|
For a couple of Scouts, it was a sigh of relief when they realized that the boat was still where they left it.
The trip wasn't always intense. Matt Kuhn and Matt McClafferty kick back near Key West, Fla.
Jim and Matt Kuhn pause for their underwater photo opportunity.
Nine Boy Scouts, three adult leaders and 'Diver Dave' pose at the entrance |
"THE POOL IS OPEN!" The booming voice of the divemaster set hearts to racing in excitement and anticipation of an open-ocean SCUBA dive off the Florida Keys during Troop 26's recent five-day sailing and diving expedition.
Standing on the edge of the dive boat, each diver would take a giant stride--stepping off the boat and dropping about 5 feet to the crystal-blue water below.
After the rush of dropping into the open ocean and cutting through the water with a mass of bubbles, everyone quickly bobbed up to the surface. A quick hand signal indicated to the boat captain that everything was fine. Once each diver was paired up with his dive buddy, it was time to submerge into the wonderful world of coral reef diving. No telling what was waiting below the surface--sharks, eels, lobster, barracudas and coral fish of every color, size and hue.
Nine Boy Scouts and three adult leaders from Boy Scout Troop 26 in North Stafford traveled to the Boy Scouts of America's Florida National High Adventure Sea Base and spent five days sailing on the Conch Pearl, a 57-foot sailing schooner, along the Florida Keys.
During those five days at sea, the divers managed to get in 11 dives, including a memorable night dive to a sunken barge. The divers also served as members of the boat crew, helping out below decks in the galley (kitchen) and keeping the head (bathroom) clean, as well as helping square away (keep orderly) above decks and hoisting and lowering the sails.
Due to the threat of severe weather on one day, the Conch Pearl's captain suggested staying one night in harbor at Key West, Fla. There the divers got back their land legs and enjoyed the local entertainment, including the world-famous street performers in Mallory Square. But the call of the sea overcame these distractions, once the weather conditions improved, and it was back to the amazing view of life below the ocean's surface that only a SCUBA diver can know.
Along with diving every day, the crew spent time fishing, sunbathing and just relaxing in the sun. There's nothing quite like lounging on deck as the boat sails from one dive spot to the next. After the final dive, it was time to set course for home port.
Back on shore, we discovered renewed appreciation for a hot shower, a luxury not available on a simple sailing vessel. Once we were cleaned up and respectable, it was party time. We celebrated our week of sailing and diving adventures, along with other Sea Base Scouts who had also spent their week SCUBA diving, fishing or sailing, with skits, songs and the great food of a Florida-style luau.
And then, as with all good things, it was time for this adventure to come to an end. The next day we headed home, although we did manage to make a detour to visit the Miami Metro Zoo on the way to the airport. All in all, a great adventure that will not soon be forgotten.
To learn more about Scouting with Troop 26, sponsored by Mount Ararat Baptist Church in North Stafford, contact Scoutmaster Mike Haas at 540/809-4926, or visit the Troop Web site at t26-bsa.org.
