, Inc. This is a great opportunity to show Scouts the bigger picture of what they are a part of in helping the community.  

• This is a national-level event that is managed by each district. Our Burke Lake District weighs food on-site at ECHO by Troop/Pack and provides a summary to the National Capital Area Council (NCAC). If Scouts opt to take donations directly to ECHO (instead of dropping off and consolidating at one of the schools), it is imperative that they identify themselves as Pack 991 and/or Troop 980, as this is a friendly competition with other units in the Council and District. 

• Also see: Scouting for Food - National Capital Area Council for more information.   

• For questions please contact Sean Tompkins at 703-462-0613 or cubpack991@gmail.com