by John Dietrich, Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 128
In May, Troop 128’s Philmont crew conducted a 12-mile preparatory hike in Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls Park near Thurmont, MD. It was a tough day of hiking; occasional rain and a constant fog made the trails very slippery. After ten miles of hiking, as we descended from Cat Rock on the Old Misery Trail, we found a man and woman in trouble. Heidi, our new friend, was on the ground, and clearly in pain. She had slipped on the rocks and sprained her ankle.
The Scouts of Troop 128 were prepared to help. From first aid kits came bandages to bind the ankle. From Wilderness First Aid training came the advice to take ibuprofen. From one Scout’s multi-tool came a small saw to fashion a crutch to help her walk down the mountain.
Heidi tried to go down the Old Misery Trail. Unfortunately, her fall had occurred near the top of the mountain where the road was far below and about a mile away. Still worse, this trail features a steep grade, frequent switchbacks, and many boulders along the way. Heidi was able to go forty feet with her new crutch but travel proved too difficult. Again the Scouts volunteered to help.
Our crew had the phone number of the park ranger offices. Heidi’s friend contacted the ranger station and arranged for rangers to bring a basket up the trail. We helped Heidi remain warm by providing a dry Tyvek sheet to sit on, and encouraged her to stay hydrated and keep the ankle elevated. The Scouts redistributed crew gear so the older Scouts and adults could help carry Heidi when the rangers arrived.
A group of six rangers came up the trail an hour later. They provided further first aid and helped her into the basket. The rangers gladly accepted help carrying it as the footing was treacherous. Up over logs, and down ledges, the team passed the basket safely down the mountain. At every moment of the hour-long trip, at least one Scout carried the basket, fully contributing to help bring Heidi to safety.
By the end of the afternoon the tired crew arrived at the waiting Park Service vehicles. Heidi had only the most appreciative words for our Scouts. Likewise, the rangers recognized how much the boys had helped bring her safely out of the woods. The Scouts then reloaded their packs and finished their hike.
Even with her extremely injured ankle, Heidi would have made her way to safety without help from the unit eventually, but the Scouts of Troop 128 epitomized the image of the Boy Scouts of America by being prepared through training, equipment, and teamwork to help other people at all times in the rugged outdoors. I proudly call to your attention the following Scouts:
- Chris “Cloud” Barre’, Eagle Scout
- Ethan Carlisle, Life Scout
- Luke Carlisle, Life Scout
- Adam Dietrich, Eagle Scout
- Joseph Massaro, Life Scout
- John “Jack” Sears, Life Scout
- Alexander Smithgall, Life Scout
- Bart Barre’, Crew Advisor
Occoquan District DAY CAMP was held at Leesylvania State park this past June. Over 118 Cub Scouts took on the theme of “Passport to Adventure” in our beautiful state park that sits on the Potomac River.
The National Capital Area Council – Aquia District Boy Scouts annual Flag Retirement Ceremony is a tradition held every year on June 14th (National Flag Day) at Quantico National Cemetery.
The Patriot District Spring Camporee was held at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA, on April 20-22, with more than 190 Scouts and Scouters gathering to share a weekend of camaraderie and fun. Once again the event was blessed with favorable weather. Saturday brought sunny skies and warm temperatures, and Sunday, although overcast, was free of any rain. Participating Patriot District Units included Troops 50, 114, 1131, 1344, 1346, 1412, 1524, 1535, and 1966. They were joined by Scouts from Troop 150 of the Colonial District, and a girls Webelos Den from Patriot District’s Pack 873. William Wallace, OA Chapter Chief, served as the Camporee Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). It was a great weekend of Scouting activity.
The theme for the camporee was Barbarians at the Gate: Scout Skills in Action. The main program involved a Patrol Skills Competition in which Scouts were challenged to demonstrate their proficiency in various fundamental Scout skills. The theme reflected a complex imagined scenario where a horde of barbarians had crash landed their boats on an island during a storm and required proficiency in numerous areas aligned with basic Scout skills to survive. In addition to traditional opening and closing ceremonies, religious services, and the Saturday evening campfire, other camporee activities included archery, air rifle marksmanship, dodge ball, and scaling the NCAC climbing wall. 
A special dessert competition was also held following dinner on Saturday evening, and on Sunday morning Scouts conducted a special service project, planting about 300 tree seedlings at selected locations around Camp Snyder.