What do you get when you send 19 Boy Scouts, six leaders, and a trailer packed with camping gear to summer camp in Kunkletown? For Boy Scouts of America Troop 97 of Londonderry Township, the answer is 114 earned merit badges, the title of Ultimate Frisbee champion, and countless memories.

Trexler Scout Reservation (TSR) is nestled in 900 acres of pine-crested wilderness in Monroe County. Troop 97 arrived on a Sunday and was treated to a barbecue dinner after a tour of the camp. Bright and early on Monday, after tidying their campsite, Scouts dispersed to their merit badge sessions, including Camping, Citizenship in the Nation, and Environmental Science - all of which are required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout - as well as Woodcarving, Exploration, Fingerprinting, Basketry, Weather, and Mammal Study. Scout Jordan Paul reported, "My favorite merit badge was Leatherwork, and it was the first time I actually got to make something out of leather - a pocket knife holder." Troop 97's 19 Scouts enrolled in 37 different merit badge classes.

It is easier to complete certain merit badges at summer camp when the facilities have specific amenities. "Camp Trexler has a large lake where a variety of water sports take place, which allowed our boys to earn Canoeing, Kayaking, Rowing, Swimming, and Lifesaving merit badges," noted Scoutmaster Bill Lee.

Additionally, the COPE (Challenging, Outdoor, Personal Experience) program challenged Scouts. Working in teams, Scouts climbed a 65-foot wall, rappelled, ziplined, and conquered a ropes course. "I am very proud that all 19 of our Scouts completed the requirements for the Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge," Lee stated.

Every Scout unit built a gateway to its campsite and had to add an element each day to improve the entrance feature. Daily campsite inspections were held by the TSR staff, and Troop 97 won the best campsite award one day.

However, Scout camp is not all about hard work and merit badges. There was plenty of time to enjoy fishing, biking trails, and a massive slip and slide made from old airplane banners. Leaders participated in a Dutch oven cooking teambuilding exercise, and six Troop 97 Scouts who are members of the Order of the Arrow attended a social event.

Life Scout Mason Swartz and Star Scout Jacob Dunkleberger competed in a triathlon, which consisted of a 1-mile swim, a 2.5-mile run, and an archery shoot. "I thought it would be fun to challenge each other," said Swartz. "I took third place and Jacob took fourth out of 12 competitors."

One of the highlights of the week was the Trexler Rangers course, a series of high adventure stations focused on teamwork to overcome obstacles of high ropes, low ropes, swinging tires, and mud. Fourteen Scouts and three leaders from Troop 97 are now part of this elite group of adventurers.

Troop 97 is sponsored by the Londonderry Fire Company. For more information about the troop, contact Ted Pauley at tszm@hotmail.com.