This summer, three Ball State University professors traded in their gradebooks for binoculars.
They took 10 boys, ages 13 to 17, from the Muncie Boy Scout Troop 22 on a week-long trip to Michigan's Isle Royale National Park, which is only accessible by boat or seaplane.
Assistant scoutmaster and telecommunications instructor Tim Underhill lead the trip, along with Paul Buis, computer science department chair and Tony Mahon, exercise science department chair.Having been involved with the Boy Scouts for at least 10 years, Underhill first became an adult leader while he was a student at Ball State. Then, he said, he became more involved for "selfish" reasons.
"I wanted a good place for my son to learn leadership skills," he said. "Now, I love helping youth. It's a terrific program and helps boys become men."
For Buis and Mahon, the motives were similar."I wanted a good program for my kids," Buis said.While Mahon is a parent and not an official leader for the troop, he used the trip as a way to spend time with his son.
"My son loves to go hiking and camping," he said. "I've always been supportive, but this was a chance to experience it with him."
Each summer, Troop 22 takes a "High Adventure" trip. Planning for the trip began last summer, but the itinerary underwent extensive alterations.
During the three-hour boat ride to the island, the troop experienced three- to five-foot waves and rough conditions. Underhill even admitted to getting a little sick, earning the nickname Captain Green Gills.
Once they reached the island, they broke into two groups.
"We spent our time hiking, camping, eating and sleeping," Mahon said. "Some of the boys went fishing and we were hiking five to eight hours most days. We really got to see a lot of the island."
During their time exploring the island, wildlife sightings accounted for some of the trip's highlights.
"I've been going to the North Country for years, but this was the first time I've seen a moose," Buis said.Abe Underhill, a seventh-year Boy Scout, said he saw a bald eagle.
For Abe Underhill, this trip was more of a review, since he has gone on many outdoor adventures before. However, since some of his friends visited the island previously, he was still very excited for the trip.
Toward the end of the trip, a looming storm forced the troop to pack up their campsite and hit the road early. However, in spite of the weather problems, they were still able to make stops in Mackinaw City, Mich., to get Cornish pasties, and in L'Anse, Mich., to taste sweet rolls that weighed more than one pound.
The adults said they learned their stamina wasn't the same as it once was, but that didn't stop them from having a good time.
"I'd go back and do it again," Mahon said.
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