The Boy Scouts of Tyrone Troop 20 sure aren’t afraid of heights. Especially after this weekend’s event at the Krislund Camp and Conference Center near Madisonburg.
On Saturday, the troop spent half the day climbing “the wall” at Krislund, which is the second highest climbing wall in the state at 55 feet or 5 1/2 stories high.
According to scoutmaster Cummins McNitt, after receiving climbing instructions from the staff, the scouts each took an opportunity to stretch by forcing themselves to the limit of their endurance, and then pushing themselves one step further.
“The purpose was to build self-confidence and team spirit,” said McNitt.
The afternoon was spent on a low-ropes initiative course.
“The scouts were faced with several different challenges, each testing their teamwork, leadership and communication skills,” said McNitt.
McNitt said one of the initiatives involved was to move the entire troop over a suspended log hanging five feet off the ground. The challenge came in the rules that were imposed on the group – over half were handicapped with blindness, inability to speak, and the inability of using hands and legs.
Other activities included moving the entire troop over a course of 18 oddly placed stones using only three planks and never being allowed to leave the planks or stones – again, with multiple handicaps.
“And a third activity required the scouts to lead one another through the forest and over streams with one person blindfolded,” said McNitt. “The scouts hope to use these heightened skills in their day-to-day activities, as well as within the troop.”
He said their next trip to Krislund will involve the high-ropes adventure course, taking the boys to the tree tops, hanging in slings and completing the tree top level courses.
Participating in the day-long event were: Jonathan Hampton, Jon Hoffman, Clayton Hoover, Ethan Joniello, Bradley McNeal, Michael McNeal, Dudley McNitt, Michael Moore, Brandon Parks and Tyke Pavlic. Unite leaders Dale Frye, William Hampton and McNitt participated with the scouts.
Troop 20 is sponsored by the Church of the Good Shepherd.
