Boy Scout Troop 847 has had an active start to the summer season. The Scouts have already sold American flags at the Virginia City Memorial Day and Independence Day Parades, toured Fallon Naval Air Station, camped and hiked in the High Sierra over the last weekend of May, have earned the Swimming Merit Badge, and have camped for a week at the BSA operated Camp Fleischmann, near Lassen National Park, where they earned 65 different merit badges.
The following Scouts attended summer camp at Camp Fleischmann: Tyler Alexander, Chris Chessor, Tyler Quick, Jake Tinkler, Ethan Ewalt, Matthew McGifford, Joshua Baughman, Nicolas Boston and David Hydro. These Scouts earned merit badges ranging from First Aid to Environmental Science, from Archery to Leather work and from Canoeing to Sailing. They sailed boats, climbed the rock wall and participated in campfire programs. The Scouts also performed service projects while at summer camp. Summer camp 2014 was made possible by the Troop’s three Assistant Scoutmasters, Jerry Easley, Roy Baughman and Mark Tinkler.
The Troop is holding Troop Meetings at Our Park in Dayton every Wednesday evening at 6:30 during the summer months. The Scouts are currently working to learn proper rope work and lashing techniques. At their June 9 Troop Meeting they also learned about Leave No Trace ethics and practices from Allen Newberry, a Ranger with the U.S. Forest Service, a dedicated Scouter and a certified instructor in Leave No Trace.
Planned for the rest of the summer include a service project at Our Par and two more weekend High Sierra camping trips; one in July and one in August. The July trip will include a day hike and other outdoor activities while the August family camping trip will include a Court of Honor where the Scouts will be recognized for their hard work with the rank advancements, merit badges and other awards they have earned. Additionally, the August trip plan calls for a visit to Yosemite National Park and horseback riding. Also in August the Scouts will be striving to earn the Rifle Shooting Merit Badge and are planning to participate in the Virginia City service day, Aug. 5.
Troop 847 serves Dayton, Virginia City and Moundhouse. The Troop is sponsored by the Storey County Volunteer Fire Department. When school reopens the Troop will again be meeting weekly at Dayton Middle School. The Troop strives to hold monthly overnight weekend outings throughout the year. Boys ages 11 to 17 are welcome.
For more information on youth run Troop 847, boys and their parents may contact Scoutmaster Bill Boston at (775) 815-1112 or Committee Chairman Don Robertson at (775) 241-2087.