Members of Atglen Boy Scout Troop 20 recently took time to reflect on their High Adventure camping trip to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, which took place from Aug. 8 to 20. Algonquin Provincial Park, which covers 3,000 square miles and includes 2,400 lakes and 600 miles of streams and rivers, is noted for its wildlife, which includes a large population of moose. During the trip, Scouts and their leaders took part in activities such as canoeing, hiking, fishing and cooking over an open fire.

"It was a hard trip, particularly the portages (carrying watercraft or cargo over land)," said David Hook, a ninth-grader at Octorara Junior-Senior High School. "The views were awesome, (especially) the sunsets and sunrises." David said that he would recommend the experience to other Scouts.

Bennett Miller, a 10th-grader at Collegium Charter School, said he was impressed with the peaceful solitude that the campers experienced. "The views were great, and we went five days without seeing anyone else. It was silent in some areas," he said. Bennett said he would also recommended the experience. "I would recommend it for a seasoned Scout - definitely a cool trip," he said.

"It was a lot harder than I expected, but I would do it again," added Sean Letz, a ninth-grader at Commonwealth Charter Academy. "It was fun seeing a moose swimming - pretty cool."

"It was a lot of fun. It's definitely more on the challenging side," added Gavin Preising, a 12th-grader at Octorara Junior-Senior High School.

According to http://www.scouting.org, High Adventure trips generally include camping for several days in remote settings and challenging oneself to complete outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking and operating watercraft.

Atglen Troop 20 is already preparing for its next High Adventure trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico in the summer of 2023. Philmont Scout Ranch, the largest national High Adventure Base offered by the Boy Scouts of America, has 36 staffed backcountry camps scattered throughout the 140,171-acre property. While there, Scouts will take part in rock climbing, horseback riding, mine tours and living history programs. The Philmont property also serves as the national training center for the Boy Scouts of America and is home to the National Scout Museum.

Boys interested in joining Atglen Scout Troop 20 are welcome to visit during any regular meeting. Meetings are held at Penningtonville Presbyterian Church, 406 Main St., Atglen, on Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.