Scouts from Troop 12, sponsored by Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Herndon, VA have had quite the fall 2023 season so far.
On September 10th, the Troop 12 scouts were at Manassas Airport where each scout got to fly as a passenger in a single engine plane thanks to Dallas of Flywyld, LLC. This trip was a highlight of their working on their aviation merit badge. During this visit, each scout had to record certain facts and observations as a part of the merit badge requirements.
On Sept. 22nd, one of the Troop 12 Scouts, Ben, was on Good Morning America to show how a letterboard allows non-verbal people to communicate. That’s Ben in the front row with the glasses.
Then on October 6th – 8th, Troop 12 camped at Bear Wallow Camp at the larger Shrine Mont Retreat Center in Orkney Springs, VA, an
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia camp. This was a cabin and tent camping event that started on Friday evening at 4pm. Parents and some scouts unloaded cars and set up rooms and beds and the rest of the Scouts checked out the camp. They were easily monitored as all cabins faced the 360 open pavilion. The Shrine Mont dinner bell tolled around 5:30 pm, so the group drove or hiked to the 2nd floor dining hall in the prominent white-with-green-trim 1850’s Virginia House at the center of town, passing inviting rockers out front. There was a wonderful aroma of abundant home cooked food waiting for the Scouts. After dinner, there was a campfire with s’mores, and everyone fell asleep to the sound of rain.
Saturday was blustery with increasing sun and falling temperatures. In the morning, Scouts hiked to one of the town springs, then up to the rustic, hand-built rock shrine to hear Assistant Scoutmaster Dave McDonald explain its history from the 1920’s on. After lunch, the Scouts drove to an orchard about 30 minutes away to explore, pick apples and take in the magnificent view of the fields and nearby Blue Ridge Mountain. As there were breaks in the day, groups would form to compete in heavy-duty Velcro axe throwing and cornhole. The group had fun developing the Scouts’ skills and camaraderie. The day ended with another roaring campfire and s’mores.
On Sunday after breakfast, Assistant Troop Chaplain Nick lead a prayer service in front of one of the cabins with the cabin steps as pews. After packing out of Shrine Mont, several families drove to explore nearby Lake Laura, then had lunch and headed home.
Scoutmaster Scott Smith reflected on the weekend, “Even though I can’t provide a long list of scout achievements, for our troop, I think this campout was a success. We got to spend quality time outdoors and inside with our scout sons and their families. We also got to focus more on them as we weren’t distracted or time constrained managing, preparing, and cleaning up for meals. Yes, in part it was glamping. But it was also very much an outdoor camping experience with cold, wind and rain. More than anything, I think it was a troop bonding opportunity. I’m not sure about everyone else, but I could tell that Brandon and I were both a little sad when we saw Orkney Springs in our rearview mirror.”
Troop 12 helped Holy Cross put on Trunk or Treat in the church’s parking lot on October 29th along with the Herndon Police Department.
Troop 12 is a special needs troop where the Scout never ages out. Troop 12 meets at Holy Cross most Tuesday nights from 7pm-8pm in the Fellowship Hall where they work on various merit badges and rank advancements. Stop by to see love and scouting in action!
Article submitted by Anne Geiger
Troop 12 Chartered Organization Representative (COR)
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
1090 Sterling Road Herndon, VA 20170
fellowshipchair@holycrosslutheranchurch.net
