A teenager’s spring break is typically a period of recess, usually lasting one week during the spring term at school, but for Boy Scout Troop 33 chartered to First Lutheran Church in DeKalb, it was another call to action.

Twelve Scouts and leaders from Troop 33, Boy Scouts of America, Three Fires Council traveled 1,300 miles on a second mission to help with hurricane relief efforts in Galveston Island, Texas. Their first relief effort mission to Galveston was conducted over their 2008 Christmas break.

A storm more than 420 miles across, Hurricane Ike was nicknamed the “silent storm” due to limited media coverage overshadowed by the Presidential election and economy. In September of 2008, it was recorded the third most devastating hurricane to make landfall in the United States.

Determined to live up to the Scout slogan of “Doing a Good Turn,” these boys between the ages of 13-17, set-up camp and slept overnight at a Galveston Church and worked under the direction of the Calvary for Christ relief agency. The Scouts paired up with a group of college students from Colorado State University and worked together on a variety of challenging projects.

The Scouts assisted with kitchen duties. Meals were prepared for volunteers and Scouts assisted in washing dishes and clean-up operations.

Numerous homes in Galveston need repair. The Scouts assisted in gutting part of the second-floor of a home which involved tearing out flooring and removing bathroom fixtures.

A historic three-story building in downtown Galveston built in 1917 was flooded with 14 feet of water from Hurricane Ike’s storm surge and a wind-damaged roof. Troop 33 removed large amounts of debris from the second-floor interior and along the sidewalk.

Jones Park, a historic park in Galveston suffered extensive flooding. The grounds, trees, benches and equipment suffered tremendous damage. Scouts replaced two of the benches and sanded park equipment in preparation for painting.

Scouts provided assistance to properties that had large amounts of remaining wet or damp debris for more than six months. They carefully removed the debris with wheelbarrows to areas where the city of Galveston could later pick it up. They also cleaned out and sanitized a garage. Adult leaders cleaned an older air conditioning unit at a church, removing and replacing a faulty electric motor drive purchased and donated through Troop 33 funds.

Back in December, Scouts had stripped the floors and walls in the final gutting process of a flood-damaged home. Since that time, new windows and siding were replaced and the electrical system was completely rewired. On this second mission, Scouts were determined to install drywall in this home and were met by the tear-filled homeowner overwhelmed by their return.

The Scouts felt working on her home was the greatest project they conducted in Galveston. It spanned their Christmas holiday and spring break mission trips and the homeowner is grateful for the major role these boys played in rehabilitating her home. Meeting the homeowner and working on her home took the enormous devastation of a major hurricane and brought it down to a very human scale.

“We are proud of these boys and leaders,” said Matthew Ackerman, President and Scout Executive of the Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America. “Their actions are a living example of the Scout Slogan, Do a Good Turn Daily and their deeds speak volumes of what Scouts can do.”

Troop 33 met and talked with hurricane victims throughout their stay. Some had lost everything. Day after day, crews of Scouts and college students worked together to meet the challenges brought before them. Each day their work began with the warmth of a hot sun and large amounts of debris, but they always found the energy and determination to complete their tasks.

At the end of the day, after all the hard work and effort, they were able to enjoy hanging out discussing the days efforts, watching movies, playing games and they even made their way to the beach.

Three Fires Council serves over 36,500 youth throughout DuPage, Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, and parts of Will and Cook counties. Our mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. For more information please visit www.threefirescouncil.org