In the Hampton Union today...

Courtesy photo: All aboard for adventure in the Keys. From left: Brian Harning, 18, leader Wayne Gagnon, Andy Stocker, 15, leader Adam Stocker, Captain Dennis, Colin Gagnon, 17, Justin Stocker, 18, Nate Vincent, 16, Alex Gagnon, 14.

Scouts get a taste of the open sea
Earn patches on sailing trip to Florida Keys
By Amy Kane

Six Scouts from Troop 162 earned Sea Base patches on an August trip to the Florida Keys with two of their leaders. A 45-foot sailboat became their home for a week as they learned about navigation, sailing and fishing, and explored underwater coral reefs.

The adventure began with a day at the Florida Sea Base in Islamorada, which is owned and operated by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. There they each passed a swimming physical fitness test and were issued snorkeling gear.

That evening there was an intense thunderstorm and strong winds. The dramatic weather was "a good start to the trip," said Alex Gagnon, 14. Luckily it was the only time it rained that week.

The group sailed with Captain Dennis, an experienced yachtsman, south through the Keys. They stopped to fish, swim, snorkel and sightsee among the archipelago of subtropic islands curving 120 miles below the southern tip of Florida.

"You can spend a whole day in the water there, it's so warm," said Nathan Vincent, 16. "It's really clear, you can see the bottom from the surface."

With underwater cameras, the boys captured images of the colorful fish of the coral reefs. With tickle sticks and nets, they worked in teams to catch spiny lobsters for dinner. They were careful to wear sunscreen and T-shirts in the water to avoid a trip-spoiling sunburn.

Barracudas, manta rays, sea turtles and dolphins were spotted. Swimmers were careful to avoid contact with the jellyfish that were prone to congregate around the boat ladder.

"The captain said if you get stung it's your own fault," said Nathan. No one did.

A highlight of the trip was a day spent in Key West. They took photos standing by the marker for the Southernmost Point and Mile Zero on Route 1. They watched the sunset celebration with its impromptu street celebration, with performers and vendors, jugglers, tricky cats and dogs, and an escape artist.

Nights were peaceful, said Alex, reading and playing cards. One night they learned about navigating by the stars.

Nathan said the trip was memorable not just for the location and experiences, but: "It's the last time most of these guys will be together."

Brian Harning just started college at Cornell University. Justin Stocker is off to Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Justin recently became an Eagle Scout and a Court of Honor is planned for Brian this fall.

"Kids have a lot of pressure in life," said Scoutmaster Wayne Gagnon. "It was one of those trips where you forget about everything. A lot of relaxing and a lot of camaraderie."

The trip was funded in part by the annual wreath sale, calendar sale and yard sale. The troop plans a trip to Sea Base in Florida or the Bahamas every three or four years.