All of T5’s registered adult leadership are volunteers and parents of Scouts or former Scouts. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters work directly with T5 Scouts. Assistant Scoutmasters either mentor patrols or perform special duties. On the back end is the Troop Committee, which is essentially T5’s board of directors. In addition to the Scoutmaster and Assistants, the committee consists of a Chair (the big boss), Secretary, Treasurer, and several Members-at-Large. The committee makes all of the business and administrative decisions. In addition to registered adult leaders, there are also various other non-registered positions that parents usually volunteer for, such as New Member Coordinator and Event Coordinator.
We invite and encourage T5 parents and members of the community to join our committee or volunteer. Do you have a specialized skill that would make you a good mentor to T5 Scouts? Consider becoming an Assistant Scoutmaster. Registered adult leaders have as much fun as the Scouts do!
Dr. Walt Windisch, Scoutmaster
Dr. “Mr. Walt” Windisch has a varied history of involvements with Scouting. Like many Scouters, he followed his son into Cub Scouting and began service as a Webelos Den Leader shortly thereafter. When his son bridged into Scouts BSA, Walt became an Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) with Troop 35 in Baltimore City. He served in T35 for eight years, leaving only after his son attained the rank of Eagle Scout there. He was subsequently lured to T5 by parents and scouts who had worked closely with him in the past, and was named Scoutmaster in June, 2025.
As a long-time ASM, Mr. Walt has mentored a number of Scouts on their journey to Eagle. He has staffed summer camps, served as lead advisor in two treks to Philmont Scout Ranch, and developed a number of programs, including range and target activities (rifle, shotgun, and archery) and a “boot camp” where Scouts learn pioneering skills. Although he is a merit badge counselor for 35 merit badges, including all the Eagle required badges, he will tell you the Communication merit badge is his favorite, because communication is a skill required of all real leaders.
From 2018 until June 2025, Mr. Walt served as an administrative and unit commissioner in the Baltimore Area Council’s Commissioners Corps, including five years as District Commissioner for the Fort McHenry (Baltimore City) District. In that role, he worked directly with units to improve the Scouting program and oversaw a dedicated group of volunteers who are helping bring Scouting back to the City.
Mr. Walt is a lifelong learner and teacher. He has earned the Doctor of Scouting degree (2020) and Fellowship status (2022) at the Baltimore Area Council’s University of Scouting, where he has also taught courses on archery, managing conflict, commissioner science, and dealing with neurodiversity in Scouting. He currently staffs various adult leader courses, including Scoutmaster and ASM position training, outdoor leadership skills, and the Seton Scout Naturalist course. In 2014, he earned his Wood Badge (Scouting’s pinnacle adult training program) and subsequently served on the training staff of Wood Badge courses in 2016 and 2017. From 2019 to 2023, he was Course Director and Scoutmaster for Brownsea Youth Leadership Training, a three day hands-on course that teaches the patrol method to Scouts in a camp setting.
Mr. Walt is a Brotherhood member of Scouting’s honor society, the Order of the Arrow, and he has received a number of awards for his work as a Scouter. These include the Outstanding Unit Scouter Award (2014), Webelos Den Leader Award (2015), District Award of Merit (2017), Spirit of Scouting Award (2018), Silver Beaver Award (2020), and Distinguished Commissioner Service Award (2023). Mr. Walt brings a number of specialty skills to Scouting. He is a certified interpretive guide and a Maryland master naturalist, as well as a wilderness first responder. He is an NRA rifle and shotgun instructor, a USA Archery Level 2 archery instructor trainer, and a PADI certified divemaster. When not scouting, he practices clinical psychology and neuropsychology at a local hospital, where he specializes in the evaluation of neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders in adults.
Jenae Gates, Committee Chair
Committee Members
Dr. Newman Sund, Treasurer – Mr. Newman is an eye surgeon specializing in vitreoretinal diseases. He has published numerous articles on ophthalmic research and is actively involved in clinical studies for retinal conditions. Mr. Newman is currently raising a first class Troop 5 First Class scout.
Matt Herman – Mr. Matt is a community impact developer and an avid Scouter. He has received numerous accolades such as Scouting’s District Award of Merit and the James T. West Fellowship, and currently serves as the District Commissioner of the Fort McHenry (Baltimore City) scouting district. Mr. Matt previously served as Assistant Cubmaster and Cubmaster of Pack 3807. He currently serves his son, a Troop 5 Tenderfoot.
Adrienne Rubenstein – Ms. Adrienne is a dedicated special education teacher within the Baltimore City Schools system who for many years served as the Scoutmaster for Troop 5, which her son, a recent Eagle Scout, was an active member. Her commitment to education and youth development highlights her passion for helping students and scouts reach their full potential.
Assistant Scoutmasters
Dr. Luke Ackerman – Mr. Luke is a research analytical chemist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. With a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, he conducts research on topics including food safety, environmental chemistry, and packaging. Mr. Luke is a scouting expert, having previously served faithfully as a Cubmaster of Pack 151 for several years. His son is an active First Class scout at Troop 5.
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Justin Lorts – Mr. Justin is an educator, historian, and administrator at Johns Hopkins University, where he serves as the Senior Director of Scholars & Fellows Programs. He oversees programs that support student development and connects them with postgraduate fellowship opportunities. Mr. Justin is a super Scouter, having served as an Assistant Cubmaster and Cubmaster of Pack 3807 for many years. His son is a Troop 5 Second Class scout.
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Dr. Swaroop Vedula – Mr. Swaroop is a medical doctor and an Associate Research Professor at Johns Hopkins University, where he leads the AI for Surgery Lab. His work focuses on developing and applying engineering solutions, including AI and machine learning, to improve surgical care and provide feedback to surgeons. He also leads his son, a Troop 5 Second Class scout.
New Member Coordinator
Adrienne Rubenstein – Interested in checking us out or joining our ranks? Please contact Ms. Adrienne at xxx@xxx.com
Join Our Leadership!
We’re in search of new committee members, both those with youth in the troop as well as (and especially) those from our surrounding Baltimore community. We’d love to welcome you to our warm, inviting group of like-minded professionals. There’s always room for you. Everyone has something important to contribute to the next generation of Baltimore leaders. Please contact Jenae at xxx@xxx.com for more information.