Author: Michael McCormick
Fun on the Appalachian Trail and at the Demolition Derby!
Last weekend, we set off for Hawk Mountain on the Appalachian Trail. Despite a rainy evening and morning, we managed an 8 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, where we spotted a salamander and a whole lot of mud! That evening, we watched six rounds of mayhem and destruction at the local demolition derby.
Overall, a great way to kick off the Fall!
Rank advancements galore!
Lots of rank advancement in the last two weeks! Congrats to Brian on earning his Star Rank, Tim for earning 1st Class, Charlie and Joey for earning Tenderfoot, and Kevin for earning Scout!
First ever Scout Day at Dover Speedway!
Some of our Scouts headed down for the first Scout Day at Dover International Speedway the first Sunday in October. They got to go in the inside oval of track, meet NASCAR legend Jimmy Johnson, and then watch the NASCAR Cup Series Race. Good times were had by all!
Congrats to James on earning Eagle Scout
Congrats to James on passing his Eagle Board of Review at the end of September! James becomes Eagle Scout #125 for Troop 48.
For his project, he built a new stairwell at historic Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia.
A flag flew over the grounds of the US Capitol building the day of James’s Board of Review in honor of his achievement, which is pretty awesome.
MS City-to-Shore Campout!
Troop 48 ended September as we do each year, helping out the 7000+ bikers at the MS City-to-Shore Bike Ride.
On Saturday, Troop 48 worked our usual spot at the Century Stop at Sweetwater Fire Company, stop for those bikers attempting to ride 100 miles in a single day. We set up the rest stop (including dragging around pot-a-potties, which was fun!) served food and water most of the morning and early afternoon, cheered on the bikers, and then cleaned up the rest stop at the end. By all accounts, the Scouts did a great job. One biker who did 175 miles in two days shared with the director of volunteers at the end of the ride, ““Who were those volunteers at the Century Loop? They were incredible and organized – please thank them for me.”
In the meantime, Magnus cycled his way 100 long miles from Cherry Hill to Ocean City. He raised $1640 for the MS Society from his ride!
We spent Saturday night on the Ocean City Boardwalk. After a pasta dinner, the Scouts walked the boardwalk, enjoying all the fun (and junk) that can be found on that famous Jersey landmark. Then it was back to the campsite for a night’s sleep.
Sunday, we were up early, packed up, and headed to Hammonton to help at the second day’s lunch stop. The Scouts again spent hours helping the bikers to successfully complete their two days ride. Mike, the site supervisor, said, “Please give ACIT, Glassboro, and the boy scout troop a special shout out from us. The boy scout troop was integral in our packout – we were all drained at that point so it was great to have them waiting in the wings to tag in.”
All in a weekend’s work.
Acadia National Park – Day 4
This was another great day. We spent most of the day climbing Cadillac Mountain, a tough climb with some stunning views of Mount Desert Island and the Atlantic Ocean. We then dropped down into a chasm before tackling the steep climb out and over Dorr Mountain before heading out at Sieur de Mont.
That night, we went to the Ranger Program on geology, where James did a great job as magma while Magnus did his best impression of a sedimentary rock.
Acadia National Park – Day 5
On our fifth day in the park, we started our day by driving out on the Acadia National Park loop road. We started at the Visitor’s Center, then drove over to Sand Beach. We walked on the rocks and checked out Thunder Hole. We drove over to Jordan Pond, where the Scouts got a view of Bubble Pond.
After checking out the park, we headed into Bar Harbor. The patrols split up and went on their own adventures. Some got ice cream. Others walked out on the sand bar that gives Bar Harbor its name. Some bought super annoying (also, funny) chicken toys.
The Bar bought some lobsters to eat that night, which made them the best fed patrol of the week.
Acadia National Park – Day 2
On Day 2 of our adventure, we went to Acadia Arial Park and Ropes Course in Bar Harbor, where we went up on the three level high ropes course. It was fun (or terrifying)!
Afterwards, we did mini-golf, go karts, the trampoline, and the rock wall.
We then went back to camp for dinner, then ventured out to Bass Harbor Lighthouse for a world class sunset.
Acadia National Park – Day 6
Our last full day in Acadia National Park, we woke up to a wet and rainy day. We pulled out our rainy day plan, which was a trip to the nearby Seal Cove Auto Museum, which houses one of the finest collections of early automobiles anywhere in the country.
After touring the museum and doing the scavenger hunt, the director offered to show the Scouts the back garage where they do maintenance on the cars, where one of the cars was started up and the Scouts had a chance to sit in a car that was having its interior restored. It was really something.
Afterwards, the rain had let up, so we spent a few hours tidepooling on the Ship Harbor Trail. We found sea stars, crabs, and some other interesting sea life.
Then it was dinner and packing up the camp before one final ranger program.