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A claustrophobic person would have had a difficult time exploring the Lost Sea (Cave's) Wild Cave Tour in Tennessee.
However, last month a group of Boy Scouts from Rutherford and Polk counties experienced the Wild Cave Tour with scoutmasters and assistants.
Unfortunately for the general public, the Wild Cave Tour at the Lost Sea is not accessible, but for Scout troops and others eligible to tour, the Wild Cave proved to be challenging and exciting.
Ryan Smith of Troop 129 in Spindale said, "(I) Almost got stuck in a few places in the cave, but managed to crawl on through tight places."
He was among the 13 Scouts from Troop 129 Spindale, Troop 132 Rutherfordton and Troop 150 Tryon and seven adult leaders, who took the adventure to Oakridge, Sweetwater and Sevierville, Tennessee in January.
They crawled and camped overnight in the Wild Cave, studied about the Nuclear Science merit badge at the Nuclear Science Center in the "Secret City of Oakridge" where the Atomic Bomb was developed in World War II. They also visited the Boy Scout of America's Buck Toms camp where they also camped overnight on their journey.
Boy Scout Josiah Beam, also from Troop 129, said the cave was bigger than he ever imagined.
"The stalagmites were huge and we had to be careful not to touch them," he said.
"It was eight degrees when we crawled out of the Cave on Monday morning," said Spindale Troop 129 Scout leader Terry Henderson. There was plenty of snow, sleet and snow covered mountains in Tennessee for the three day weekend. Fortunately for everyone, inside the cave the temperature was 58 degrees with everyone bundled up in their winter clothing for the night of camping.
Jeremiah Early from Troop 129 said the Nuclear Science merit badge at the American Museum of Science and Energy was fun as it was taught by "real" scientists in the Nuclear Science field. "They taught us about the secret city of Oakridge, Tennessee and how it played a big part in developing the Atomic Bomb in WWII."
Henderson, who organized the winter trip, agreed with Jeremiah. "These scientists were so knowledgeable about the Atomic Bomb and its history...they aren't tour guides. They are nuclear scientists."
"The static electricity demonstration in the science center was really cool and it made our hair stand straight up. The scientist explained how it works," added Scout Koda Braswell.
Henderson and the others wanted the Scouts to experience a new adventure the Wild Cave tour provided.
"It was such a great trip. We got to see the largest cave lake in the eastern United States," said Henderson.
Scouts raised most of the money needed for the trip by selling Rutherford County Boy Scout Discount Cards. (The sale of the cards will begin at the end of February through April 2025 and will allow another group of scouts to have such adventures).
Henderson encourages young boys and men to become interested in scouting and to become leaders.
"The numbers dropped significantly during Covid,
but we aren't going anywhere. We're still here and we want to encourage more scouting," Henderson said.
Although all the leaders who took the Scouts to Tennessee no longer have sons in the scouting ages, "We enjoy taking these Scouts...we want to give back to society and we enjoy watching these young men grow to be leaders," said Henderson.
Henderson has been a troop leader 27 years and is passionate about his role.
He added, as with any other programs, "It's hard to recruit adult volunteers" and he encourages others to become scout leaders.
For more information about scouting in Rutherford County, contact Henderson at 828-429-3251.
Making the Wild Cave Tour in Tennessee were:
Troop 129 scouts: Ryan Smith, CJ Synder, Mason Yelton, Max Wingfield, Ashton Griffin, Leo White, Koda Braswell, Hunter Hudson, Josiah Beam and
Jeremiah Early. Adult leaders: Terry Henderson Scoutmaster; Kevin Goettge Assistant Scoutmaster and Jeremy Hicks Assistant Scoutmaster.
Troop132: Rutherfordton scouts: Eli Manchin, Owen Hankins. Adult leaders: Jim Hutchins Scoutmaster and Jordan Manchin Assistant Scoutmaster.
Troop 150 Tryon scouts: Brandon Higgins. Adult leaders: Doug Lyons Assistant Scoutmaster and Carl Pleasants Scoutmaster.
