Local scout troop hosts
supertrip with ‘Camp Rio Aerie’

Since 1987, when Scout Troop 1254 from Cooperstown went on a supertrip of more than 5,000 miles to the Grand Canyon, the troop has had a tradition of doing a trip every two years.

Other destinations have included Katahdin in Maine, the Florida Everglades and Mt. Rainier in Washington.

This year was scheduled to be the 18th anniversary of the original trip 34 years ago, but COVID changed the traveling world.

With Crumhorn Mountain Scout Camp closed for regular Summer Camping, the troop decided on a very unusual combination of summer camp and supertrip.

Rio Aerie was born and on July 11, the troop descended on the camp site along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Portlandville.

Supported by Scoutmasters Diana Nicols and David Zimba and led by Patrol Leaders Lincoln diLorenzo, Tara diLorenzo, Rose Crowson and Riles Sheldon, the scouts engaged in their typical summer camp activities, including fishing merit badge, taught by Walter Mclaughlin of Portlandville and Florida and motorboating merit badge taught by Frank Capozza of Middlefield.

Camp Staff member Grey Wolf is a resident member of the Mohican people. He taught Native American Traditional and Indian Lore Merit badge.

As the week drew to a close, there was a closing family barbeque where awards were presented and scouts told their families about their week of adventure.

The Scouts hope to camp at Rio Aerie again, perhaps in the fall, and they hope to return to Crumhorn Mountain in Summer of 2022.

There are also plans for a supertrip to a distant locale in 2023.

Troop 1254 is a linked Scout Troop for Boys and Girls ages 11 to 18. The troop meets on Tuesday evenings. Contact Diana Nicols at dbnicols@gmail.com for more information.