Letter from Boy Scout camp

Over summer vacation, I did tons of fun things with the Boy Scouts.  As a member of Troop 240, I have gone on many Boy Scout adventures over summer break.  

First, I went to Cub Scout camp at Camp Alpine.  I had recently crossed over from Pack 24 to Troop 240 and this time I was going as a sibling. Camp was fun. Arrows flew, BBs were shot, hammocks swung and happy memories were made.  But I was outgrowing it, even if I did have fun. I was soon packing up to go home.  When I got home, I had to repack for my next adventure, and this one did not disappoint.

Two days after Cub World, I was heading to Camp Aquehonga at Ten Mile River (TMR). Older Scouts told me how fun camp would be, but it was 10 times better than I expected.  Camp had at least 20 different merit badge classes to choose from. The staff was amazing and free time was the best! When I had free periods, I could swim in the pool, slide down a water slide or go boating in the lake. One night, half the Troop went to the lake and we had tons of fun. I finished my first rank at TMR. I even lashed a ladder together for the Pioneering merit badge by using logs from the woods and rope. I went home from TMR with three merit badges and good memories to last a lifetime.

Camp was done, but my Scouting adventures continued! Two weeks after TMR, I went to Yellowstone National Park. It wasn’t an official Troop event, but other families from the Troop and Pack were there. My family and I spent a week in a tent and we saw many national treasures, including Old Faithful. I became a Yellowstone Junior Ranger and earned the Boy Scout National Park Stewardship Award. I saw many animals, including bison and bald eagles. I went to a chuck wagon dinner and ate a bison burger. I even got a few requirements done, too.  I’m so glad I went!

My summer has ended, but my Scouting adventures have not. I look forward to camping and doing activities with the Boy Scouts no matter what the season.

Thomas, 11 is a member of Riverdale’s Boy Scout Troop 240. Point of view is a column open to all.