Published: October 12, 2008 10:15 pm         

Troop 89 completes treks

CUMBERLAND — Jeffery Brandenburg, Stephen Darrah and David Sines of Boy Scout Troop 89 recently completed a series of hiking and backpacking treks that covered the entire 185 miles of the C&O Canal.

The treks began in the spring of 2007, and a hike of the last 12 miles to Mile Marker 0 in Georgetown was completed Sept. 13. The Scouts logged almost 300 miles while participating in conditioning hikes, hiking activities with other Scouts in Troop 89 and the scheduled events to hike the canal.

These trips met part of the requirements for Hiking and Backpacking merit badges that these Scouts have earned. Requirements for Hiking merit badge include five hikes of 10 miles each and a 20-mile day hike. Backpacking merit badge requires three treks, each covering at least 15 miles during a three-day period, and a five-day trek covering at least 30 miles. The Scouts completed 18 requirements for the two badges, including map and compass skills, first aid and application of “Leave No Trace” principles.

The three Scouts will receive two other awards. In August, they completed a five-day backpacking trip on the C&O Canal from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., to Fort Frederick. The Scouts will receive the 50-Miler Award in recognition of this achievement. Each Scout also earned the C&O Canal Historical Trail Patch with all five council segments in recognition of hiking the sections of the towpath within the five Boy Scout councils bordering the canal.

Accompanying the Scouts on all of these treks were Troop 89 Assistant Scoutmasters Michelle Darrah and Brent Chippendale.

Many Scout leaders and troop committee members provided support and assistance.

Troop 89 is sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church in Cumberland and receives the consistent support of Wamba Caravan #89 of the Alhambra.