DERBY – Twenty-nine Scouts, leaders, and parents from Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 Derby, recently returned from a two-week adventure to Derby and London, England, where they stayed with host Scout families, met the mayor, visited castles and attended an international Scouting event with 7,000 other Scouts.
“It was a trip of a lifetime,” according to Troop 3 Senior Patrol Leader James Chopak. “We made loads of new friends, who we are still in contact with and I’m already planning my return to England”, Chopak added.
Hosted by the families of the 107th Derby and Trent Explorer families, the Scouts were treated to a Medieval banquet as well as a tour of the Derby Gaol, or jail, where author and ghost hunter Richard Felix discussed the jail’s history. Felix had previously visited Connecticut and Derby’s haunted Sterling Opera House, and he was very excited to meet fellow Derbyites from across the pond.
The two Derby groups also encamped at Peak2015, on the grounds of Chatsworth House, the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Peak is an international Scouting event hosted every five years in the Peak District of England by the Derbyshire Scouts. Scouts from 15 countries participated in activities that included caving, rappelling, wheelchair basketball, stilt walking, hoover craft and Segway riding. Several Derby Scouts also met Bear Grylls, Chief Scout in the United Kingdom.
“We expect to continue our international exchange Scout program next summer by sending our top Scouts to Derby, England and Limerick, Ireland, while also hosting scouts from there,” said Richard Williams, Troop 3’s Committee Chairman.
“This ongoing program allows the Scouts to experience the world and expand our world Scouting friendships,” he added.
Troop 3’s Patrol Leaders Council recently completed annual calendar planning and decided on the following monthly troop meeting and camping weekend themes: International Scouting, Circus Skills, Outdoor Scout skills, water activities, film/photography, Duty to God & country, Merit Badge College, Health/Fitness and games, climbing and trampoline.
The Scouts resume meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Sept. 9. The troop meets at their sponsoring organization since 1914, Derby's Second Congregational Church, on Elizabeth Street. All young men ages 11 to 17 are encouraged to join in on the Scouting adventure.
Call 203-732-0343 for more information.
On Sept. 26 Cub Scout Pack 3, Boy Scout Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 will host their 21st annual Ed Strang Day on the Derby Green.
The free event for boys and girls will take place from noon to 3 p.m. and includes a rope bridge, archery, craft making, face painting, model car building, and racing as well as many circus related skills training.
This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.
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