Scout Troop 1425 Begins First High Adventure Trek in West Virginia

Bristol — On Friday, Troop 1425, a local all-female scouting group established in 2019 following the Boy Scouts of America's decision to admit female members, set out for their inaugural "High Adventure Trek" at the Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve in West Virginia. The group, composed of six scouts and four adult leaders, embarked on a four-day backpacking expedition through West Virginia's wilderness, complemented by half a day of white-water rafting on the New River and an afternoon of ziplining. Steve Vastola, whose daughter is part of Troop 1425, explained that the trek was part of a specialized program designed for older Scouts to encourage outdoor skills, teamwork, and self-reliance. The troop's preparation began in 2024 after Ella Schulitz, Connecticut's first female Eagle Scout, visited a troop meeting to share her experiences in backpacking and earning the Eagle rank, inspiring the group. Following a trial backpacking trip to gain experience, the troop officially decided to undertake the West Virginia adventure in December, with planning and skill-building sessions proceeding, along with fundraising activities like yard egging, where volunteers paid the troop to hi...