By Alec Nelson
Last summer, Eagle Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 165 of Fredericksburg, VA, cycled across the country, from California to Virginia. Their goal was "to demonstrate how motivated young men, committed to the values of exercise and healthy living, practice the twelve points of the Boy Scout Law while challenging themselves to reach new heights." After six days in a bus and 63 days on bikes, these 17 Eagle Scouts achieved their goals and had lots of adventures along the way.
The Scouts began their nine week trip on June 14th, taking a bus from Virginia to California. They arrived six days later in Stinson Beach, a small community north of San Francisco and began their ride. Through the course of their journey, they traveled through eight states. Along the way the group made certain to stop at national parks, Scout camps, and other popular tourist destinations along the way.
“Our mission was to spread the word of nutrition and healthy living to every Scout troop we could find,” said Bruce White, the troop’s Scoutmaster. “We met over 30 troops on our trip.”
The 3,000 mile and nine week adventure was also designed to help encourage Scouts to stay interested in the program.
“I was told by the other adults when I joined the troop 16 years ago that my sons would have fun until high school and would then lose interest,” White said. “Well with our high adventure program our Scouts stay around until they age out, some even longer. It keeps them involved and that helps the younger Scouts too.”
More information on Eagle Scouts Cycling Across America can be found at www.ESCAA2014.org.