Scout Troop 95 visits Gettysburg
SPARTA. Members hike about 20 miles and tour the Visitor Center, National Cemetery and Eisenhower National Historic Site.
Sparta /
| 18 Apr 2025 | 03:52
Scouts examine a Civil War-era cannon while learning about battlefield tactics used during the Battle of Gettysburg. (Photos provided)
Eighteen Scouts and seven adult leaders pose at the Pennsylvania Monument during the 9.8-mile hike on the Billy Yank Trail.
Scouts line up at the Eisenhower National Historic Site after a guided tour of President Dwight Eisenhower’s home.
Eighteen members and seven adult leaders of Boy Scout Troop 95 of Sparta traveled to Gettysburg, Pa., on April 10-13 to complete the Gettysburg Heritage Trails program.
The program is a five-part educational initiative designed to teach Scouts about the Battle of Gettysburg and its significance in American history.
The program covers the Visitor Center and National Cemetery, the Billy Yank Trail, the Johnny Reb Trail, the Eisenhower National Historic Site and the Historic Gettysburg Trail.
Troop 95 completed all five elements during the two-day stay to earn that patch.
Scouts hiked about 20 miles throughout the trip.
They also took a guided ghost tour of the Jennie Wade House, which focuses on the civilian experience during the battle.
Troop 95 camped at the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association, which is adjacent to a former Civil War military hospital.
The trip was planned by Life Scout Alex Karpowich with support from Assistant Scoutmaster Charlie Kane.
The Scouts were led through the hikes by Senior Patrol Leader Jacob Adams.
“This was a well-organized trip that offered an excellent opportunity for our Scouts to experience history in a hands-on way,” said Scoutmaster Nick Franko. “I was especially proud of our newest Scouts, some of whom only joined the troop a few weeks ago.”
Troop 95’s next trip will be in May to Mystic, Conn., where Scouts will participate in the Anchor Watch program at the Mystic Seaport Museum. They will complete the steps to earn the Oceanography Merit Badge.