When Troop 199 from Denver, Colorado, began planning a trip to Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly, they were thoughtful enough to invite our troop to join them. After several months of finalizing logistics and obtaining sponsorships, all the pieces fell into place.
Scoutmasters Echohawk Lefthand and Shelby Lee led Troop 928 on this weekend adventure. After arriving at Canyon de Chelly on a Friday evening, the boys set up camp and played tag until the scouts from Denver got there. Once Troop 199 arrived after a long drive from Colorado, the boys got to know each other with a round of games.
When the Denver troop surprised the Red Mesa scouts with gifts from the Colorado Rockies, everyone was grinning ear to ear and the boys were very appreciative. In return, Troop 928 shared some of their Native traditions and everyone enjoyed an authentic Navajo lamb stew and grilled mutton with frybread.
After a beautiful sunrise on Saturday morning, the scouts made a filling breakfast of pancakes and sausage and served the adult leaders, stable staff and guides. Then, each scout and leader was assigned a horse and given a safety helmet donated by Eve’s Fund.
The scouts rode into the canyon for miles, through creeks and past ruins, everyone enjoying the breathtaking scenery. After reenergizing with a quick lunch, the group continued to Antelope Ruins. Here, the boys got a chance to rest and enjoy some flute playing by a local vendor. Hearing the flute music echo through the canyon walls was relaxing for the entire group. Back at camp that evening, the hosts from Tso Horse Ranch prepared a Navajo taco dinner for everyone to enjoy. After the meal, the scouts enjoyed hearing stories around the campfire.
On Sunday morning, the group had breakfast and rode out of the canyon. Before heading their separate ways, the boys exchanged camping gear as a sign of their new friendships.
“Thank you Eve’s Fund for letting us be a part of a fun weekend with another troop,” said Derric Lameman, patrol leader for Troop 928. “Besides the awesome horseback riding we did, we also made new friends with the other troop. We played fun games with them and told them stories about our tradition. We also had them try new foods and showed them the beautiful canyon.”
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