2023 Mystery Trip Recap and Photos

This past weekend we held our annual Mystery Trip. For the uninformed, this is an annual tradition where the adults fully plan an adventure for the Scouts and keep the details secret as long as possible. This year, we did an overnight at the Denver Aquarium followed by a short visit to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Our evening began at the Aquarium with the boys learning all about Oceanography – specifically, they learned enough to earn their Oceanography Merit Badge, provided they complete Requirement #8 on their own. Specifically:

8. Do ONE of the following:
   a. Write a 500-word report on a book about oceanography
   approved by your counselor.
   
   b. Visit one of the following:
   (1) Oceanographic research ship
   (2) Oceanographic institute, marine laboratory,
   or marine aquarium
   Write a 500-word report about your visit.
   
   c. Explain to your troop in a five-minute prepared speech
   “Why Oceanography Is Important” or describe “Career
   Opportunities in Oceanography.” (Before making your
   speech, show your speech outline to your counselor
   for approval.)

I’ve highlighted the easiest option above, since we all visited an Oceanographic institute. So get those reports written and bring them to one of the adults who were on the trip for final approval of your merit badge! We have the blue cards for each attendee already filled out!

After our class time, we got to explore the exhibits at the aquarium while completing a scavenger hunt. Then, we each got to feed shrimp to the sting rays. Some Scouts tried to donate more than just a shrimp…hopefully Alexander still has his right arm intact. Most Scouts learned that string rays enjoy splashing water out of their exhibit!

We returned to the classroom for a little cracker barrel-style snack before we were led up to our sleeping area – literally surrounded by sharks! Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “sleeping with the fishes.” Lights went out at 11pm.

We woke up bright and early at 6:15am Saturday and quickly packed up our gear before we were escorted to the restaurant for our hot breakfast of eggs, bacon, tater tots, biscuit and OJ/Milk. After breakfast we were whisked behind the scenes in 2 groups. We got to see the tops of all the main exhibit tanks, where the divers enter them to keep the tanks clean and the fish fed, learning unique facts about how it all works. We also made a quick stop to the food preparation area where we saw them dicing up anchovies to put on the pizzas being made for the local inhabitants.

We then congregated at the bottom of the stairs where the keepers brought out a not-so-common Red Tagu named Pepperoni. He came from Florida where he’s considered an invasive species – likely was dumped in the Everglades by a pet owner who no longer wanted him. They tried to fee him for us with all sorts of foods – eggs, meat, mice…however he only seemed to be interested in excreting his previous meal; what a show!

After that special presentation, we grabbed our gear and then drove across downtown to our next location, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Due to some extra St. Paddy’s Parade traffic, it took a little extra time to get there so our time was limited to just about an hour and a half of free roaming of the museum – some Scouts tried to find hidden Elves, others explored Gems, Minerals, and other exhibits, while some took in the views of the city from the sky terrace. Some even did all three! We then met for a thrilling planetarium show where very few of us were able to stay awake to hear the answer to the question of “where can we possibly live in our solar system?” Those who did stay awake confirmed that is, in fact, Earth. Phew. Good to know. It was a very comfortable $5 nap.

After that, we headed back to the vehicles, reassigned some passengers and gear from a car that had to hit a sporting event and made our way back home. It was a lot of activity for a short time, but most Scouts seemed to have a good time.

The attendees:

Zack B. (Trip SPL)
Michael S.
Jacob B.
Nash W.
Caleb N.
Aidan S.
Alexander R.
Liam H.
Davis M.
Bryson R.
Cooper P.
Nik F.
Bjorn B.
Jaxon K.
Jackson D.
Vince P.
Andrew N.
Ben T.
Dalton M.
Lex S.

And as always, a big shout out and thank you to our Adults and drivers:
Mr. Bielkiewicz (Trip SMiC)
Mrs. Ross
Mrs. Mackey
Mr. Rinehart

Initial photos are located at https://www.bsatroop640.com/photos/ and if you need the password, email .