Aug. 22, 2008

Boy Scouts' Dramatic Rescue From Flood

Local Native Americans Help Group Scale Cliff To Get Away From Rushing Waters In Grand Canyon

  • Play CBS Video Video Canyon Scouts Saved From Flood

    A New Jersey Boy Scout troop was rescued by Native Americans in the Grand Canyon during flash flooding, then the National Guard picked them up in a helicopter. Harry Smith reports.

    • The waters the scouts escaped

      The waters the scouts escaped  (CBS)

    • The scouts and their leaders on <i><b>The Early Show</i></b> Friday with <h>Harry Smith</b>

      The scouts and their leaders on The Early Show Friday with Harry Smith  (CBS)

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(CBS)  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 MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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by Circey April 24, 2009 8:55 AM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by libsluv2spit August 24, 2008 1:39 AM EDT
think you meant, "future bigots of America," didn''''t you?

Posted by Voltaire777 at 12:50 AM : Aug 23, 2008
+ report abuse

*********

Why is that?? these kids are being trained to be independent and brave.
Reply to this comment
by gsjsmom August 23, 2008 8:55 AM EDT
Disaster relief info - http://www.az211.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1135
Reply to this comment
by gsjsmom August 23, 2008 8:40 AM EDT
Kudos to the real heroes who rescued the children. Here''s a link to learn more about them.
http://www.havasupaitribe.com/aboutus.html
Reply to this comment
by libsluv2spit August 23, 2008 12:28 AM EDT
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
+ report abuse

******

hey at least you being honest and show your true nature..*ding* opps there goes god''s timer..100thousand more liberal atheist getting aids..
Reply to this comment
by libsluv2spit August 22, 2008 11:00 PM EDT
God was punishing them for banning ***.

Regards,


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Posted by Nancy_Naive at 07:41 PM : Aug 22, 2008
+ report abuse

***************

and since when did you start believing in god?
Reply to this comment
by libsluv2spit August 22, 2008 10:36 PM EDT
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
+ report abuse
**************

there is a connection..."discipline, self-reliance, and bravery"
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by deacon20081 August 22, 2008 9:48 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by shanev137 August 22, 2008 9:39 PM EDT
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.
Reply to this comment
by yongamerica August 22, 2008 6:59 PM EDT
Way to go future soldiers of America
Reply to this comment
by flreason August 22, 2008 6:58 PM EDT
Certainly the scouts are to be commended for keeping their heads, but the ones who deserve the most praise are the Havasupai tribe members who risked their own lives to guide these scouts up the cliffs. The scouts undoubtedly owe their lives to them, as their leader acknowledged.
Reply to this comment
by hwy71so August 22, 2008 5:52 PM EDT
Way to go boys. You did good.
Reply to this comment
by libsluv2spit August 22, 2008 5:34 PM EDT
Good work scouts..the future of america..

if we can only have more POSITIVE influence on our youth today...we would not have too many whinney..too dependent citizens..
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