High winds and stormy seas couldn’t dampen the spirits of 15 scouts from Jacksonville’s Troop 35 last month, when the teens traveled to the Florida Keys to participate in High Adventure Sea Base.
Accompanied by five adult chaperones, the teens drove to Islamorada, where they stayed overnight at Sea Base before driving to Key West and boarding the Jolly II Rover, a square-rigged topsail schooner.
“The plan was to sail and live aboard the ship for five nights,” said Brad Wilson, who accompanied his sons, Jonas and Henry, on the trip. “The first two days and first night were lovely with good weather – then the storms rolled in.”
Soon, snorkeling and fishing turned to pulling down the sails and seeking shelter as rain and wind gusts exceeding 34 knots battered the Jolly II Rover.
Despite the inclement weather, the scouts had an opportunity to learn how to sail, catch and cook fish and view stingrays, barracuda, tarpon, puffer fish and other sea life while snorkeling. The group also had time to do some sightseeing in Key West.
To be eligible to participate in High Adventure Sea Base, scouts need to be 14 or older, have earned the rank of First Class, pass a swimming test and be medically cleared. Participating Troop 35 scouts included: Akash Gusani, Sidney Moore, Sam Rabil, Matthew Dickson, Carsten Bahr, Ben Hopkins, Dawson Dunkin, Joe Barry, Parker Stein, Henry Wilson, Jonas Wilson, Jackson Black, Cameron Ritchie, Scott Stein and Gavin Ley.
