Submitted photo From left, Paige Cooley, 14, of Austintown; Lily Rich, 16, of Canfield; Audrey Gensburg, 14, of Weathersfield; and Gabriela Wilson, 16, of Youngstown, all members of Canfield Troop 8025, pose in front of the sign for the Summit Bechtel Reserve, where they recently attended the James C. Justice National Scout Camp.

Four members of Canfield Troop 8025 earned 23 merit badges during a weeklong session at the James C. Justice National Scout Camp as part of the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Participating were Paige Cooley, 14, of Austintown; Audrey Gensburg, 14, of Weathersfield; Lily Rich, 16, of Canfield; and Gabriela Wilson, 16, of Youngstown, who are part of a Scouting America all-girl troop.

Bret Gensburg, a Scout unit leader, said the four completed 520 merit badge requirements, resulting in 23 merit badges completed and one partially finished, in areas including archery, climbing, crime prevention, forestry, journalism, lifesaving, nature, programming, rifle and shotgun shooting, weather, welding and whitewater rafting.

They also earned several camp awards, including the Participation Award for completing a list of activities throughout the week, Sustainability Award for practicing outdoor ethics, Duty to God Award for learning the 12 points of the Scout Law, and the James C. Justice National Scout Camp Unit Merit Award and Honors Unit Award.

All four adult troop leaders earned the James C. Justice National Scout Camp Scoutmaster Merit Badge Award.

“We all earned a lot of merit badges while we were there, which helps us get closer to the Eagle Scout Award,” Lily said.

She said whitewater rafting was something she had never done before, and she learned to maneuver in fast-moving water.

Gabriela took part in the shooting sports for the first time, which included archery, rifle and shotgun, and said they were her favorite. She said she learned to face her fears over trying something new.

“I have shot a shotgun before, but this was my first time doing everything else. The others were new, but I was able to catch on quickly. Rifle shooting was a target standing still, but from further distance than archery,” Gabriela said.

She earned 99 points out of 100 for the shotgun competition and second place in archery. During the “Top Shot” competition, she took first place in youth rifle and youth bow / disc shooting. She was told that only one person had shot a 100 out of 100, and no one else was even close except her.

“I feel once I got my mind used to this it became a lot easier to shoot the target,” Gabriela said.

Troop 8025 also took first place in the adult rifle competition.

Audrey said she liked the three-quarter-mile big zipline that took participants over a lake and woods, and also took part in rock climbing, which earned her a merit badge.

“It was a nice experience to be in the mountains. It was my second time to go to this and the first time for the others,” she said.

The zipline reaches speeds of 50 mph and is one of the longest in North America, the Scouts said.

Audrey said she is proud of her Scout team completing the 23 merit badges.

“That is an insane amount of merit badges to be able to get done in one week,” she said.

Paige said, “My week at the summit was better than ever imagined. My adventures there were very memorable and I would love to go back. I recommend all to go even if they aren’t in Scouting because they offer a family camp program with a campground. Another thing is that there is a program for everybody and what they enjoy, and the staff who help with the programs love what they do so it is more enjoyable as a camper. Overall, I just can’t wait to go back.”

Scoutmaster Suzanne Heino of Canfield said the Scouts were able to conquer their fears and show their abilities to lead and work together.

“Scouting America is all about trusting yourself and exploring new things,” Heino said.

Bret Gensburg said the camp provides an opportunity for Scouts to take part in high adventure activities

“This is Scouting’s national flagship summer camp, allowing Scouts to experience all the traditional summer camp activities mixed with high-adventure opportunities. Scouts from all over the country come to this summer camp,” Gensburg said.

He said Canfield Troop 8025 conducted a metal scrap drive over the past year to help cover the cost of the trip to the James C. Justice National Scout Camp. On the way home, Gensburg said the group stopped at the New River Gorge Bridge, a national historic landmark, and the largest arch bridge.

Canfield Troop 8025 (girls) and Troop 9025 (boys) meet on Tuesdays at Canfield Presbyterian Church. Anyone aged 11-17 is welcome. For those younger, Cub Pack 9025 also meets at the church.