Troop 16 Camps at US Coast Guard Training Center
US Coast Guard Training Center
Livingston Boy Scout Troop 16 camped and toured the US Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, N.J. This is the only USCG training facility in the United States, and at this location all Coast Guard recruits receive their basic training. The scouts had a guided tour of one of the 210 foot long USCG Cutters that was in port. They were also allowed to freely roam through a heavy weather rescue boat, which will self right its self when turned up- side down in very heavy seas. This boat is used to rescue survivors of sinking or badly damages ships at sea. The scouts also freely roamed through the high speed USCG anti-drug gun boat which is used to chase and capture illegal drug smugglers along the US coast. The guided tour of the base also included the Athletic Facility, Barracks, Boat Mechanic Shops, Rear Admiral’s House, and on-site Monuments.
The scouts and leaders then visited the Cape May Airport Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum. This was the site which served as an active dive-bomber squadron training facility from 1943 to 1945. The Aviation Museum now boasts over 19 aircraft displays as well as exhibits of military memorabilia, engines, photographs and more.
The scouts returned back to the USCG Training Center for dinner in the Enlisted Dining Facility. After a delicious dinner, the scouts set up their tents in a field along the sand dunes which separated the field from the ocean. The scouts gathered around their camp fire to remiss about their active day before turning in to sleep with the sounds of the ocean nearby.