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During the frigid weather of these past few months, Troop 160 hasn’t been hibernating but rather outside embracing it.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to pull sleds like sled dogs? Well, the Northeastern Pennsylvanian Council does and on Feb. 7, the Scouts participated in the Klondike Derby.
The Klondike Derby is held at Goose Pond Scout Reservation each year. The Klondike consists of a team of Scouts pulling sleds around camp to different stations. The Scouts also had an opportunity to put their skills to the test at the stations, which included fire building, ice fishing, orienteering, bridge building and more.
The Scouts got to travel across 8 to 12 inches of ice going from station to station. Halfway through the day, the boys made a delicious lunch. After all was said and done, the Scouts went home to their warm houses.
On Feb. 26, the second-year Webelos visited the troop for a learning experience they will never forget. The Boy Scouts conducted a round robin activity. Some of the activities were knot tying, basic first aid, fire safety and knife safety.
The next exciting adventure was the Father and Son campout on March 7 and 8. On this campout, the Scouts and their parents enjoyed the weekend while learning and teaching Scout skills. This trip is unique in its own way.
First, the Scouts arrived at Camp Lackawanna, set up their tents and ate the lunch they packed from home. Instead of Boy Scouts teaching each other, they taught the Cub Scouts along with their parents. Throughout the weekend, the Scouts were able to learn how Dutch oven cooking works. In the process of cooking, they had to learn the proper way to heat up the charcoal. After the cooking was completed, the Scouts were able to learn how to clean a Dutch oven the proper way.
Each year around February, the special election is held for the Order of the Arrow. The OA was founded by E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson. When forming this organization, a few Scouts who demonstrated exceptional leadership were asked to join the order to bring back different skills to their troop. It was also formed to honor those who demonstrated the qualities of the Scout law.
The Scouts elected by the troop this year are Caleb Gerken, Ben Sebring, Logan LaClair, David Boeth and Ryan Flynn. Good luck to them on their journey.
In other news, the troop would like to congratulate Colin Florey and Brandon Kelleher for qualifying for district swimming competition.