LYNNFIELD — Boy Scout Troop 48 spent the weekend camping out at Winter Island in Salem.
The 14 scouts in Troop 48 range in ages 12 to 17, and 10 troops attended the campout on Oct. 5-6, Assistant Scoutmaster Patrick G. Curley said. They were accompanied by seven adults during the day and five for the overnight portion.
“The more family commitment to scouting, the more successful the troop is,” Curley said. “It takes a village to make these events and the troop a success.”
The scouts stayed on a side known as the “Igloo,” which sits on a peninsula jutting into Salem Harbor, he said.
“When you’re there, you are right there on the Bay of Salem Harbor, and there’s a beach. It feels quite remote. You don’t feel like you’re in the city,” Curley said. “You have all the benefits of deep woods camping.”
He said the campsite has a campfire circle and the scouts were responsible for tending to the fire and cooking evening meals. They made pizzas with vegetables, cheese and pepperoni using cast iron dutch ovens, wax paper and hot coals. They were also responsible for shopping for the food, serving and cleaning.
“Sure, some of the pizzas had a little bit harder crust than others — a little bit of carbon edge to it. But that’s part of the joy of camping,” Curley said.
“They’re developing a sense of self confidence, a sense of resilience and leadership,” he said.
He said the older scouts trained the younger scouts on what they needed to achieve higher ranks, including learning the Scout Oath and tying various knots.
He said the scouts enjoyed the trip and embraced the weekend.
“It’s great to just put down the cell phones, get away from the computers, and get outside and explore this coastline, this campground,” Curley said. “And to do it with some independence.”
Curley said he and Scoutmaster Jim Squadrito are “really proud of what the scouts have been achieving, because we see that progress in them.”
