Community Voices: Scout Troop 26 Tour of High Hopes Becomes Lesson in Service

OLD LYME, CT – Lyme-Old Lyme Scout Troop 26 this month visited High Hopes Therapeutic Riding for a guided tour that became a lesson in service.

The Scouts were welcomed by High Hopes Operations Director Mike Fox and Executive Director Missy Saracino Lamont, who guided them through the barns, arena, outdoor spaces, trails and program areas while explaining the organization’s work.

Through therapeutic riding, horsemanship, carriage driving, and other equine-assisted programs, High Hopes supports children and adults with a wide range of physical, cognitive, emotional, sensory, developmental and social needs.

The Scouts learned how the program creates a safe and welcoming place for participants, families, volunteers, staff and horses. Inside the arena, they learned why the footing matters, including the special clay surface that supports both horses and riders. They saw the adaptive mounting area that helps participants safely get on and off horses. They also learned some memorable facts about daily horse care, including one that made a strong impression: a horse can poop more than 10 times a day.

The tour also showed the scale of the community behind High Hopes. The organization depends on more than 100 volunteers each week to support lessons, care for horses, maintain the property, and help programs run well.

Over the years, several Eagle Scout projects have taken place on the High Hopes property and trails. That connection will continue this fall, when Scout Troop 26 plans to return for volunteer days focused on trail improvements and other service needs around the property.

High Hopes and Scout Troop 26 are also planning to work together on the Horsemanship merit badge through which Scouts will learn about horse care, safety, handling, grooming, equipment, stable management and the responsibility that comes with working around animals.

The vist came as part of an active spring season for the troop. Later this month, members will take a 40-mile cycling trip while camping on Cape Cod.

For Scout Troop 26, the High Hopes tour was more than a field trip. It was a chance to better understand a local nonprofit doing important work in Old Lyme, to thank the people who opened their doors to the Scouts, and to begin a partnership that will give Scouts meaningful ways to serve close to home.

Families interested in learning more about Scout Troop 26 are welcome to visit a Wednesday night meeting at the Hamburg Firehouse. The troop is open to boys ages 11 to 18 and welcomes new Scouts who are interested in outdoor skills, camping, leadership, service, and adventure.

Find out more about Boy Scout Troop 26 on its Facebook page. To sign up, visit the Scouts’ registration site.

Adam Buckeridge is the chairman of Lyme-Old Lyme Scout Troop 26.