-by Pierce Dargan

Wet weather the weekend of April 25 couldn’t deter the Scouts of Troop 80. A caravan of 32 thrill-seeking scouts, troop leaders and parents traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania for the season’s first outdoor camping trip at the Hersheypark Camping Resort. The trip was planned by Senior Patrol Leader J. P. Widmer.

The highlight of the trip came Saturday, when Scouts spent the day exploring iconic Hersheypark, the largest amusement park in the state. Even in the rain, Scouts made memories riding the park’s eight roller coasters and dozens of the park’s 68 other rides.

A visit to the World of Chocolate showcased the way Hershey’s chocolate is made and offered Scouts an opportunity to satisfy their sweet tooth (and purchase souvenirs). The kitchen crew, led by Declan McCreight, then prepared a fireside dinner of chicken burritos for the campers that was followed by an early bedtime in the rain.

All in all, it was a sweet ending to exploring the “Sweetest Place on Earth.”