Boy Scouts Go Winter Camping, Learn CPR

Donations of used camping gear welcomed

By Doug Bent, Scoutmaster

 

Andover Boy Scouts got a chance to practice some winter camping in March.
Andover Boy Scouts got a chance to practice some winter camping in March.

A meeting of the Andover Boy Scouts will be held at the Andover Annex (the Hamp house) adjacent to AE/MS on Monday, May 13, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Any boy who has completed the fifth grade or is eleven years old is eligible to sign up.

Meetings are subject to change in location and times and activities such as orienteering, first aid, and wilderness survival skills. Due to the changing schedule, if you are unable to come to the May 13 meeting, contact Brian Reynolds or Doug Bent. Boys who like the outdoors, camping, and hiking and would like to learn new skills such as first aid, wilderness survival, and emergency preparedness are welcome to join.

Winter Camp

Troop 489 was able to winter camp in March with a nice 16-inch base of snow. The boys set up tents in the snow and had to set up individual patrol cooking fires.

Although the boys set up their tents in the snow, they did not have to sleep in them, due to the use of the Proctor cabin. Three of the boys, however, did sleep in the tent that night, with the temperature dipping into the teens.

The scouts learned CPR with help from AE/MS School Nurse Christine Frost
The scouts learned CPR with help from AE/MS School Nurse Christine Frost

We are fortunate that several members of the community who are involved in heathcare and law enforcement, and a former military survival school instructor have volunteered to help teach the boys their particular skill. Thanks to Christine Frost and to a generous monetary contribution from an anonymous donor, all the boys from the troop are now certified in the use of CPR and the AED device.

The troop would also like to say “Thank you!” for the generous contribution of scout camping equipment from Wallace Scott. We are always looking for gently-used camping equipment such as tents and sleeping bags. If you would like to donate equipment or make a monetary contribution, please contact Brian Reynolds at 545-4102 or Doug Bent at 735-5847.