Adventures

T680 Adventures and Service - 2021-22

Sea Base

(July 17-23, 2022)

Six Scouts and two adults from Troop 680 went on a coral reef sailing and snorkeling trip at the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base the week of July 17. During the week, the Scouts and adults sailed more than 50 miles and explored three reefs, Coffins Patch, Sombrero, and Looe Key. Despite a few squalls and some days of strong winds and high waves, the trip was amazing and had many high points. Among these, a pod of dolphins followed the boat to Looe Key and swam through the reef while the group was snorkeling, and on the second dive at Sombrero, the group saw a reef shark. The group also did some fishing, catching two Yellow Tail Snappers, one Spanish Mackerel, and an Amber Jack. There was also time for some ice cream during the port day at Bahia Honda State Park. One adult and one Scout also earned the Triple Crown of High Adventure.

Westmoreland State Park Campout

(May 20-22, 2022)

Troop 680 went camping at Westmoreland State Park the weekend of May 20-22. It was the first time T680 had been back to Westmoreland since 2017. The weather was hot (in the 90s) and humid and there was even a brief thunderstorm late Saturday night after the campfire, but the Scouts had a great time. The campout focused on closing out some rank requirements for the younger Scouts while the older Scouts mentored them and also closed out a few Merit Badges. Saturday afternoon included a ranger-led hike along the Big Meadow Trail down to the fossil beach and the Troop spent some time looking for fossils. All-in-all, it was a successful campout.

March Court of Honor

(Mar. 27, 2022)

Troop 680 held its spring Court of Honor on March 27. At the Court of Honor the Troop recognized all of the AOL crossover Scouts who earned the Scout rank at the Jumpstart campout the weekend before at Prince William Forest Park. The Troop also recognized Scouts who earned other ranks, the SPL for his dedicated year of service, and one of the older Scouts who turned 18 and is leaving the Troop after a long Scouting career beginning with Cub Scouts. Troop 680 was also pleased to have its first ever Scout bugler play Taps on his trumpet during retirement of the colors.


Jumpstart Campout

(Mar. 18 -20, 2022)

Troop 680 welcomed four new Scouts to the Troop at the annual Jumpstart Campout at Prince William Forest Park the weekend of March 18-20. Jumpstart is designed to help the new Scouts complete all of the requirements for Scout rank and jumpstart them on the road to advancement in Scouts BSA. One of the older Scouts (with some assistance from the SPL and a couple of other Scouts) delivered the program to the new Scouts and did an excellent job. Also, in a first for Troop 680, the PLC decided to hold its annual Introduction to Leadership Skills Troops (ILST) program at the Jumpstart campout for those Scouts who were recently elected to leadership positions in the Troop. The Jumpstart program was taught by the SPL, ASPL, Instructor, and Troop Guide, all of whom did an outstanding job.

Winter Chill Campout

(Jan. 21 -23, 2022)

Because of changes to the annual Old Dominion District Klondike Derby this year, which is usually held at the Harpers Ferry KOA at the end of January, Troop 680 decided to move its annual winter chill campout from February to January and also moved the event from its usual campsite at Big Run State Park to the Harpers Ferry KOA. This was quite a treat for the Scouts who usually camp in tents in the snow at Big Run because they were allowed to stay in cabins at the KOA just like at the ODD Klondike. Although they were allowed in cabins, the Troop decided to keep with its tradition of watching a movie outside in the cold, around a campfire. The Scouts also went on a day trip to historic Harpers Ferry.

Caving at Kees Cave

(Dec. 17-19, 2021)

Troop 680 went caving at Kees Cave in Franklin, WV the weekend of December 17-19. It was the Troop's third trip to Kees cave since 2017 and all of the Scout who attended had a great time. The Scouts were divided into two groups. Older Scouts who have been caving previously explored two levels of the cave and climbed "the chimney" while younger Scouts / novice cavers explored the main level of the cave, including the "mud room." For this adventure, the Troop partnered once again with Wild GUYde Adventures, LLC for the caving portion of the trip and stayed at the Thorn Spring Park 4H Camp in Franklin. The Troop also checked out the new pizza place in town before venturing into the cave.

Scouting for Food

(Nov. 12, 2021)

On Saturday November 12, 2021, Troop 680 participated in the annual nationwide Scouting for Food (SFF) collection to help stock area food banks for the upcoming winter season. Twenty-one Scouts and fifteen adults collected 501 bags of food weighing 5,099 lbs. from neighborhoods comprised of 2,600 homes and delivered the food to the United Community food bank. The 2021 effort set a new record for T680, surpassing last year's mark by 150 lbs. The effort could not have succeeded without the help of Cub Scout Pack 680 who placed flyers on the doors of the 2,600 homes the week before reminding them of the collection on the 12th.

Introduction to Backpacking Trip

(Oct. 30-31, 2021)

The Boy Scouts of Troop 680 took the AOL Scouts of Pack 680 on an overnight introduction to backpacking trek on the C&O Canal from Saturday, October 30, to Sunday, October 31. The Boy Scouts hiked approximately 4.4 miles from Seneca Landing / Riley's Lock (mile post 22.8) to Sycamore Landing (mile post 27.2) where they met up with the AOL Scouts. The group then hiked another 3.3 miles to the Chisel Branch trail campsite (mile post 30.5), where they spent the night. The next morning, the group hiked 0.3 miles to the Edward Ferry parking lot for the drive home. Additional photos may be seen on the Adventure Page and parents may download all pictures from the private pages photo album.

Whitewater Rafting

(September 17-19, 2021)

Troop 680 camped at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland, VA during the weekend of September 17-19 and went whitewater rafting on the James River on Saturday morning, September 18. This was the first time T680 did an urban whitewater trip, rafting through downtown Richmond on Class I-III rapids. Previous whitewater trips for the Troop have included the New River in West Virginia (class II-V) and learning whitewater skills on the manmade course at ASCI in Swanton, MD. For many of the Scouts this was a first time experience. The weather was great and everyone had fun.

Additional photos for parents are available in the photo album on the secure pages.

Photos Courtesy of @rvapaddlesports

Assateague Beach Campout

(August 27-29, 2021)

Troop 680 held its annual beach campout at Assateague State Park in Berlin, MD on the weekend of August 27-29. The weather cooperated and the Troop enjoyed a weekend of fun at the beach. This year, there were no food losses to the wild ponies. Pictures will be posted as soon as they are available.