Boy Scouts Experience Navy Life

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) Crystal M. Mullen, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

June 8, 2010 - SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Boy Scouts Troop 918 from Saddleback Church Troop in Orange County, Calif., had the opportunity to experience Navy life during a camping trip in San Diego June 5-6.

Several adults and 43 children from the troop set up camp at Naval Submarine Base Point Loma.

The camping trip was an opportunity for the troop to complete the requirements for their community merit badge.

"This is the first time we have done this trip," said Dave Klein, assistant scoutmaster. "We are working on our citizenship in the community merit badge. We not only learn about our community, but people that serve their community, and serving your country is certainly serving your community. It is one of the ultimate ways to serve."

A Navy SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) officer spoke to the group and started his presentation off with a leadership exercise, which was led by the troop's acting senior patrol leader.

After lunch the troop received a tour of USS Halsey (DDG 97).

"This has been one of my favorite trips," said Nathan Gibson, who is 12-years-old. "I really liked the destroyer, and I think everybody like it."

The scoutmaster for the troop was happy with the way the trip was going.

"They enjoyed coming on base, meeting different people in the military, and they like to see things in action," said Matt Burstein, scoutmaster. "I am pleasantly surprised, everybody we have met has been very friendly and open, and I am very pleased with the people we've met, they have been very warm and welcoming."

The children in the troop expressed how much they enjoyed the trip and the tours they were given by Navy personnel.

"I thought the trip was awesome and my favorite part was touring the destroyer," said Justin Harrison, who is 11-years-old. "Getting to see the sleeping area and the galley was really interesting."

"I have two boys in the scouts, and it seemed like a really unique opportunity to see what was in the Navy," said Chris Miller, a parent who attended the troop event. "It gives the boys a chance to experience something that they would rarely have gotten access to."