TROOP PHOTO ALBUM

On February 19, 2011, during the weekend of Washington's Birthday, Troop 21 sent a contingent to take part in the annual Valley Forge Pilgrimage event sponsored by the Cradle of Liberty Boy Scout Council. It was the 99th pilgrimage, which is held in conjunction with the Valley Forge Encampment. The Encampment is the longest-running Boy Scout camping event in the United States. Youth members Adam, Phil, Steve, Tom, Dom, and Adam took part in the hike around the main field of Valley Forge National Park. Steve Klassner, Bob Buchinski, Drew Yurkanin, and Frank Klassner were participating adult leaders. At the cold weather training for the event, we were told that the weather is very unpredictable, and this year did not disappoint. Although the temperatures were in the upper thirties, the wind chill kept things down in the teens. The hikers will always remember how the wind gusted so strongly that it blew over a port-o-john! When the wind blew, it was even difficult to talk. At the pilgrimage we saw re-enactors demonstrate how muskets were filled and fired, heard what medical techniques were available to the troops suffering from cold and low rations at Valley Forge and in battles, and learned about the role of African Americans in the Revolutionary war. The focus for the pilgrimage was the life of the Marquis De Lafayette, a great commander in the Revolutionary War and a strong supporter of George Washington. His family motto was "Cur Non?" or, "Why Not?" and we figured that fit our troop's attitude to a T!

2011 Valley Forge Pilgrimage On February 19, 2011, during the weekend of Washington's Birthday, Troop 21 sent a contingent to take part in the annual Valley Forge Pilgrimage event sponsored by the Cradle of Liberty Boy Scout Council. It was the 99th pilgrimage, which is held in conjunction with the Valley Forge Encampment. The Encampment is the longest-running Boy Scout camping event in the United States. Youth members Adam, Phil, Steve, Tom, Dom, and Adam took part in the hike around the main field of Valley Forge National Park. Steve Klassner, Bob Buchinski, Drew Yurkanin, and Frank Klassner were participating adult leaders. At the cold weather training for the event, we were told that the weather is very unpredictable, and this year did not disappoint. Although the temperatures were in the upper thirties, the wind chill kept things down in the teens. The hikers will always remember how the wind gusted so strongly that it blew over a port-o-john! When the wind blew, it was even difficult to talk. At the pilgrimage we saw re-enactors demonstrate how muskets were filled and fired, heard what medical techniques were available to the troops suffering from cold and low rations at Valley Forge and in battles, and learned about the role of African Americans in the Revolutionary war. The focus for the pilgrimage was the life of the Marquis De Lafayette, a great commander in the Revolutionary War and a strong supporter of George Washington. His family motto was "Cur Non?" or, "Why Not?" and we figured that fit our troop's attitude to a T!