For many years, the image of a Boy Scouts assisting a person to cross the street has been a symbol of their willingness and preparedness to help others. But even Boy Scouts need help once in a while.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority received information that 75 Boy Scouts and 25 advisors from Troop 497 of Maryland were in Kent and were stuck with no place to sleep after their camping plans fell through, according to a fire department media release. The troop traveled here to see some of the sights of the greater Puget Sound area.
Battalion Chief Kevin Garling heard about the problem and quickly found the perfect solution for Boy Scouts. Since locating a hotel for that many people would be difficult on short notice, he instead found a place for them to literally pitch their tents – at the city’s Van Doren’s Landing Park, 21901 Russell Road.
With the cooperation of the city of Kent, who agreed to a one-night stay because of the unusual circumstances, the fully self-contained Troop 497 camped at the park for one night. They planned on hitting some tourist spots on Wednesday and relocating to a church in the Seattle area for an overnight stay.
The Boy Scouts told fire officials they were very grateful for the quick thinking and work of the Kent Fire Department RFA and the city of Kent.
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