Cub Scout Pack 581 visited the Historical Baptism Cultural Heritage and Historic Site on a hiking field trip February 18.

The boys who hiked the trail were Jaylen Anderson, Cayden Stevens, Jaxson Armbrister, Mekhari Bacon, Chad Barrett Jr., Landon Barrett, Charles (Ben) Opper, Brock Peterman, Jarrius Robertson, Wesley Smith, Stratton Ward, and Julian Lowe. The boys were accompanied by their parents and others, to include Cubmaster Herman Baker, Committee Chair Sarah Baker, CEO John Lewis, committee members Shanetra Robertson, Jarrod Robertson Sr. and Antonio Williams, WM.

Upon arrival at the park, Riceboro Mayor Chris Stacy, along with Council member Louise Brown, welcomed the group and expressed their sincere gratitude for this place to be chosen for the event. They encouraged the group to become familiar with the site by reading the information boards located in the parking lot area. Cubmaster Herman Baker discussed the following goal and objectives for the day’s scouting adventure.

The goal was to introduce outdoor adventures through hiking and to obtain knowledge based upon various encounters located along the trail. The pack invited other guests, friends, and community leaders to experience those things that nature has provided from a historical and natural perspective. Some of these experiences included a natural baptismal pool, nature trail, identifying trees and scrubs, and learning ways to preserve the natural environment and its habitats.

To accomplish the above goal, the Pack: 

1. Hiked the entire distance from the parking area to the water line. The breaks were determined based on the boys’ level of endurance.

2. Experienced firsthand how a baptism was performed during the 1800s.

3. Learned about the non-profit Keep Liberty Beautiful through posters, brochures, and an oral presentation.

4. Identified various types and kinds of trees located along the hiking trail.

5. Learned how to determine the height and age of trees.

6. Learned about forest fire safety and survival techniques.

7. Completed an evaluation to assess skills learned during the Scouts’ hiking experience.

The activity included the boardwalk with several designated sites such as the “Historical Baptism” along with a very lengthy path overlooking the swamp extended from the Riceboro Creek. With the activity scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m., it culminated at 11:45 a.m. with lunch served in the parking area. There was an evaluation sheet completed by the boys that assessed their knowledge pertaining to the various kinds of trees, ways to protect and preserve the forest, and determining the width, age and height of trees.

Resource agencies contributing to the field trip were McIntosh Seed, an affiliate of DS Smith Company (Phillip Rapillard), Keep Liberty Beautiful (Dr. Karen Bell), Miller Logging (David Miller) and District Forest Commissioner (Steve Campbell).