Your heart beats faster, your breaths are shallower, and sweat beads fall as you hike up a mountain. It’s hard, and it can hurt. The reward is a spectacular view, followed by a pause to regroup and take a deep gulp of water. The experience is transcending. You embraced the suck, found your will power in doing something hard, and you’re proud of your accomplishment. This is just one of the many lessons scouting teaches. This lesson can now be applied to a difficult sports practice, a tough school project or a hard time in life.
You might be surprised to find that scouting could just be the thing you didn’t know you were looking for! For me, scouting wasn’t a part of my youth, and camping meant hauling your RV, complete with all the amenities, to a campground. Scouting found me, first as a parent with a child who loved the outdoors, and then as an adult who became a leader after seeing the immense benefits of the program. I have regressed since my youth as I now happily sleep in a tent, washing down my campfire dinner with filtered water from a stream. Scouting has bolstered my outdoor confidence and taught me how a positive attitude and calm mindset can strengthen your grit. I have watched the scouting program do the same for a countless number of kids, too.
Avery Weinstein attempts the fastest time crossing the rope bridge, while scouts Cole and Robbie Snyder spot him. SOTG was a beautiful weekend. The scouts enjoyed seeing the kids’ delight and pride when they crossed the bridge. The weekend also brought record breaking kettle corn sales. Thank you to our Suffield community for your generosity and support.
Scouting is a youth-led, year-round program designed to encourage character development, physical activity and promote outdoor adventure. The Scouting America program welcomes boys and girls, ages 11 to 17. No experience required. Just a willingness to listen and eagerness to explore and try new things. Scouting is empowering – building confidence, improving communication skills and teaching responsibility, all of which helps Scouts be prepared for life.
Check out our fun fall lineup of outdoor adventures. In September, the scouts did some spelunking in a cave system in New York. In October, the Scouts will do an overnight, 16-mile section hike of the Appalachian Trail. In November, the Scouts will head to NYC for an urban navigation experience. In December, scouts will learn about winter camping and teach younger scouts’ new skills at our annual Jesse Fowler campout. The scouts are also looking forward to their awesome Iceland adventure in July 2025 where they will hike through glacial and volcanic lands, experience geothermal activity, explore Reykjavík and so much more.
If you are interested in learning more about scouting for your child or are an adult who has some extra time and loves the outdoors, please email suffieldscouts@gmail.com or visit www.suffieldscouts.com. Troops 260 and 262 meet every Tuesday at 7pm at Second Baptist Church, guests are always welcome.
Not quite age 11? That’s ok. Check out Cub Pack 266, which welcomes boys and girls from kindergarten through fifth grade. For more information email suffieldcubscouts@gmail.com or visit www.cubscoutpack266.com.