Troop 95 tours Washington, D.C.

Boy Scout Troop 95 members from Georgetown gathered Dec. 10 at the drop-off location to leave for their trip to Washington, D.C.

After scouts and leaders loaded food into the camp kitchens and coolers, and gear into the scout van, everyone boarded the troop bus.

Along the way, the many impressive sights they saw included the increased frequency of tall buildings and complex road structures. The troop arrived at its campsite, a Coast Guard Service Center base, before it got too dark, so camp setup went  quickly.

The next morning after a good night’s sleep, the cooks prepared breakfast and lunch for the day trip to the various monuments, memorials and museums of downtown D.C.

Everyone boarded the bus and traveled to the Metro for the first stop on the day’s big adventure.

The troop arrived at Arlington National Cemetery and walked through the historic burial site. Once the uphill climb was complete, troop members watched the changing of the guard in reverent silence, then examined the Kennedy Family Memorial, the eternal flame and more of the graves.

Next, the scouts and leaders hiked over a long bridge to the Korean and Vietnam war memorials. They walked further still and took a look at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Soon after, a light spatter of rain hit during their lunch break.

After lunch, they walked up the steps of the famous Lincoln Memorial for a Troop 95 photo.

They moved on to see the World War II Memorial and passed the Washington Monument on their way to the National Museum of American History. The next stop was the Capitol building where they marveled at the massive Christmas tree which had been set up in front.

Then Scouts and leaders headed to Union Station where they enjoyed a great selection of choices for dinner at the food court and even ran into another Boy Scout troop.

They boarded the Metro for the final time and when they arrived at camp the rain had increased. They were greeted with winds exceeding 15 mph, which by morning had bent the metal frame of the troop’s canopy.

On Sunday morning after breakfast, camp was cleaned up and packed up. Everyone headed to chapel and then boarded the bus to head home.

Once back in Georgetown, gear was unloaded, trash was disposed of, wet tents were hung up to dry and everyone headed home. This was quite a unique and enjoyable camping weekend experience.

For more information about Scout Troop 95, contact Louise Rathfon, committee chair, at trathfon@comcast.net or 302-381-3026.