Summer Activities, Adventure and Exploration – 10/1/2015

Troop 103 had a summer filled with opportunities for adventure, excitement, and exploration. The Scouts were exposed to whitewater rafting, earned multiple
merit badges at summer camp, refined their fishing and canoeing skills in Canada, and learned about coal mining.In June, Troop 103 traveled to River Riders in West Virginia to experience the thrills and spills among the rapids on the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
Because we had experienced so much rain the week prior to the trip, the rapids were even more thrilling than expected. After the morning of riding the
rapids, the Troop went to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park to see Under Fire: The Battle of Bolivar Heights and heard an explanation of the battle
along with a demonstration of cannon fire. It was interesting to hear how accurate the cannons could be and deafening to hear the actual explosion. Nine Scouts attend summer camp in July at Camp Rodney in North East, MD. Those nine Scouts earned a total of 29 merit badges during the week and worked
hard to earn the coveted honor troop award as well exceeding the number of points that they needed. They also completed a service project for the camp and
cleared a drainage area for water to flow more efficiently.

After being home from camp for one night, the Scouts left for another trip to Puzzle Lake in Canada. It was a long drive, but well worth the trip to be so
far away from everything. The lake was beautiful, fish plentiful, stars abundant, and the loons gave off a peaceful, but melancholy sound each evening. The
Scouts worked on their fishing and canoeing merit badges while there and enjoyed hiking, spelunking, and star gazing when the clouds cooperated. On the way
home we visited Niagara Falls and rode on the Maid of the Mist and then visited the Corning Museum in New York. While at the museum the Scouts participated
in several workshops where they tried their own hand a glassblowing. The final products were amazing. We have some talented Scouts!

2015-Puzzle Lake

In August the Troop went camping at Knoebles Amusement Park and visited the Pioneer Coal Mine in Ashland PA. The Scouts enjoyed the rides and Knoebles, but
were especially impressed with the vastness of the tunnel systems at the coal mine. They also visited Centralia where the coal mine fires have been burning
since 1962. It is hard to imagine that the mines were once so active and that a fire could burn for that duration.

The Scouts of Troop 103 are thankful for the many opportunities that were afforded to them over the summer months and look forward to many more adventures
in the future.

St. Joseph Boy Scout Troop 103 is proud to served the greater Hanover Area since 1918. We provide outdoor fun, adventure, leadership, advancement and achievement for area youth. The Troop meets every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM at St. Joseph Middle School on Grandview Road, Hanover. For more information about the adventures of Troop 103, please visit our website at http://www.bsatroop103.org . Boys interested in joining our Troop or Cub Pack can contact our Scoutmaster Jeff Rosenzweig at 717-968-6533 or by email at sm@bsatroop103.org .