LA PLATA, Md. — Scouts from LaPlata, MD Scouting America Troop 1321 recently spent a challenging, rewarding and memorable week at Camp Powhatan.
Camp Powhatan is the largest camp on the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation near Hiwassee, Virginia. The camp offers many outdoor adventures, merit badge courses and scout leadership opportunities.
“Summer camp is always an adventure. Each year as adult volunteers we are exposed to new challenges. This year we took twenty scouts with fourteen under the age of 13. For ten scouts, this was their first summer camp. For these boys, summer camp is more than just fun. It’s also about learning and growing. I told many of the parents that after a week their sons would return different – more confident and a bit more independent and maturer,” said Ronald Lile, Troop 1321 Scoutmaster.
The troop was led by Star Scouts, Solomon Scott and Liam Everitt. They were assisted by the Troop Senior Patrol Leader, Lucas Alarie; Scoutmaster Ronald Lile, ; Assistant Scoutmasters Ryan Alarie, Mike Scott and Ken Whitlock; and, Committee members Mike Mickey and Matt Peoples,
Scouts from Troop 1321 earned a total of 128 merit badges, an average of 8 merit badges each, while attending Camp Powhatan. They were able to take a wide variety of courses like first aid, fishing, swimming, robotics, shooting sports, ATVing, animation, music, environmental science and chess.
Jason Falkler a Scout said, “This was my first summer camp experience and animation was one of my favorite classes. I was also able to complete 3 required eagle scout merit badges: First Aid, Environmental Science and Swimming.”
All swimming courses were held at the Camp Powhatan Lake front, which was a new experience for many of the scouts. Calder Bankenstein also completed the 1-mile swim challenge.
During the scouts’ free time you would often see them catching up on merit badge requirements, playing a friendly game of cards, visiting the camp store or helping another scout out.
“My favorite part of camp was different than past years. In the past my favorite part has been enjoying the waterfront and being with friends. Although this year, the best part was seeing the young scouts flourish into experienced leaders,” said Lucas Alarie, Troop 1321 Senior Patrol Leader.
Troop 1321 meets from September to July in LaPlata on Thursday nights. For this upcoming year the troop is planning to camp 1 to 2 times a month, participate in community service projects, hold fundraisers, go rock climbing, compete in orienteering challenges and attend summer camp in Pennsylvania. If you would like further information about joining Troop 1321, please get in touch with
scoutmaster@bsatroop1321.org.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
