Nice Story About Local Troop

[BrentAllen]

This Troop is just down the road from us, about 1/2 mile. Nice story.

http://www.thecrier.net/articles/2007/09/18/letters/letters.txt

 

To The Editor:

 

I want to share a story about a Boy Scout troop and its leader. I would prefer to keep it anonymous, but understand you require a signature, not that they are not deserving, but that they are representative of the kind of quality adults and boys we have involved in scouting all over. The story here is about the spirit of what was done and how well everyone responded. Suffice it to say its about a Dunwoody/Sandy Springs Boy Scout Troop.

 

In todays world of PC correctness of trying to tear down or overly critical of organizations trying to make a difference in society please read about what is right about our youth and adults today.

 

Back in the spring of 07 a bunch of boys ranging in age of 11-16 with their Boy Scout leaders went backpacking three miles in on a Friday night to camp at Brays Field in the Cohutta Wilderness of north Georgia. The next morning a group of Scouts hiked out of the valley to be dropped off about 12 miles down stream on the Conasauga River and hike back to camp. On the way out they passed a young family of mom, dad, older sister, younger sister and boyfriend hiking in to spend the weekend at Brays Field.

 

After a day of hiking and about 15 river crossings, the weary, wet bunch of Scouts filed into camp to change and fix a hot meal before it got dark. While they were gathered around the fire pit swapping stories of the day with the rest of the troop, the oldest daughter of the family they had seen hiking in that morning came over asking for help. Her mom was in terrible pain and they didnt know what to do. Two of the adult leaders went back with her to their campsite to see how they could help. The mom was experiencing extreme back pain and spasms and it became evident to the family they needed to get her to an emergency room. The adult leaders came back to the troop and apprised them of the situation. They would have to get the family out tonight. While two of the adult leaders went with the father and mother whom they had gotten to start walking, the rest of the troop sprang into action. The two most senior and experienced scouts finished changing their wet clothes and shoes and gathered headlamps and emergency gear in case they had to make a pallet to carry the mom out. The rest of the troop went to the familys campsite and under the cover of falling darkness, quickly repacked each back pack with all the gear and tents they had brought down. Once ready, the two senior scouts carried the two largest backpacks and escorted the two girls and boy the three miles uphill to the parking area. Suffice it to say, they got the mom and family to the closest hospital and made it back to camp about 1:30 in the morning, making it a 20-mile day. Other than the ribbing the older two boys took for having to endure cute teenage girls, they demonstrated great character, skill and training. Everyone did their part, the two senior scouts shouldering the heavy gear and escorting the youth out, the two adults assisting with the parents, and the rest of the troop pitching in packing and cleaning up the campsite.

 

The story should have ended there, but there is more. About a month or two later the troops scoutmaster approached me and asked, You remember the family my troop helped out down at Brays field? Well, the father made a donation to the troop. Its four figures past the decimal point. That was really something. Then the scoutmaster made a comment that really shows the character and quality of adults we have in scouting.

 

You know, its fantastic, but we cant keep it. What the troop did was a good deed in scouting and we cant accept the donation.

 

That is the end of the story, parts of which are played out by scouts and their adult leaders in troops everywhere. Just wanted to share it with you and the Dunwoody/Sandy Springs community so they can feel proud.

 

Phil Stovall

 

 

[theysawyoucomin']

Thank you for that story. Imagine somebody from a highly controversial group helping others.

 

Will wonders never cease?

[stevejb]

Great story. Too bad there more people outside of Scouting do not hear stories like this.

 

Steve B

Scoutmaster, Troop 68, CMC

http://melrosetroop68.org

[insanescouter]

Wow what a wonderful story and a great group of kids and leaders. Does anyone know how we can how once could give these young men a virtual Scout Salute?

 

Scott Robertson

http://insanescouter.org

[tcherven]

This would make a great Scoutmaster Minute.

 

Wonderful story. Excuse me a second, I need to get a tissue.

[Trevorum]

Excellent story! Thanks for sharing, Brent. I will forward it to our new SM for his consideration as a SM minute