The TKS Boy Scout Troop recently took an overnight trip into the forests of the Blue Ridge mountains. Twelve students and four staff left TKS on Friday, spending two nights between the Cliffs House and the Robert Humphrey Cabin, both under the jurisdiction of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.
The group participated in a court of honor in recognition of their accomplishments. They learned components of fire building, wood splitting, campsite maintenance, and cooking. They also had fun hiking through the woods, playing board games, and participating in a giant game of tag.
Boy Scouts camping trips are opportunities for the our students to have fun while honing skills in a team environment. By continually learning and practicing putting others first, our students instill integrity, selflessness, and trust into their values. Building personal responsibility while enjoying a weekend off grounds is another avenue in which our students can grow and learn.
Camping trips are engaging learning experiences in which our students can grow together and strengthen troop dynamics. With guidance from staff, our students learn to embrace the collective spirit of Boy Scouts by
contributing to a group effort and considering the needs of others. Doing so involves developing both exciting new skills (fishing safety, how to build a fire, camping preparedness) and pragmatic tools (washing dishes, maintaining a campsite, and cooking techniques). The combination of engaging activities and chore-based responsibility makes for a holistic experience that instills an array of tools in participating scouts.
Our Students are also able to guide their own interests by choosing topics and merit badges that peak their interests. Those interested in cooking can fulfill requirements by planning meals, contributing to meal preparation, and assisting with cleanup. Whereas, boys who are interested in woodworking have enjoyed scouting for viable wood samples and learning how to safely split firewood. Scouts practice and implement skills that bring them personal satisfaction while adding to the quality of the group’s experience. Furthermore, the troop gathers to recognize individual accomplishments by holding a Court of Honor. During that ceremony, Scouts stand to receive merit badges for completed projects, adding a symbol of accomplishment to their personal repertoire. In this way, the scouts lift each other up and encourage one another to continue improving themselves.
-Jacob Biggs
