Aside from looking out for the health and well-being for the local residents of Ohio, Boy Scout Troop 121 from Mansfield, have been accepted to go to the Philmont Scout Ranch in the summer of 2012. The troop contingent consists of 15 scouts and 8 adults.  The trip will consist of riding the Amtrak train to New Mexico followed by 10 days of backpacking through the 137,000 acre mountainous terrain. 

The life skills these young men experience on the trail will be invaluable throughout the rest of their lives.  They will learn the importance of teamwork, self-reliance, and perseverance.  As an adult they will be able to draw on these experiences when times are tough and will be able to continue when others give up.

The scouts have been working hard to raise money for the trip, as it will cost about $2,000 per scout.  The scouts realize this is a huge burden for their family so they have been earning money by picking up trash at the race track, parking cars at the fairgrounds, holding bake sales, and various other fund raising events.  The scouts have also decided to host this unique 5K race to help raise money.  It is with your help that the scouts can fulfill a lifetime accomplishment that not many boys get a chance to realize.