The summer months aren’t necessarily the busiest for Troop 160, but the youth leaders and Troop Committee still spend a lot of time planning for the upcoming Scouting season. The Scouting program is designed to provide opportunities for youth, and led by the youth. Any boys — young or old — can get in on the action by joining Troop 160.
Many of the incredible benefits that come along with being a Scout include exciting outdoor adventures. Any Scout from Troop 160 will agree that Summer Camp at Goose Pond Scout Reservation is an outstanding experience. In addition to earning merit badges, a Scout can partake in shooting sports, climbing, swimming, boating, and much more. Troops even have the opportunity to take home awards for participation and excellence at camp. For example, the Unit Honor Award, Green Bar Patrol Award, and the Adventure Race Champions are some of the most popular.
Two other outstanding outdoor opportunities are the NEPA Council’s Spring and Fall Camporees. These events always include a theme that drives the program along. For example, two past themes we’re “Mission Impossible” and “Wilderness Survival.” Whatever the council decides to shape the Camporees into next year will certainly be equally as exciting.
Travelling can always be quite a hassle, even for Boy Scouts. However, the Travelling Camporees are anything but. These give Scouts the possibility of visiting a historic site and learning more about history. Previous contingents have been sent to Washington D.C., the Boston Freedom Trail, Gettysburg, and Valley Forge.
For those of us that would be considered adventurous, expeditions are the place to be. Almost every summer, Troop 160 will send out a contingent of Scouts to high adventure activities; whether it be hiking the Adirondacks, canoeing the Delaware River, or taking on the challenges of the Boy Scouts of America’s four high adventure bases.
In order for all of the Troop functions to take place, we must rely on our sponsors for aid. The Clarks Summit United Methodist Church allows us to use its facilities, and the Rotary Club of the Abingtons provides us with crucial funding. On behalf of all scouts from Troop 160, we would like to thank them for their support.
If any of these activities attracted attention, or if you want to improve your leadership skills, come to our first meeting of the 2015-2016 season at the Hillside Park (Abington Area Park). From 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 we will host a picnic, play games, and kick off the upcoming Scouting year.
Remember a Scout is brave.
