Local Boy Scout Troops attend 2018 USMMA Invitational Camporee

Boy Scout Troop 43 charted by St Peters Episcopal Church of Bay Shore, Troop 254 of East Islip and Troop 60 of Lindenhurst along with scout troops from other parts of the Tri-state area had the honor and privilege of attending the U S Merchant Marine Academy's Kings Point Eagle Scout Association's invitational camporee on March 23-25, 2018.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers of exemplary character who serve America’s marine transportation and defense needs in peace and war. The USMMA is located in Kings Point NY, is the only institution among the nation’s five federal academies authorized to carry a battle standard as part of its color guard. The proud and colorful battle standard perpetuates the memory of the 142 Academy Cadet-Midshipmen who died in service during World War II.

Each troop was assigned a Midshipman Cadet from the Academy that served as their guide for the weekend. The Scouts set up tents on campus and cooked all their own meals at the campsite using the skills learned in the scouting program. They spent their Saturday learning about the rich history of the USMMA and had the opportunity to participate in many hands on interactive activities with the staff and midshipman of the academy. Through out the weekend the Scouts saw the Officers and Cadets living up to the USMMA motto “Acta Non Verba" - deeds not words.

Engineers in the Diesel and Steam Engine lab gave the scouts interactive lessons about the mechanical systems of the vessels, explaining the propulsion and how they create their own electric and make fresh water from sea water. The firefighters and security officers gave demonstrations on emergency procedures, allowing the scouts to use their safety equipment to practice extinguishing fires and how to signal for help. Each scout also had the opportunity to practice navigating a ship using both a navigation simulator as well as taking turns on the bridge of the Academy’s 41 foot utility boat 210 on the waters under the Throgs Neck Bridge.

Other activities during the weekend included a tour of the campus, a visit to the USMMA Museum (where the scouts learned about the 142 Cadet-Midshipmen who gave their lives in service during World War II), use of the campus observatory to view the moon and stars, and assisting the cadet’s color guard with opening and closing ceremonies by raising and lowering the flag.

In keeping with Boy Scout camporee tradition there was a chili cook-off. Troop 43 earned a tie for second place in the competition with their dutch oven recipe.

All scouts had the opportunity to participate with the cadets during their Sunday Morning rigorous PT (Physical Training) program. Troop 43's SPL (Senior Patrol Leader) earned the recognition of being the only scout at this year's camporee to complete the entire work out. All the members of Troop 43 attending the camporee showed true scout spirit encouraging him and participating by running the last quarter mile with him to cheer him on to the finish line.

For more information on the USMMA please visit their website: www.usmma.edu

For more information on Boy Scout Troop 43 by the Sea of Bay Shore please visit their website: http://troop0043bayshore.scoutlander.com

For more information on Boy Scout Programs in Suffolk County visit their website:

https://www.sccbsa.org