In Pursuit of the Hiking Merit Badge: 10.2 DONE!
Dedication, commitment, and follow through are important concepts woven throughout Troop 12’s many activities and adventures. Troop 12’s adult leadership also strongly adheres to the idea that ‘carrots’ work better than ‘sticks’. Scouts are encouraged, challenged, and motivated to test themselves and conquer their ideas of what they think are their limits, by helping them crash through their personal barriers to discover unexpected strengths and fortitude.
They did it again as we set out to bag the second 10-miler of three that are required for the Hiking Merit Badge, which is itself one of the required Merit Badges for Eagle Scout.
Returning to the Buck Hill Management areas in Pascoag, RI, we followed the Tri-State trail to the Tri-State marker, and then took an 8-mile loop.
The weather was perfect. Overcast in the low 50’s. There were a number of muddy patches that required some dexterity to navigate, but there were zero casualties. And our path took us through a variety of ecosystems. Wooded forests gave way to marshes and wetlands, which led to burbling streams and placid lakes, and back again.
And never ones to pass up the opportunity to multi-task, the Scouts worked on their map and compass skills, local plant and tree identification, and searched out evidence of animal activity (which included not one but TWO beaver lodges). We also discovered a geo-cache.
Only one more 10 to go! And then we face the 15, and the 20 (cue ominous orchestral swell and lightning and thunder sounds).
