Elder L. Aldin Porter encouraged nearly 5,000 Scouts here to enjoy their opportunities to discover their strengths through conquering outdoor challenges.
In an effort to ensure ample space and water for a summer camping experience for young men from central, southern and eastern Utah, the Utah National Parks Council, Boy Scouts of America, conducted the "Gorge-Us Getaway." The event was at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and the surrounding Ashley National Forest Aug. 8-11.Elder Porter, a member of the Seventy and president of the Utah South Area, was one of several prominent leaders who addressed the boys at an evening program Aug. 9.
Other visitors included U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch and Olympic steeplechaser Henry Marsh, both members of the Church, and Julian Dyke, national director of BSA public affairs.
"We have never had the luxury of so much water and space," said Harold "Hal" Miller of the Slate Canyon 6th Ward, Provo Utah Stake, who served as general camp chairman. "It was a magnificent setting for this important event in the lives of these young people."
He said camp organizers wanted to provide youth in the council a "once-in-a-lifetime" camping experience, while working within the new Church budget guidelines to keep costs to a minimum for boys and their leaders.
Before the encampment, 160 volunteers from the Hobble Creek District in Springville, Utah, spent several days at the site erecting rope bridges, pole structures, a tent village, a field hospital, boat docks and a stage. All facilities were inspected prior to use, according to Miller.
Highlights of the encampment were the service projects performed in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. Thousands of hours of donated labor by the Scouts helped remove several acres of musk thistle, clear a trail at Little Hole, pick up litter and renovate the historic Sweat Ranch.
Another activity for the young men included an Explorer road rally, which originated in Provo and took Explorers and their leaders through Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef national parks before ending at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Young men also went scuba diving, windsurfing and rappelling. They went on a zip line, climbed poles, enjoyed water games and sports and participated in a full complement of skill and challenge courses.
