Sparta Scout Troop 150 experiences Gettysburg

Sparta — Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, Pickett’s Charge, Cemetery Ridge... for the boys of Sparta Troop 150 these aren’t just words in a history book anymore. After a three-day camping and hiking trip to Gettysburg, they’ve seen all this — and more — first hand. Starting behind the Union lines, the boys began their 10-mile hike moving south along Cemetery Ridge to the Pennsylvania Memorial, through fields and woods to Little Round Top and Devil’s Den. Then they hiked across the Wheat Field into confederate territory finally coming full circle with an “assault” on Cemetery Ridge hiding in the swales and following the path of Pickett’s charge. Along the way, the boys climbed to the top of a 307-foot observer tower looking back over all the parts of the battlefield, they explored the rock formations in the Devil’s Den and learned a lot about the cavalry, infantry and artillery. Assistant Scoutmaster Mark Keenan, who guided the tour reflected, “One of the parts of the Scout Law is that a scout is reverent, and it was very important for the boys to understand the tremendous sacrifices that happened here.” One highlight for the boys was the Cyclorama depicting Pickett’s charge — the climactic final battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. This 360-degree panoramic painting was completed in 1884 and has actual battle artifacts integrated into the foreground. Other highlights mentioned by the boys was seeing two bullets in the museum that were fused together when they collided in midair during the battle and seeing a large hole still remaining in the brick gable of a house on the battlefield caused by a confederate cannonball. The scouts might have found Gettysburg cool, but a stop at Crystal Caves in Kutztown, Pa., on the way home was literally cool — constant year round temperature of 54 degrees cool. The troop explored the natural caves and passageways which lie 125 feet underground and open into large cavern rooms complete with stalactite and stalagmite rock formations, crevices and sleeping bats. Next month Troop 150 will be heading out to Valley Forge National Historic Park for more camping and exploring. The troop meets at 7 p.m. on Monday evenings at the Sparta Methodist Church. All interested boys between the ages of 11 to 18 are welcome. For more information you can e-mail Troop 150 at Troop150Info@EyesNJ.com