SHERBURNE – The Scouts and families of Sherburne Pack 66 packed and headed on a grand adventure to Albany recently. The group’s first stop was the New York State Museum. They explored what makes New York State a unique and great place to live. All the exhibits were enjoyed but there were three favorites – The Sesame Street Set, The Iroquois Longhouse and The Carousel. The group then walked the Empire State Plaza to the State Capitol building; while it was closed, it was inspiring to be on the steps of the very building where important decisions and laws are made. They also took in the sculptures on the Plaza, but everyone was most intrigued by “The Egg” which houses two theatres.
The day was heating up to the official temperature of 84 degrees by the time the group reached its final destination, the USS Slater. The USS Slater is a World War II destroyer escort moored on the Hudson River at Albany. Between 1943 and 1945, the United States built 563 destroyer escorts which combined heavy anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons with the latest electronic equipment for detecting enemy vessels. In addition, destroyer escorts were designed to be maneuverable, high speed, long range vessels that could be built quickly due to their all-welded construction. The Slater would be the group’s accommodations for the night.
Our group of 36 Scouts and families were split up into three crews – Starboard Crew, Port Crew and The Ladies. Each Crew had their own tour guides who enlightened them to the duties and life of an enlisted sailor and the officers. They also participated in duties such as KP, lowering and raising the colors. The Ladies had their own group as women did not serve on the USS Slater during World War II, and thus did not have to participate in KP. Each person chose their ‘rack’ (Navy parlance for a bed) carefully; the jury is still out as to which level was best – bottom, middle or top. It was hot at all levels! After the tours grub was served then it was all out war! The group descended upon free time in which the kids enjoyed using the guns and cannons sighting imaginary enemies, a few parents and leaders. They were then treated to a presentation by Tom McLaughlin on flags and World War II.
It was soon time to wind down with quiet games of Battleship and chess before attempting to sleep in the sweltering crew quarters. The ship eventually cooled down by 5 a.m. A very tired but happy ‘crew’ raised the colors in the morning. After receiving shore passes, the Scouts departed for Sherburne.
Pack 66 would like to thank the community for helping make this possible by supporting our various fund raising efforts. They would like to recognize their leaders who were wonderful – Heidi Seymour, Galina Peschel, Paula Howard, Laurie Rivenburg and Greg Sigman. They would also like to brag about their wonderful parents. It takes a community to raise a kid, but parents to raise a Pack. And, what an awesome Pack Sherburne has! If you know a boy between 1st and 5th grade interested in participating in Cub Scouts call Paula Howard, Cub Master, at 674-2340.