08/26/13 Boy Scout Troop 251from Plymouth recently held their monthly camp-out at Potawatomi Wildlife Park. After the Friday night camp-out and Saturday morning breakfast, six boys and 4 adults carpooled 15 minutes south to the trail head of the Nickel Plate Trail in Rochester. The boys then rode their bicycles 20 miles from Rochester to Peru.
The Troop used chase vehicles in case a mechanical issue arose or someone needed a rest. Due to the hills, family radios don’t work and cell coverage is nonexistent in areas. For communications, Senior Patrol Leader Wyatt Stephan, KC9RRL, took his ham radio while Scout Master Michael Stephan, KB9MDQ, drove one of the chase vehicles with another ham radio for emergency communications. The cyclist experienced one flat tire due to a tack and one broken chain on the adventure.
After lunch at the end of the trail ride, the troop loaded up their bikes and car pooled 15 minutes to the Grissom Air Museum for an enjoyable afternoon at the museum. At the museum, the troop had the privilege of meeting a WWII veteran who told his story of jumping from his crashing B17, in combat, resulting in his stay as a POW at Stalag 13B. After the museum, the troop returned to camp at Potawatomi Wildlife Park where they cooked dinner and then broke camp.
Troop 251 is chartered by the Plymouth First United Methodist Church and meets on Tuesdays at 7Pm at the church.
Photo: Pictured (L to R): SPL Wyatt Stephan, Brayson Leazenby, Christopher Fishburn, PL Takis Kurtis, Hunter Poor, Blake Thomas
