Press Releases

Volunteers from the USS BOONE and USS MASON lend a hand to the Scout Association of The Bahamas

December 12, 2007

Two U.S. Naval ships, the USS Mason and the USS Boone, visited Nassau December 7-11.  While in port, about twenty volunteers from both ships participated in a massive clean-up effort at the Bahamas Scout Association’s recreational site in Adelaide Village on Saturday, December 8.  The volunteers removed debris along the nature trails and the obstacle course route.  The 30-acre property of the Camp Site of the Scout Association was donated by the Bahamas Government in 1926.  The association uses the land to give Scouts access to natural habit and nature trails where they can participate in hiking, obstacle course training, and camping. 

Commander Newman Evans, Commanding Officer on the USS Boone, said that the volunteers from both ships were pleased to lend their support to the Scout Association.  He indicated that many of the volunteers were former Scouts who realized the importance of young boys having an outlet to engage in positive recreational activities in the community.

Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association, Brian Christie, expressed gratitude for the assistance, noting that he discussed U.S. Embassy assistance to the Scout Association during the Embassy’s 8^th Annual International Education Week activities.  At that time, Mr. Christie emphasized the need for assistance with the construction of an obstacle course at the site.  Mr. Christie said that the long term goal is to construct a site that the Scouts can use on a continual basis.  He also foresaw that such a site could be used to promote eco-tourism and could attract scouting associations from around the world to The Bahamas. 

The ships, based in Florida, visited The Bahamas for training of their crews and for rest and relaxation.  The USS Mason and USS Boone are both currently engaged in counter-drug missions throughout the region.

Photo shows from left: Lieutenant Commander Delong Bonner, U.S. Navy Liaison Officer; Richmond Smith, Campsite Commissioner, Scouts Association; Newman Evans, Commanding Officer, USS Boone; Brian Christie, Chief Commissioner, Scouts Association and Coolidge Cartwright, Treasurer, Scouts Association.