 | | | Troop 224 Boy Scouts on Philmont Trek. Photo provided | | | | | | This summer, 22 Scouts and nine adults from Lafayette Boy Scout Troop 224 had the adventure of a lifetime on a 12-day trek through the Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico. Philmont is one of four national Boy Scout high adventure camps, and conquering Philmont is considered to be the peak of Scouting experiences. The Scouts from Troop 224, who went in three separate treks, covered upwards of 80 miles during their trek, with elevations ranging from 6,000 to almost 12,000 feet. In addition to hiking, they experienced activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing, tomahawk throwing and shooting with .50 caliber black powder rifles. The Scouts are responsible for carrying their supplies for two weeks in their own backpacks, as well as shared items for their crew. Part of each trip also includes a conservation project to benefit the 214 square mile Scout ranch. As one leader commented, the Troop 224 Scouts became a "lean, mean, backpacking machine," and all agreed it was a highlight of their Scouting experiences. Troop 224 of Lafayette, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, is a boy-led troop with a full schedule of events and trips throughout the year. For more information, visit www.troop224lafayette.com.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA