“Amazing” “fantastic” and “unbelievable” were some of the comments heard from the scouts and leaders from Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby, exchange scouts from Derby, England, Peterborough, England and Limerick, Ireland, who recently returned from a 3 week cross country camping adventure.
The crew of 19 flew to Los Angeles and then traveled with the TrekAmerica touring company by vans and trailers back to Derby, covering more than 4,300 miles while visiting many of the natural and national monuments of America.
Aboard the 100 year old Battleship Texas are from left Joe Szewczyk, James Cobaugh, James Chopak, Justin Patten, Jason Edwards and Chris Campbell.
Highlights included a day in the Pacific Ocean at Manhattan Beach, tour of the UCLA campus, river hiking the narrow canyons at Zion National Park, hiking into the Grand Canyon, staying at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas, visiting the UFO Museum in Roswell, NM, and witnessing the exodus of thousands of bats and then exploring Carlsbad Cavern.
The group experienced a Cowboy camp, enjoying horseback riding and steak dinner, they were treated to an open jeep tour of Monument Valley and spent a night in a traditional Hogan, courtesy of the Navajo Nation.
While there, the scouts completed a service project of repairing the Hogan by applying mud to the structure.
Enjoying sunrise in Monument Valley, Utah are Troop 3 scouts Justin Patten, James Chopak, Matthew and Jason Edwards.
While in Texas, the group visited the Alamo and the San Antonio Riverwalk, enjoyed Texas barbeque and spent an educational night aboard the Battleship Texas, which like Troop 3, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The scouts also swam in San Solomon Springs and participated in an alligator sighting swamp tour before heading to New Orleans, where they visited the historic French Quarter, Preservation Hall and enjoyed a haunted history walk.
Upon reaching Tennessee, the group was thrilled with a day of white water rafting in the Pigeon River. Two full days were spent in the nation’s capital, visiting the monuments, the Smithsonian museums and concluding with a Washington Nationals baseball game versus the Pittsburg Pirates, including game ending fireworks. A quick stop in Philadelphia for famous cheesesteaks, and the scouts arrived at the Derby Second Congregational Church, where family members were waiting with a warm welcome home.
Returning from horseback riding in Utah from left are James Cobaugh, Tadhg McInerney (Limerick, Ireland), Julian Gilloren, Alex Griffiths (Derby, England), Chris Campbell (Peterborough, England), Justin Patten, Joe Szewczyk and Jason Edwards.
Troop 3 Derby Scouts who participated include Joe Szewczyk, Justin Patten, Jason Edwards, Matthew Edwards, James Cobaugh, Julian Gilloren, James Chopak, and Adam Sroka. Derby, England Scouts included Alex Griffiths and leader Luke Brady. Peterborough, England Scouts participating were Sam Holmes and Chris Campbell. Limerick, Ireland scouts included Eoin Stapleton, James Glasson and Tadhg McInerney.
Troop 3 leaders were Bill McDonnell, Brian Welch, John Spinetti and Scoutmaster Randy Ritter, who coordinated the trip.
Troop 3 recreates the famous run by Forrest Gump, just outside of Monument Valley, Utah.
According to Ritter, “Troop 3 organizes high adventure trips regularly as a way to expose the world to our older scouts while building teamwork and leadership skills.” “These scouts had to work together to setup and strike camp, purchase ingredients and cook meals and support each other while being away from home for three weeks.” Ritter added, “Having Irish and English Scouts join us on our cross country adventure enhanced the impact our annual Scout exchange program has in increasing the world brotherhood of Scouting, as many of the scouts become lifelong friends.” The troop plans to visit their scouting friends in Derby, England in July, 2015 where they will attend the Peak International Encampment, hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
White water rafting in Tennessee’s Pigeon River are Sam Holmes, Scoutmaster Randy Ritter, Adam Sroka, James Glasson, Alex Griffiths, James Chopak, rafting guide and Matthew Edwards.Boy Scout Troop 3 resumes meeting Wednesdays at 7PM on September 3 at Derby 2nd Congregational Church, 136 Elizabeth St. and is open to all boys at least 11 years of age. For more information call 203 – 732-0343
