Supporting local youth through Scouting.
Prime the Pump, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, was founded to sponsor BSA scouting units, starting with Boys' and Girls' Troops 167 at Mount Olivet Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia, and possibly including a cub pack and/or venturing crew in the future. Mount Olivet sponsored the troop for 70 years, until the state and national church organizations told churches to stop formally sponsoring scouting. The troop and the church had worked hard to develop a great relationship over the years, and did not want anything to change, but we both wanted to be proactive and adapt to the new reality instead of waiting and hoping for extensions, deferrals etc. So we became the first scouting unit, as far as we know, to start a new organization to sponsor the troop in response to the United Methodists' action. Now other groups are doing the same, and we would like to share our experience about things to do, and not to do.
"The purposes of the corporation are limited to charitable and educational purposes as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code; and in particular to (a) sponsoring and supporting one or more Scouting units whose former sponsoring organizations, which are tax-exempt religious institutions, are no longer able or willing to sponsor them, and (b) doing so for the following reasons and by the following methods: To prepare young people in and around Arlington County, Virginia, regardless of economic status, race, gender-related factors, national origin, or religion, to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them values such as trustworthiness, service to others, and Scouting’s longtime values and practices of social solidarity, diversity, equity and inclusion, by supporting and enabling Scouting programs in which young people can participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including but not limited to short term and long term camping, canoeing, hiking, high adventure and other outdoor activities; to teach young people life skills the mastery of which is recognized by advancement in rank and/or the earning of merit badges; to teach young people self-reliance; to train young people in leadership through consistent application of the Patrol Method; to provide these opportunities to youth in and around Arlington County, Virginia, regardless of economic status, race, gender-related factors, national origin, or religion; to make these Scouting activities convenient and accessible both for those with and without private transportation; and to encourage younger as well as older adults to continue these activities and commitments and remain involved in leading or supporting such Scouting programs in accordance with their abilities."
—Articles of Incorporation
CUB PACK 167
Pack 167 started back up in the summer of 2024, starting with dens from Pack 149 who attend, or live near, Arlington's Science Focus Elementary and Discovery Elementary (formerly Key). It includes girls and boys. We welcome new members at any time of year, but especially in late summer and the beginning of the school year.
SCOUTS BSA TROOP 167
Troop 167 is scout-led, because preparing scouts to lead, take responsibility, and cooperate is the real purpose Scouting. It emphasizes outdoor activities, character development, and community service. It is two troops, girls and boys, but they mostly operate as one.
Video: Scout speaks to the Arlington County Board about the troop and asks for relief from car tax.
Article about troop's car tax situation and its presentation to the County Board.
Contact form if interested in joining or exploring the troop.
How to find your new legislative districts and candidates
Track legislation's progress here (this link will go live when legislation is re-introduced in 2025 session)
Text of last year's version of legislation (only Subsection (9) is new, the rest is already in the Constitution)
Video: Scout speaks to the Arlington County Board about the troop and asks for relief from car tax.
Article about troop's car tax situation and its presentation to the County Board.
primethepumparlington@gmail.com
Tax-deductible donations:
Prime the Pump, Inc.
c/o Mr. Vinh Nguyen, Treasurer
501 North Oakland Street
Arlington, Virginia 22203
EIN is 87-2694479
At first it was a placeholder that I thought sounded like a typical charitable nonprofit name, while we tried to decide on the actual name. But it stuck. For the full explanation, you need to read the lyrics of the song, which appear in our Bylaws:
22. If you are an officer or director, people might ask you about the name of the corporation. If they do, you can tell them it comes from the song “Desert Pete,” written by Billy Edd Wheeler and first performed by the Kingston Trio. It goes like this:
[Video of the Kingston Trio playing "Desert Pete," live]
I was travelin' west of Buckskin on my way to a cattle run,
'cross a little cactus desert under a hot, blisterin' sun.
Thirsty down to my toenails, I stopped to rest me on a stump,
but I tell you I just couldn't believe it when I saw that water pump.
I took it to be a mirage at first. It'll fool a thirsty man.
Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin' powder can.
"This pump is old," the note began, "but she works. So give'er a try.
I put a new sucker washer in 'er. You may find the leather dry."
Chorus:
"You've got to prime the pump. You must have faith and believe.
You've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive.
Drink all the water you can hold. Wash your face cool your feet.
Leave the bottle full for others. Thank you kindly, Desert Pete."
"Yeah, you'll have to prime the pump, work that handle like there's a fahre.
Under the rock you'll find some water left there in a bitters jar.
Now there's just enough to prime it with, so don't you go drinkin' first.
Just pour it in and pump like mad and, buddy, you'll quench your thirst."
(Chorus)
Well, I found the jar, and I tell you, nothin' was ever prettier to my eye
and I was tempted strong to drink it because that pump looked mighty dry,
but the note went on, "Have faith, my friend, there's water down below.
You've got to give to really get. I'm the one who ought to know."
So I poured in the jar and started pumpin' and I heard a beautiful sound
of water bubblin' 'n' splashin' up out of that hole in the ground.
Then I took off my shoes and drunk my fill of that cold refreshin' treat.
Then I thanked the Lord, and I thanked the pump, and I thanked old Desert Pete.
(Chorus)