Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Sidian Stegall's frozen T-Shirt.
An emergency litter was made to transport a volunteer "patient."
WAITSBURG - From January 23 to 25, eight members and four leaders of Waitsburg Scout Troop 337 spent their annual winter campout weekend in below-freezing temperatures. There was no snow, as the group had hoped, only temperatures from 13 degrees to the low 20s.
Scouts Ameilia Alleman, Natalia Alleman, Shylo Hedges, T. J. Hollingsworth, Kaitlynn Miller, Katherine Roberts, Victoria Roberts, and Sidian Stegall braved the cold temperatures, sleeping in tents at Lady Bug Campground. Troop leaders Justin Stegall, Tim Hollingsworth, Jon Roberts, and Sarah Roberts also shared the cold camping experience.
The troop arrived on Friday afternoon, made a campfire, set up tents, and prepared their evening meal. Before heading home on Sunday, the scouts endured the cold while working on rank advancement, cooking merit badges, and identifying plants and animal signs on nature walks.
The kids worked on first-aid skills, including building a litter for evacuating patients. They also worked on a Scoutcraft challenge to build a bridge without using any knots.
After hearing stories about coats frozen to boards at winter scout camps, Sidian Stegall conducted a scientific experiment during the weekend. He dunked a T-Shirt in the creek, laid it out on the picnic table, and timed how long it would take to freeze; it only took about 10 minutes.
Victoria Roberts is the newest troop member after attaining her Arrow of Light rank in December to cross over from Cub Scouts. All current 5th graders are eligible to join in March.
The Waitsburg Troop 337 was reestablished in April 2023 by Sarah Roberts, Jon Roberts, Justin Stegall, and Tim Hollingsworth. The troop has benefitted from the Waitsburg Lions Club's continued support. The troop members are involved in community service, including volunteering at the library and the Lions Club Rib and Salmon feeds.
The Waitsburg troop is a Scouts BSA program for ages 11-17 through Scouting America. Troop 337 is a "family troop" for boys and girls under one scoutmaster. Anyone interested in joining or wanting more information about Waitsburg Troop 337 can email bs.troop.337@gmail.com.
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