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| The Scorpion
Patrol at the Coon Creek Science Center |
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 Tiger, Daniel, Austin
and Tim at the Galaxy Signpost |
Within the
grounds of Coon Creek Science Center, located in
rural McNairy County, Tennessee, lies one of the
most important fossil sites in North America.
Acquired by the Memphis Museum System in 1988,
this property contains a treasure lode of
superbly preserved Upper Cretaceous marine shells
and vertebrate remains left there 70 million
years ago when the water of the Gulf of Mexico
receded. The Scorpion Patrol joined the Webelos of Pack 334 for a fun-packed evening of Astronomy and day of Archaeology and Geology over the Memorial Day weekend in 1998. |
| After
checking in and setting up our bunks in the
cabin, it was off to the Science Center for
dinner and a lecture on Astronomy. We not only
learned to identify certain prevalent
constellations, but how to use them as road maps
to locate and identify specific stars and star
clusters. After learning about the types of telescopes and the different types celestial objects (star clusters, nebulae, novas, pulsars, black holes, etc.) we were off to the field for stellar observations. The science center had two telescopes set up for viewing and we observed several different types of objects. Being a typical Tennessee evening, the humidity prevented clear views, but it was much clearer than in the suburbs of Memphis. After several hours of star-gazing, it was back to the kitchens for a bedtime snack, and then to the cabins for a round of bunk-football. The evening temperature dropped to a very comfortable level, and we all had a great night's sleep. |
| After a great
breakfast of pancakes, bacon (for some - WDL
Richard and his son Chris are Vegans), juice,
milk and coffee (for the adults), it was back to
lectures about the Coon Creek Area. 70 million years ago, Coon Creek was a Gulf Coast beach front resort for the dinosaurs of the Cretaceous Era. Several months ago, during Member's Day, they unearthed a prehistoric shark-like dinosaur of about 70 feet in length, and it was just an adolescent! Its mouth was big enough to swallow Jaws whole. |
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After the lectures, it
was off to the creek for fossil hunting. As you can see, the adults we as involved as the scouts! |
| The fossils we found,
mostly small aquatic shells, were caked in mud
and had to be cleaned and preserved. After receiving training and a hands-on demonstration by the science center staff, Tiger and Chris demonstrate their proficiency. |
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A tradition at the Coon Creek Science
Center is for each overnight group to make a
plaque that hangs in the rafters in the science
hall. Since we were sharing the experience with the Thunder Moose Patrol of Pack 334, we divided the plaque in half, and each of the scouts contributed to its composition. |
A Special "Thank You" to the staff of the Science Center. They went out of their way to make this a special event for the scouts. Thanks to all of the parents who provided transportation and positive leadership during our two-day adventure. This was our last major event of the school year, and we went out with a BANG! A Very Special Thanks to WDL Ms. Allen of Pack 334, who initiated the trip and invited the Scorpion Patrol to share in the experience. |
