Mormon Times asked for photos and experiences from LDS youths this summer. What we received were those of service or experiences that strengthened their testimonies and friendships.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The canoe trip was 100 miles for 40 Scouts and 11 leaders from northern Indiana and southwest Michigan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts program.
Every other year the LDS troops in the South Bend Indiana Stake come together for a stake Scout encampment. This year, rather than attend a traditional Scout camp, the Young Men planned an extraordinary experience.
The trip began in Three Rivers, Mich., and followed the river down through northern Indiana in the South Bend area.
The Scouts, ages 12 to 18, paddled 100 miles in six days, from July 12 to 17, with several portages along the way. Each day a different troop led the group, giving opportunities for leadership and teamwork.
They saw a voyager canoe and were filmed by a local PBS television station in a documentary on the state parks in the area. The group made the pages of most of the local papers and even had a clip on WSBT, a local television station.
Each evening the boys camped along the river and participated in various activities which included training in Indian lore, cooking, CPR and first aid.
The tip ended at Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, Mich., where the U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat in St. Joseph Harbor saluted the canoeists over the intercom as they completed the adventure on Saturday, July 17.
The boys earned the 50 miles A float patch, Historic trails patch, Leave No Trace training patch and a special activity patch for 2010 — the 100 miles for 100 years LDS/BSA. All boys participating in the canoe trip were required to pass the BSA swimming certification, a BSA physical examination and be registered scouts.
The Scouts and leaders hailed from Warsaw, Plymouth, Elkhart, Goshen, Wakarusa, Bristol, Mishawaka and South Bend, Ind., along with boys from Niles and South Haven, Mich.
Linday Daley is the public affairs director for the South Bend Indiana Stake.