The scouts of Troops 260 and 262 appreciate outdoor adventure, and the variety of their fall experiences has been pretty cool. In October the scouts had a terrific weekend biking the local Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. In November, the scouts visited our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., for an urban navigation adventure.
The scouts gathered at Phelps Road to start their bike adventure. “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance (or bike!) in the rain.”
A highlight of this trip was that the kids were able to stop along the trail for lunch in Simsbury. I mean, who doesn’t love a Plan B burger! In total the scouts biked a minimum of 27 miles. The bike ride home on Sunday was a dry, sunny and just beautiful, picturesque fall day. What a treasure it is having that local bike trail right in our backyard.
The October bike ride fell on a ‘typical’ fall weekend, which means, it was raining, of course. The scouts are no stranger to precipitation, so they were prepared in their rain gear and still eager for the bike ride. Prior to pedaling off, the scouts spent meetings doing bike checks, maintenance and brushing up on bike safety.
In November, the scouts put their canoes, bikes, and hiking shoes away and subbed in sneakers and a city map as they explored our nation’s capital. This awesome adventure started with an overnight train ride from Windsor Locks to Union Station in Washington D.C. This was the first time the troop used the train to commute down, and it was great – relaxing, convenient and affordable.
The scouts arrived in the early morning hour of 4 a.m. on Saturday, Veterans Day. The city was still and quiet, it felt like it belonged just to the scouts for an hour or two. The sunrise was spectacular; the city woke up with vibrant reds and pinks. It was a beautiful, partly sunny day, with daytime highs in the upper 50s. Veterans Day festivities were all around the National Mall. It was a special place to be, to truly pay tribute and honor all the men and women who have served our country.
Successful urban navigation starts with strong scout patrols. The patrols are formed based on varying ages and experiences. There are also multiple safeguards, including air tags, location sharing and group texts. The patrols also have a strong competitive spirit! The scouts participated in a troop-made scavenger hunt through the city that kept them busy much of the day. The leaders watched the leaderboard with glee as each troop would overtake the other, all competing for the coveted prize of dessert on the leaders that night!
What’s up next for these adventurous groups? In December they will have Christmas in the Woods at Jesse Fowler Smith Forest. In February they will trek up north for a skiing and tubing adventure in New Hampshire. Troops 260 & 262 offer fun, high adventure activities all year long while teaching important life skills and responsibility, for boys and girls. If you are interested in learning more about scouting, please email suffieldscouts@gmail.com.