STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Scouts from Scouting America Troop 3 recently returned from a high adventure base in Minnesota, where they faced frigid temperatures and engaged in various outdoor activities.
The trip marked a first-time experience for many of the scouts, while others achieved significant honors.
“We spent two nights on the ice and did some ice fishing, camping, and slept on the ice,” said Clayton McGalla, known as ‘Zeek,’ the scoutmaster of Troop 3. “The first night was -7 and the second night was -17. We did a little bit of dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and got a chance to see some wildlife. We saw a martin running across the snow, which was pretty cool.”
The group consisted of five youth scouts and three adult scouts. Despite the extreme cold, the scouts learned they could still enjoy themselves in harsh conditions. The experience also fostered camaraderie and pushed some scouts out of their comfort zones.
“It was definitely an eye-opening experience being the first high adventure base,” Star Rank scout Daniel Moss said. “I’m ready and hoping to enjoy our next high adventure base after doing this one because it was definitely a fun experience going out and I definitely learned a lot from this.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” 1st Class scout Logan Plant said. “It taught me endurance and how to survive in cold weather.”
For Nolan Heffner, known as ‘Nacho,’ a Life Scout, this was his second high-adventure base but his first in cold conditions.
“It kinda teaches most kids my age how to survive in such harsher conditions and how to get by and keep warm and such,” Heffner said.
McGalla added that two scouts earned the Triple Crown Award for attending three high adventure bases, while two more scouts received the rare Grand Slam Award, given to those who have attended all four high adventure bases. The trip also included two father-son duos.
Troop 3 is always looking for new members. They meet every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church on Sunset Boulevard.
