While their flight doesn't leave until 1:55 p.m., when you live an hour and a half away from the airport (Salt Lake City), you have to leave early! Of course, there was still enough time for Joshua to get in a little time on the computer before we had to go. (Don't know who Joshua is going to miss more... us, Max, or his computer!)
All the scout families met up at Logan's First Presbyterian Church at 9:30 a.m. We of course were the last family to arrive! Too funny. Some wonderful soul had brought donuts and juice for the boys (honey glazed & apple juice - so there would be no last minute stains - good thinking).
Jim Johnston (Troop 1) did a last minute paperwork check to make sure the group was good to go. Everything was in order.
Tom Hogan (Troop 1 Scoutmaster) did a final check with the boys to make sure the boys weren't carrying any contraband items: pocket knives, scissors, c-4 (just kidding). I had to admit that I had just popped a sewing kit into Joshua's backpack, which contains scissors so small that they look like they belong to a mouse. Everyone agreed that Joshua would have to transfer them to his checked luggage at the airport. I hope he remembers!
The group then posed for a final photo, wearing their snazzy red berets. They all looked very nice. I think that they will represent the Boy Scouts very well during their travels.
Joshua and his buddy, Ryan Martin, posed for one last photo before getting in the car. Joshua and Ryan have become good friends outside of scouts. The boys have been paired together for the trip as official "buddies" and promised their respective moms that they will indeed look out for each other the whole time.
Ready for takeoff, the group then hopped into various vehicles for the drive down to Salt Lake City. (Being hesitant that that departure might be too emotional... I elected to be part of the "pick up" contingentcy group when they arrive back August 10th.)
The group (six boys & three adults) are flying from Salt Lake City to London, via Minneapolis. Their flight leaves UT at 1:55 p.m. and gets into London-Heathrow at 12:15 on Friday. That's a lot of time to be in en-route. Good thing we packed Joshua with enough snacks to feed the entire plane! Of course, knowing how my son eats... they could be eaten before they get out of UT.
Troop 1 - UK Exchange group consists of:
- Tom Hogan (Scoutmaster/Scout Parent)
- Randy Martin (Assistant Scoutmaster/Scout Parent)
- Nick Majors (Eagle Scout/Young Adult Leader)
- Andy Finlayson (Senior Patrol Leader)
- Dan Hogan (Assistant Patrol Leader)
- Joshua Whitney (Assistant Patrol Leader)
- Jim Lachmar (Scout)
- Jacob Hogan (Scout)
- Ryan Martin (Scout)
Here is their itinerary for the trip:
Flight KLM #5169 (Northwest Airlines)
-Salt Lake City, UT ... Minneapolis, MN ... London, UK
7-17-09
Arrive London @ 12:15 pm /Arrive Ashford @ 2:30 pm
- First US/UK Exchange event is "lawn bowling" with Ashford Scouts
7-18-09 to 7-19-09
Stay with Host Families
7-20-09 to 7-22-09
London
- Accomodations: Baden Powell House (a hostel for scouts from all over the world)
- Theatre event: "Wicked"
- Tour bus of London (one full day)
- Sightseeing attractions include: Parliment, Buckingham Palace, London Eye (ferris wheel), British Museum, Westminster Abbey, & American Embassy.
7-23-09 to 7-24-09
BrownSea Island
- Original Boy Scout Camp created by Lord Baden Powell in 1907. It is a 560 acre camp located in Poole Harbour (southern England).
- Visit Stonehenge on the way back to Ashford
7-25-09 to 7-26-09
Host Families
7-27-09
Dover
- Dover Castle
7-28-09
Brighton
- Seaside attractions
7-29-09
Canterbury
- Canterbury Cathedral
7-30-09 to 8-06-09
Kent International Scout Jamboree (KIJ)
- Tons of scouts from all over the world
8-07-09 to 8-09-09
Host Families
8-10-09
- Depart Ashford @ 10:30 am /Depart London @ 2:30 pm
- Arrive SLC @ 11:25 pm
