Scouts of Troop 12 at the summit of Table Mountain (11,106 feet ) overlooking Grand Teton.

From July 28 to Aug. 6, 18 Boys Scouts from Hollis Troop 12 traveled to Wyoming for the troop’s biannual “Big Trip.”

Scouts and adult leaders first ventured through Yellowstone National Park, where they experienced the park’s many geyser basins and hot springs, witnessed impressive waterfalls including Yellowstone Falls, and viewed elk, bison, moose and a grizzly bear.

They next enjoyed an excursion into Jackson Hole, where they spent an afternoon whitewater rafting on the Snake River. Perhaps the most memorable part of the trip came during the final five days, spent in Grand Teton National Park. After camping and swimming in Lake Jackson on the east side of the mountains, the troop headed through Idaho to attack the Teton range from the west. Over the next several days, scouts embarked on hiking in the Tetons, fly fishing in Teton Creek and its many tributaries and backpacking for three days above tree line amongst glaciers and breathtaking views. Scouts hiked up to 40 miles during this portion of the trip and climbed through an elevation gain of a total of over 13,000 feet. Places that most casual tourists don’t get to see, such as Alaska Basin, the 11,106 foot Table Mountain, Devil’s Staircase and the wind cave of Darby Canyon will be memories these scouts will savor for years to come.

Through the generosity and support of the Hollis-Brookline community, Troop 12 is able to embark on a “Big Trip” every two years for its senior Scouts, who are at least 14 years old and hold the First Class rank. The most recent three trips were to Alaska, Montana and Utah. Troop 12 prides itself on its outdoor program. Earlier in the summer, the the troop sent 23 Scouts to summer camp at the Griswold Scout Reservation. This summer’s culminating activities wrapped up a Scouting year that included whitewater rafting on the Kennebec River, a backpacking trek in the Franconia Ridge area, a ski trip to Vermont, orienteering, a wilderness survival weekend, as well as hiking and snowshoeing in all fours seasons and types of weather – both locally and in the White Mountains, camping during each month of the year and numerous service projects that benefit our community.

Thank you for helping us make this program as great as it is. We’ll see you out in the community! Stop by our sausage booth during Old Home Days to hear some of our stories from the trip.

– Submitted by Boy Scout Troop 12, Hollis