By S'iva Goodman

Staff writer

STUART - A trip into the wilderness, miles away from the nearest road, with nothing but the supplies on your back, sounds like a Boy Scout's dream.

For one local troop, their trip into the woods of Minnesota ended up a real-life test in survival.

At the Martin County board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3, scouts and leaders from Boy Scout Troop 888 were recognized by commissioners with a Commendation of Heroism.

Eight scouts, Cody Feldman, Steve Feldman, Justin Fischer, Sean Foster, Clayton Landry, Kevin Peavler, Nathan Peavler and Devin Smith, and five leaders from the troop, Matthew Carothers, David Christman, David Fischer, Steven Feldman and Nancy Peavler, were excited to enjoy their weeklong excursion in the woods of northern Minnesota in late July.

But, on the second day of their camping trip, assistant scout master Christman suffered compound spiral fractures to both his tibia and fibula of his right leg after falling over a rock.

Immediately, the scouts and their leaders, Scoutmaster Carothers, Assistant Scoutmaster Fischer and Life Scout Steven Feldman, put their survival skills into action.

As the scouts calmed Mr. Christman, Mr. Fischer created a makeshift splint for his leg, made from two boat oars, an inflatable air mattress and rope to stabilize the injury. The only medication they had for his pain was ibuprofen, of which he took five.

"Mr. Christman remained calm throughout the whole episode," said Linda Killian, a scout mother whose son, Devin, was on the trip. "He said he didn't want to ruin the outing for he rest f the scouts. It just goes to show how brave he is, because that particular injury can be one of the most painful."

Since the scouts were so far away from civilization, there was no access to phone or radios and help was at least a day's hike away.

As soon as the sun came up, Mr. Carothers and Mr. Feldman canoed out of the site on a search for help, with a compass and a topographical map to lead the way.

The two men ended up hiking along an abandoned trail for five hours before reaching a road that eventually led to a canoe outfitter, who fed and watered the hikers.

"It just so happens there were enormous fires burning in Minnesota at that time and an off-duty seaplane was waiting on the lake by the outfitter," Mrs. Killian said. "The pilot heard the men's story and offered to fly to the lake they were camping on."

The seaplane pilot flew in, picked Mr. Christman up and transported him to a hospital in Duluth.

When other leaders discussed shortening the trip, Mr. Christman was adamant the troops finish their adventure.

"You will not take these boys back just because I broke my leg," Mr. Christman said. "These boys will finish their vacation."

Commissioner Lee Weberman said he was not surprised by the scouts' display of heroism.

"That's what you expect of Boy Scouts," he said last week. "They are already established young leaders."

Each of the scouts and leaders, who were on the excursion, received plaques and recognition at the Oct. 3 meeting.

Mr. Christman is in recovery, with a rod in his leg, but Mrs. Killian said he is expected to make a full recovery.

"The leaders are amazing men and the boys are very lucky to have them."