The Varsity Scout - Amazing Race Group!
Ethan, Royal, Brandon, Devon, Michael, Tyler and Rustin
On Monday, June 20 Devon and a group from his Varsity Scout troop left for 5 days in the wilderness- biking, hiking and canoeing southwestern Kentucky.
Four boys: Devon Lowe, Ethan Hansen, Rustin Tippetts, and Michael Sampson
Two leaders: Brother Brandon White and Brother Tyler Madsen
The first day - they left Louisville at 4:30 a.m. from Brother White's house to the Land Between the Lakes. At the start of their trip, they happened upon a crime scene (not the way they planned on starting). They moved on and road out on bikes for a total of 53 miles. Devon said he had an "awesome time". He loved riding down hills, but sometimes ended up going too fast. They camped that night under the stars.
Ethan, Devon, Royal, Trevor Madsen and Rustin
Rustin and Devon on the trail.
Brother White would text me every few hours to show me the map coordinates of where they were. It was amazing to see their progress. I felt a small bit connected to them. I already miss Devon so much. I wonder how he and the other boys are doing. I'm not worried - I trust them, and their leaders - I just wonder what they are seeing, doing, feeling. I miss him.
Brother Brandon White with Devon
Day 2 - up early for a day of hiking and backpacking to Mammoth Cave National Park. The weather was brutal - 100 degrees that felt like 115. Luckily the boys had Camelpacks to keep hydrated. Devon started his day with Cocoa Puffs and pre-cooked bacon (as he will every day).
Around 11 am Brother White lost cell coverage - their goes my contact with the boys. It wasn't until late on Wednesday night that I heard from them (while they were on their way to Fort Knox). They hiked through some beautiful areas of Kentucky. It was an exhausting day. At least tomorrow is canoeing.
Day 3 - Canoeing the Indiana River to the entrance of Mammoth Caves Park. The weather didn't let up - hot, hot, hot. At least it didn't rain. This was a more relaxing day, however there were challenges there as well. That night the boys got to take an evening "Starburst" Cave tour. At the end of the tour they were transported to camp at Fort Knox. They camped right on the "Reserved for Boy Scouts" spot at Fort Knox. Devon said it was really cool.
Devon and Michael in the front canoe, Brandon and Trevor in the middle canoe, and Ethan and Rustin in the back canoe.
Place to stop and explore.
That night the boys got to take an evening "Starburst" Cave tour.
Awaiting the cave tour
At the end of the tour they were transported to camp at Fort Knox. They camped right on the "Reserved for Boy Scouts" spot at Fort Knox. Devon said it was really cool.
Day 4 - Fort Knox and the hike back to Jefferson County. To start the day the boys got to play on the most expensive video game of their lives - a simulated shooting range. CRAZY! They ate lunch before hiking for the rest of the day. Today, the temperature was so hot that it broke the standing record, and my boy is out there hiking in it. I wish I had video of they crazy things these boys would do together. I have no idea. They didn't make it to Irquois Park, so they camped at a Jefferson County Park right on the line between Jefferson and Bullitt County.
Brother Madsen, Brother White, Officer, Brother Gold, Brother Hazelett
Rustin, Michael, Devon and Ethan
Day 5 - this is the SURPRISE day. Devon and the boys think they are hiking back to Crestwood - 25 miles, but instead I have been busy preparing food for them to enjoy a day on Taylorsville Lake on Bishop Wakild's boat and Brother Cavanah's Jet Skis. Since I couldn't do much, I made sure they had great food - chicken salad, turkey, ham, for hoagies - pasta salad, potato salad, coke, root beer, water, bananas, grapes, peaches, (watermelon that we couldn't take), brownies, cookies, rice krispies, cheese, pepperoni and crackers. I think they boys loved the time on the water. Devon got to waterski twice.
What an amazing experience - I don't think he (nor I) will ever forget all the adventures he went through. I'm so proud of him for his preparation, leadership, and ability to preserver.
I am so grateful for amazing leaders that were willing and able to take a week off work to take these boys on this trip - to sacrifice time away from their families, and so much more and to be willing to do to all of this themselves. Brother White and Brother Madsen are amazing!
P - Preparation
R - Rely on the Lord
A - Accountability
Y - You and me
E - Enduring
R - Resilient
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