Lynnfield’s BSA Boy Scout Troop 48 enjoyed a weekend camping adventure at Winter Island in Salem on Oct. 5-6.
The older Scouts trained the younger Scouts on the elements needed to achieve Scout rank, including the Scout Oath and Motto, as well as various knots. The Scouts also explored the beach and campground, played flashlight tag, and baked pizzas from scratch in Dutch ovens using hot coals. For breakfast, they cooked eggs, bacon, sausage, and bagels.
The Scouts camped at the group site known as the “Igloo.” The campground sits on a peninsula that juts into Salem Harbor and offers amazing views of sailing boats, open harbor, and a lighthouse.
According to an online history of Winter Island, published by Rebecca Beatrice Brooks on Jan. 17, 2022, the land has a storied past dating back to the Naumkeag Native American tribe. After Salem was settled in the early 1600s, Winter Island became the center of the Salem fishing industry. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, several prisoners were executed by hanging on “Execution Hill” on Winter Island. Today, Winter Island is a peaceful campground open to the public for camping and day trips.
Scouting offers young people the chance to step away from digital life (mobile phones, computer gaming, etc.) and engage in real-life adventures, including year-round outdoor activities. The Scouts build friendships and team bonds with others aged 12 to 17, and work their way up to “Eagle Scout,” a rank achieved by fewer than 5% of Scouts. This year, Lynnfield’s Troop 48 anticipates awarding four Eagle Scouts, a significant achievement for the community, as many larger towns do not celebrate that many Eagles in a single year.
The Troop’s next adventure will be a campout at Danvers Fish & Game Club on the weekend of Nov. 9-10. Other upcoming overnight adventures include climbing and sleeping at the indoor rock-climbing gym MetroRock in Everett, as well as camping at Pat’s Peak Ski Area in Henniker, New Hampshire, for a special Scout Ski, Snowboard, and Snow Tubing Weekend.
If you know someone aged 12 to 17 who would enjoy the adventures and leadership lessons Scouting offers, new Scouts are welcome to join at any time. Potential Scouts and their parents/guardians are invited to attend a meeting or Scouting event to try it out. For more information, contact Troop 48 Scoutmaster Jim Squadrito at jsquadrito@gmail.com.
