Each month, Boy Scouts Troop 85 in Magnolia, led by Scoutmaster Tom McKoy heads out to the wilderness to set up camp under the stars, and sometimes under the snowbanks of the Cascades.
No matter the weather, the troop is prepared to brave the elements and endure the outdoors. The troop has wintry camping trips planned for December and January. And come February, the group will head out to Mount Rainier where they will not set up tents but build igloos.
"We make bricks out of the snow," McKoy said. And just like the Inuit of lore, Troop 85, including Eagle Scout candidates Brian Marassi and John Hall, stack the bricks of their snow homes that when complete, is big enough for two or three Scouts and will keep them pretty warm. The trick, McKoy said, is to have the doorway elevated a bit so the floor is lower. That way the warm air stays inside.
"We have snow saws and snow shovels, and to build one takes about two to three hours," McKoy said.
In spite of the good winter fun that comes with such outings, Troop 85 continues to look for new members. McKoy has nine kids but wants at least 20. Though memberships has declined of late, the Cub Scout feeder pack in the neighborhood is growing.[[In-content Ad]]
