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CBS/ February 11, 2009, 2:26 PM

Boy Scouts' Dramatic Rescue From Flood

The Boy Scout motto "be prepared" took on a new meaning for a group of Boy Scouts who barely survived a flashflood while hiking in a remote part of the Grand Canyon last weekend.

The six Scouts and three adult Scout leaders, from Maplewood, N.J., were in the middle of a two week trip when they woke up to find themselves surrounded by rushing water near Havasu Falls, not far from Grand Canyon National Park.

After two days and eight inches of heavy rain, a manmade earthen dam broke, sending water miles downstream to where the Scouts were holed up.

A Blackhawk helicopter eventually flew them to safety, but not before members of the local Native American Havasupai tribe came to their rescue, helping them scale a cliff to escape the danger.

From the air, the group had a chance to see the raging waters than almost engulfed them.

On The Early Show Friday, the Scout leaders and the boys told co-anchor Harry Smith about their harrowing adventure.

One Scout said he was so scared he was "getting ready to pee in my pants!" Another said, "The water just kept rising and rising."

One leader told Smith, "Our preparation made the difference. You're never ready for something like this, but, when it was time to get packed, they were packed in like seven minutes."

Still, much of their expensive camping equipment was lost -- surely a small price to pay.
Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved.
13 Comments Add a Comment
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Circey says:
I can't believe that such a heroic story is used to promote hatred. These are not future soldiers (necessarily), or bigots, they are young men who stayed relatively calm in a harrowing situation and were rescued by the efforts of heroic people both Native American and non (no one mentioned the race of the helicopter pilot). Kudos to all involved and shame on those who would use this situation to promote hatred against race, creed or color.
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libsluv2spit says:
think you meant, "future bigots of America," didn''''t you?

Posted by Voltaire777 at 12:50 AM : Aug 23, 2008
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*********

Why is that?? these kids are being trained to be independent and brave.
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gsjsmom says:
Disaster relief info - http://www.az211.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1135
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gsjsmom says:
Kudos to the real heroes who rescued the children. Here''s a link to learn more about them.
http://www.havasupaitribe.com/aboutus.html
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libsluv2spit says:
Whenever I feel like it... That`s the best part of atheism... there`s no punishment for abandoning the "tenets" for an hour, or so.

Gee... it''''s so neat to see God punishing Boy Scouts... he, excuse me, He got some with a tornado a little while ago.

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive at 08:06 PM : Aug 22, 2008
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******

hey at least you being honest and show your true nature..*ding* opps there goes god''s timer..100thousand more liberal atheist getting aids..
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libsluv2spit says:
God was punishing them for banning ***.

Regards,


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Posted by Nancy_Naive at 07:41 PM : Aug 22, 2008
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***************

and since when did you start believing in god?
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libsluv2spit says:
There''''s no connection between the Boy Scouts and our military....grab a clue in life dude.


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Posted by shanev137 at 06:39 PM : Aug 22, 2008
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**************

there is a connection..."discipline, self-reliance, and bravery"
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deacon20081 says:
This was an experience the boys will never forget. In years to come they will re-tell the story to friends and perhaps future scouts they will one day teach.
As a Scout Master I have great admiration for the Indians who themselves repelled the cliffs to get to them and take them out, makes me proud to be an Indian.
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shanev137 says:
Posted by yongamerica at 03:59 PM : Aug 22, 2008

There''s no connection between the Boy Scouts and our military....grab a clue in life dude.
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yongamerica says:
Way to go future soldiers of America
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