This troop is always Scouting ahead to the next adventure

The members of Boy Scout Troop 375 have at least three choices to make this summer.

To go canoeing through Minnesota and Canada, whitewater rafting in West Virginia or sailing in the Bahamas?

The group of about 85 members ages 11 to 17, plus 26 adult leaders, meets every week, including summer, at Old Donation Episcopal Church.

But they don't just meet, they thrive on getting active.

"We do a lot of great trips," said Scout Christopher Heron, 10, of Kempsville.

With the help of the annual Boy Scout popcorn sale to offset costs, some members will attend Virginia Scout camps: Camp Lions at Pipsico Scout Reservation in Surry county or Camp Shenandoah near Staunton.

Others will travel out of state to adventure camps operated by the Boy Scouts of America.

Assistant Scoutmaster Bill McAtee, will lead a group to The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, departing on Aug. 4 for six days of sailing in the Bahamas with a crew of eight.

"I've never sailed. That's part of the adventure," said McAtee, a Larkspur resident and Army retiree.

"It's a chance for them to learn seamanship," he added.

Scout Kevin Kelly, 17, who participated in the troop's Appalachian Trail backpacking trip during spring break, signed up for the excursion.

"I wanted to try something new," said the Haygood resident.

Another group, led by troop camping committee chair, John Moss, will head to the Northern Tier National High Adventure Base in the remote area of Ely, Minn., for a 140-mile canoe trip into Canada.

Moss said the experience the July 22 through Aug. 1 will teach the Scouts the importance of teamwork. And they will become proficient at portaging - carrying canoes and gear over obstacles and through shallow waters -he said.

"Even when you're tired, you put one foot in front of another" Moss said. "It shows how much they really can do."

Cari Rand, 14, a student at Cox High, is part of the group heading south.

"The troop does really cool things," said Cari's mother, Brenda Rand. "They camp out once a month, locally and take wonderful trips."

The Chesapeake Beach resident applauded Scoutmaster A.J. Vasta, the troop's leader of 27 years.

"He's wonderful and teaches the boys to be responsible and have fun," Brenda Rand said.

Vasta, an Ocean Lakes resident, is a 1983 graduate of Princess Anne High School and former Troop 375 member.

"It was rewarding when I did it and it is rewarding to see others do it," Vasta said.

Assistant Scoutmaster Matthew Lee, 36, belonged to the troop as a youth.

"There's always something that excites you, never a dull moment," said the father of two daughters, ages 3 and 9.

Jake Michaud's parents drive him to the meetings each week from his home on the Norfolk Naval Base.

Jake, 12, said he likes the troop because "they're active and actually do stuff and not just sit around and talk."

Troop advancement chairman Dana Kelly attributed the troop's success to "the variety of quality programs offered."

In mid-August, another group will head to West Virginia for a three days of white-water rafting.

The summer of 2007 featured a 50-mile Shenandoah River canoe trip. In 2006, it was 10 days of hiking in Philmont, N.M.

"This summer promises to be the biggest and busiest in troop history," said Vasta.

Boy Scout Troop 375 meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Old Donation Episcopal Church, 4449 N. Witchduck Road. For more information, call Scoutmaster A.J. Vasta at 635-0511 or visit online at www.troop375.com

Cindy Butler Focke, butler496@aol.com