Scouts of Troop 211 Did Not Let COVID Stop Their Summer Activities
Scouts Camped, Hiked, Canoed, and Backpacked
DALEVILLE, VA- The Scouts of Troop 211 hiked, canoed, backpacked, and earned merit badges this summer of 2020. The Troop is chartered at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Daleville and meets on Tuesdays at 7 PM at the church.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted many of the Troop’s original plans during 2020, including a week-long summer camp at Camp Raven Knob in North Carolina. However, the Scouts planned alternative outings that allowed for social distancing and following CDC and related safety precautions.
In July, the Troop camped for three nights in Fincastle and worked on the Pioneering, Art, and Personal Fitness merit badges with patrol cooking, evening campfires, and an impromptu visit from Representative Ben Cline.
On a Saturday later in July, the Scouts learned canoeing skills at Carvins Cove and hiked five miles that afternoon. Canoeing skills included the various strokes, safely launching and landing a canoe, and paddling a straight line over a long distance.
Also in July, the Cobra Patrol won a camping cook-off for the prized “Golden Fork.” The Troop is divided into two patrols, Cobra and Lightning Phoenix. Both patrols prepared balanced cooked meals for the adult leaders who served as judges. The judges ate well!
On August 14th, Troop 211 celebrated with Thomas Laughridge and his family during his Eagle Scout Court of Honor at Wellspring Presbyterian Church. Thomas earned his Eagle rank previously and is now enrolled at the University of Virginia. The pandemic delayed but did not cancel his Eagle Scout Court of Honor when his Scouting accomplishments could be recognized.
The following weekend, the Troop’s Scouts and adult leaders took their new-found canoeing skills to the James River for an overnight trip from a point upstream of Springwood to Buchanan.
Most recently, in September, Troop 211 backpacked ten miles on Brush Mountain along the Appalachian Trail, camping overnight at the Niday Shelter and preparing backpacking meals. Each Scout and leader packed in their gear, including an individual tent, cooking equipment, and warm clothing.
Upcoming in October, the Troop is planning another backpacking trip during the weekend of October 24-25.
The mission of Scouts BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. The Scout Law is: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
Please contact Troop 211’s scoutmaster, Darian Shields, with any questions at DarianShields.Troop211VA@troopmaster.email.
–submitted by Ken McFadyen photos by Gilbert Armour
