Cold waters greeted Boy Scouts from Troop No. 609 on Jan. 26.

Scouts check their gear before diving into the chilly waters of Elliot Bay off Seattle's Alki Point. (Photo contributed)

Submerging up to 60 feet underwater, 20 of the 39 troop members completed their final dive off Alki Beach for their Professional Association of Diver Instructors certification for scuba diving and their Boy Scout merit badge.

“I’ve been scuba diving before in Maui and it was one of the most fun experiences of my life,” said Scout Sean Fite, 14, who goes to Eastside Catholic High School. “This opportunity came up and I thought I should take it to get my full certification.”

“It was cold,” said Scout Will Dodeward, 15, who goes to Mount Si High School. “I know 46 degrees doesn’t sound cold, but it’s cold.”

These boys seem to be the first ones in the nation to complete the required courses and training for the new Boy Scout merit badge added this year by the national offices, said parent volunteer Judy Co. The troop is the first to place an order for the merit badge, but there is no national database to confirm it for sure, she added.

Troop 609 is one of the largest troops in the area, with members ranging in age from 11-18 and attending schools in Issaquah, North Bend, Sammamish and Renton.

Beneath the water’s surface — once the shock of the cold water wore off — the boys saw a world full of marine diversity.

“We saw rat fish, artist crab, red rock crabs, sea slugs and feather coral,” Sean said.

The boys said they also found other interesting things, like toilets, water bottles and plates from Salty’s Restaurant, which weren’t altogether great for the environment, but provided new shelter for marine life.  

Before the boys could enter the frigid water of Puget Sound, they spent weeks training in a pool, learning about regulators, dive gauges and safety with Seattle Scuba Schools.

“We had to practice removing our masks and clearing and putting them back on under water,” Sean said. “That was the scary part. You kind of panicked, but it’s good to know.”

The boys didn’t just take the classes to claim bragging rights, Scout Master David Marsh said. Seven of the boys are in the process of training for an upcoming diving adventure to Florida.

In August, the boys and five parent volunteers are headed to The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base.

Sea Base — as it’s commonly referred to by the boys — is a High Adventure camp that offers unique educational aquatic programs, according to its Web site. The Boy Scouts’ High Adventure camps are often longer in duration and allow boys in-depth learning opportunities about a single subject, like aquatic environments or mountainous regions.

“Scuba diving is a really cool experience and it is a great skill to have,” said Scout Andrew Marsh, 15, a freshman at the Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus.

Sea Base is owned and operated by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It is based in the Florida Keys, with many smaller base destinations the boys will travel to by ship, like Islamorada, Summerland Key Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island and the Bahamas. 

There, the boys will find crystal-clear waters to explore marine life in the offshore coral reefs.

“I really want to see octopus and tropical fish,” said Scout Nick Co, a Pacific Cascade student. “Something more eye pleasing.”

During the adventure, the boys will put their new scuba skills to use and learn to sail the 57-foot schooner they will live on.

During the trip, they’ll complete 15 dives, including three night dives.

The boys will learn about corals and reef ecosystems, as well as reef conservation and methods being used to help preserve them, Marsh said.

They will also have the opportunity to earn additional Professional Association of Diver Instructors certifications.

“This is something he is really interested in doing,” said Will’s mother, Angela Dodeward. “It is a great learning experience.”

But more than that, their Scout master hopes it’s a new skill, like many Boy Scouting skills, that the boys will take with them throughout their lives.

“Anything active these guys are involved in that gets them outside and away from the screen is a good thing,” Marsh said. “We really try to encourage them to push themselves and try new things, like hiking, climbing mountains and scuba diving. These are all things they can do for a lifetime and Boy Scouts encourages that.”

Chantelle Lusebrink: 392-6434, ext. 241, or clusebrink@isspress.com.

Reach reporter Michael Bayless Rowe at mrowe@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434.

Mount Si seniors Brittany Hakes and Annie England gave their arms a good workout by ringing bells for the Salvation Army Dec. 10. The two Key Club members are helping the Kiwanis Club, Boy Scouts and Snoqualmie Valley Community ring in funds for people in need.

Cub Scouts Christopher Ostrem and Creed Carlson rin the bell for the Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis at the North Bend QFC.

The bells and red collection buckets are strategically placed at QFC and Safeway in North Bend and the Fall City Market and Deli. Anyone can ring them and anyone can donate. 

“I’m very happy to be helping out the community,” England said. “Once, I saw somebody slip two $100 bills in there.”

Harold Erland, secretary of the Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis Club and an agent of the Salvation Army, said the aid organization helps people everywhere.

“They’re a hands-on kind of charity,” Erland said. “When you have things like Hurricane Katrina, they were on-site in less than 24 hours.”

He enjoys collecting funds for them because “what we raise stays in the Valley.”

Erland gave several examples of people benefiting from the Salvation Army locally. 

If people can’t afford to pay Puget Sound Energy, the Salvation Army will refer them to the PSE Warm Home Fund so they don’t freeze at night.

If homeless people, especially single mothers and their children, seek temporary housing, the Salvation Army will foot their motel bill until a better place is found.

Another time, a local woman simultaneously lost her house and her job and began living in her car. The Salvation Army paid for her gas to drive to Boise, Idaho so she could set up a new life with her sister who lived there. 

In another instance, a woman who was driving to a hospital in Seattle found herself stranded in the Snoqualmie Valley after her car tire went flat. The Salvation Army arranged for Les Schwab to replace the tire and pay for half of the bill. The Salvation Army paid for the other half. 

Snoqualmie Police Public Information Officer Becky Munson also works with the Salvation Army. If she learns of someone in need, she often connects the person with the charity. 

“Normally, what I do is give gas and food vouchers,” Munson said. “The last few months there have been a lot of requests for rent. My funds are limited here, but I can give funds for $100.”

Erland urged people to donate, saying that the Snoqualmie Valley area usually uses more Salvation Army money than it raises.

“This season, it’s time when we need to open our heart and our pocketbooks and help people,” he said.

The Campfire girls and Cub Scouts are also ringing bells for the Salvation Army.

“I think it’s important that the kids learn about giving to others and doing community service,” Campfire leader Christa Ostrem said.

The bell ringers get something out of it, too.

“It’s nice saying hi to everybody and welcoming them into the store,” England said. “It’s nice to see the holiday spirit and how much people are willing to give.”

Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.