Boy Scout Troop 1 members take the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge

Several boy scouts and leaders of Troop 1 Lewes joined the crowds in Rehoboth Beach with participation in the Lewes Polar Bear plunge. The scouts braved the cold weather and took a quick dip into the ocean. Some boys felt the need to dip twice. This activity was just one of many that has kept the troop busy these long winter months.

Troop 1 scouts helped kick off the holiday season in December with participation in the Lewes Christmas Parade, followed by a weekend of cold-weather camping at Boy Scout Camp Rodney in North East, Md. Several scouts participated in local holiday events, earning service hours to help them earn merit badges and move up in rank. January brought the first troop ski trip, where the scouts, along with some family members, went skiing and snowboarding at Shawnee Mountain in Pennsylvania. Scouts and their families had a great time during a fabulous weather weekend.

Merit Badge College started off February, with scouts traveling to Salisbury University in Maryland to work on various merit badges. Merit badges help scouts learn about a topic of interest and can help launch interest in a career field. The badges also help scouts move up in their rank levels as they work towards the high rank of Eagle. Many scouts are working on as many as four badges at once by attending the college, spending an entire Saturday attending classes. Merit Badge College involves two full Saturdays, and the second session is scheduled in March.

Troop 1 is now preparing for the Klondike Derby, a Boy Scout event where scout patrols build sleds and travel a route with designated activities. This is a weekend camping trip that takes place every winter at Camp Henson.

For more information on Troop 1,contact Scoutmaster Mike Price at 302-236-6520.