By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
Manville Boy Scout Troop 193 is getting prepared to head up to the Adirondacks in New York state for its annual weeklong summer camping trip at Sabattis Scout Camp, located on the outskirts of Long Lake, New York.
The boys and their leaders helped prepare for the trip by camping out right there at the Royce Brook two weekends ago.
Scoutmaster Jim Kelly said it was a great experience to get the Scouts ready.
“It is nice little place down there that the town lets us use from time to time,” he said.
“It also gives us a chance to set up all of our equipment in a nice safe environment and if something is not working or the tent is not right it is not far to go the VFW and pick up what we need.
“When you are six hours away in the Adirondacks and you don’t have a tent that is kind of a different situation,” he said. “So it’s a chance to set up, have the kids in a relaxed way put up the equipment and go through the motions.”
The Scouts spent the weekend making sure their troop gear was working properly, the tents had all the poles and that everything they needed to bring was ready to go.
They not only brushed up on their camping skills, but the boys also provided community service to Manville by cleaning up along the Royce Brook, picking up all the trash and cleaning the area.
“It was also nice to see them all sitting around bonding because once they get up in the woods, they really need to be working together as a team. It is a good way to get those kids to team build a little bit and realize that they all can work together,” said Mr. Kelly.
The Boy Scouts will head up to Sabattis early Saturday morning for their adventure in the mountains. They will be working on merit badges, swimming and most of all, having a lot of fun.
