A crew of Scouts from Summerville’s BSA Troop 787 recently returned from two weeks of adventure in the forest of northern Maine, participating in the BSA’s Maine High Adventure program.  The northern climes were new and exciting for many of the Scouts.    Life Scout Ian Fiedler exclaimed, “…we were above the 45th parallel…closer to the North Pole than the Equator. And it felt like it too, with a couple days when the temperature didn’t get over 60-degrees.  It was great!”
Paddling over 80-miles, in a total operational area exceeding 12-million acres, the boys were challenged in every aspect of their Scout training.  Eagle Scout and Crew Leader Zach Hensley confirmed, “This trip really highlighted the Scout Motto of ‘Be Prepared’.”    
The Scouts spent a total of ten days canoeing and hiking the forests and waterways of northern Maine, and included an arduous hike above the tree-line on mile-high Mt. Katahdin (the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail).  Asst Scoutmaster Jim Minner commented, “Much of our route was the same as traveled by writer Henry David Thoreau nearly 150-years ago, including the steep and rocky ascent of Maine’s highest peak in addition to several canoe portages. To portage meant we had to carry all of our gear, including canoes, through primitive forest trails. Scoutmaster Gary Hensley added, “We had a brisk and cool northerly wind  during most of our trek, which felt refreshing but could really make for some hard  paddling as a headwind. The Scouts learned some good lessons about overcoming adversity and working as a team to meet extraordinary challenges!”
Even the round-trip total of four day’s driving to Maine and back offered the Scouts a learning opportunity as they observed Scouting Ideals in action.  Asst. Scoutmaster Jim Minner noted, “each of our trip’s three en-route layovers was hosted by adult Eagle Scouts.  Minner continued, “The ideals, respect, and personal-bonds formed in Scouting are strong and long-lasting ones.  Our adult-Eagle hosts provided great opportunities for the Scouts to see Scouting ideals and camaraderie in-action across generations.”
Upon arrival at the Maine High Adventure base-camp, the Troop 787 Scouts were on-base only long enough to meet their trained B.S.A. Wilderness Guide, plan their adventure’s route, receive gear, food, and canoes, and then head-out into the Maine woods. “We had an unusual treat this year, since our Guide was John Minner, an Eagle Scout alumni of Troop 787, Green Wave class of ’08, Clemson class of ‘10 and also my son I’m proud to say” said Asst Scoutmaster Jim Minner.  John spent the entire summer in Maine, guiding several Scout groups through various routes, with some leading to waterways on the Canadian border.
The following nine days in the wilderness offered the Scouts many opportunities for excitement, challenge, and discovery.
On Day 1, the Scout’s climbed mile-high Mt. Katahdin, a demanding challenge of personal endurance.  Scoutmaster Minner added, “Climbing to Katahdin’s summit can be a dicey proposition, and one that we consider very carefully before undertaking. The last two miles of the ascent are above the tree-line, and very rocky. As a leader, my first concern is the safety of our crew.  And on Katahdin especially, our exposure to frequent and sudden weather changes is a real concern.  But, we were well-prepared for contingencies, including having to spend the night on the mountain if required.”
During the following nine days, the Scouts canoed the lakes and rivers of the Maine woods, covering over 80-miles of water.  The scenery was wild and scenic, much as it’s been for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.  Life Scout Ian Thomas observed, “Our second day on the water, we saw moose, several bald eagles, deer, and many beaver dams, and NO people…it was awesome”.  Moose have no natural predators, so they are plentiful in Maine.  Thomas continued, “We had been told that a bull moose can stand 9-feet tall and weigh over 1,800 lbs. But after seeing one close-up, you really get to appreciate the numbers. They’re huge!”
Maine also demanded white-water canoeing skills that couldn’t be learned before-hand in the Lowcountry’s flat-water lakes and rivers.  Life Scout Tyler Dandridge  noted “the first white-water we encountered was really hard, and we all took-on a lot of water in our boat.  By the end of the trip, we were much-improved and confident when moving through the big waves and drops.  They were really fun.”
The Scouts cooked all of their meals over open fires, something that is rarely done in Scouting anymore.  “Careful fire-building is a skill that I really had to re-learn” chief fire-man and Eagle Scout Ryan Miller.  “When the whole crew was counting on me to provide them with the ability to make a hot meal, well that really put the pressure on to perform, especially on a rainy day!”
Troop 787 had already sent crews to MHA in ’00, ’04, and ‘07.  This year’s trip was really unique in that we had two Troop 787 alumni working on-base at Maine High Adventure.  In addition to John Minner as our Guide, we had another T787 Eagle alumni, Will Jeffries (SHS ’04) who was Chief Guide at the base.  “It was a great experience for our current crew of Scouts to see what successful and competent Eagle Scouts can do, and an inspiration for how they can fashion their own individual Scouting experience in their future”, said Asst Scoutmaster Minner.
“Overall, our trip was a great adventure for the boys and adults”, Asst Scoutmaster Jim Minner exclaimed.  “This was my sixth visit to Maine High Adventure since 1972, and I can honestly say that it just gets better every time I go.  The B.S.A. runs a fantastic program up there, and the Great State of Maine is always ready to serve up unique experiences in an awesomely beautiful and challenging environment”
Scoutmaster Gary Hensley also noted “We are very appreciative of the many people who made our trip such a success: Our patient wives who let us spend two-weeks of vacation time, the generous hospitality of fellow Eagle Scouts and other Friends of Scouting who let us stay overnight in their homes and churches.  And of course our sponsor, the Men’s Club at Bethany United Methodist Church here in Summerville.  Without the support of all these good folks, our trip would not have been possible. Thanks to all.”