Boy Scout Troop 175 based at St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury has the reputation as a high adventure troop with scouts willing to challenge themselves to learn leadership, teamwork and outdoor skills and use them while camping. The troop has been awarded the National Outdoor Challenge by the Boy Scouts of America for maintaining a high level of outdoor activity.
During 2011, Troop 175 conducted 17 outdoor trips including winter camping ,skiing and snowboarding, walking Boston’s Freedom Trail, climbing Bear Mountain and Mt Greylock, hiking Vermont’s Long Trail, a canoe trip, scuba diving and trips to Block Island and Nantucket. More than 80 percent of the scouts in the troop participated in these trips.
This year, Troop 175 also had 10 scouts and two adult leaders attend Philmont Scout Camp, in New Mexico.
The scouts of Troop 175 also earned 107 outdoors related merit badges during 2011. Merit badges are the second main area of the Boy Scout advancement program. Unlike ranks, there is a degree of choice in the merit badge program. Outdoors-related merit badges include: Backpacking, Camping, Canoeing, Climbing, Cooking, Cycling, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science, First Aid, Fish and Wildlife Management, Fishing, Fly-Fishing, Forestry, Hiking, Lifesaving, Orienteering, Pioneering, Rowing, Scuba, Snow Sports, Soil and Water Conservation, Swimming, Water Sports, Whitewater.
In 2012, the troop has already planned trips including climb Tuckerman’s Ravine in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, camping on Nantucket, participation in Boston Ruckus, and a trip to Gettysburg National Battleground.
One of the first trips this year was a winter trip undertaken by the high adventure Immortal’s group within the troop that camped outdoor in minus 20 degree weather in the Adirondacks Mountains.
The troop also has two international outdoor trips planned for 2012. The first in April as members of the troop sail and explore in the British Virgin Islands on two 45 foot catamarans. The second trip will see members of the troop hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.
In addition to the National award, Simsbury’s Troop 175 also earned recognition from the CT River Council by earning the Journey to Excellence award. "Scouting’s Journey to Excellence" is the BSA’s council performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success and measure the performance of units. Troop 175 received the Gold Award, the programs highest honor.
