BSA Troop 310 hikes national park

TOP PHOTO: Members of Boy Scout Troop 310 recently hiked the Cumberland Gap National Park.

CUMBERLAND GAP, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – A five mile hike with a 1,000 feet elevation change, all the while using maps, a compass and trail markers for navigation, was the mission accomplished recently by members of Campbell County Boy Scout Troop 310.

“We even hiked a section of Wilderness Road which is untouched by ‘earth movers of the 20^th century’,” said Scout Master Chris Thacker.  The veteran scout master said it offered a glimpse to our not so distant past.

Scouts hiked the Cumberland Gap National Park on Saturday, Feb. 18, meeting one of the requirements for the Second Class rank. Those making the hike were Danny Garrett-First Class, Ryan Cronin-First Class, Gabe Gibson-Scout rank, Crystal Thacker, troop committee vice-chair and Chris Thacker scoutmaster. “Congratulations to Gabe Gibson on his first hike with the troop,” said the scoutmaster.

Skylight Cave was also an area where the scouts ventured.  “Since the cave is closed until April, we only went to the mouth of it for a photo.  That gives us a good reason to go back and explore that great natural feature,” said Thacker. 

Cub Scouts is open to boys and girls in grades K-5, along with Scouts BSA is for young men and women aged 11 to 18. Venturing and Sea Scouts is open to young men and women aged 14 to 20.    

For more information about joining Boy Scouts of America here locally, contact Chris Thacker at 423-494-6221.

For more information about joining the local female Scouts BSA troop 435, contact Liz White at 423.907.4160. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/27/2023-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF SCOUTMASTER CHRIS THACKER)