Boy Scouts Travel to Steamtown NHS to Complete Merit Badge Program

Date: May 18, 2016

SCRANTON, Pa. – The Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA), will rally more than 250 scouts at Steamtown National Historic Site on Saturday, May 21, to work, learn and accomplish their goal of achieving the Railroading Merit Badge. The group will ride the Armed Forces Day Parade train from Tobyhanna that day with their Troop Leaders and trained Steamtown NHS BSA Merit Badge Counselors.The event is part of the regional scout council's "Iron Horse Encounter" Spring Camporee weekend at Tobyhanna State Park, scheduled May 20-22. More information about the Scout's Spring Camporee and related activities is available at http://www.nepabsa.org/activities/567-council-spring-camporee.

The public is encouraged to ride this special train from Tobyhanna to Scranton to help honor and salute our nation's military at Scranton's "Armed Forces Day" parade in Central City. The train departs Tobyhanna Station at 9:30 a.m., and departs Steamtown's Boarding Platform for the return trip at 3:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Tickets for this special excursion on May 21 are available ONLY through the One Stop Shop at Tobyhanna Army Depot.Phone [phone] for pricing and more information.

Steamtown NHS preserves and interprets the legacy of steam-era railroading.The site occupies about 40 acres of the Scranton railroad yard of the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, one of the earliest rail lines in northeastern Pennsylvania. At the heart of the park is the large collection of standard-gauge steam locomotives and freight and passenger cars. The Museum Complex consists of a Visitor Center with exhibits on the development of the Scranton Yards, a History Museum, Roundhouse and Technology Museum. The site also features a 250-seat Surround-Sound Theater that screens the 20-minute park film, "Steel and Steam" throughout the day.

Located in downtown Scranton, Pa., Steamtown NHS is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. From I-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then, follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna and Cliff Avenues (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning [phone] during regular business hours, or by visiting the park website anytime at www.nps.gov/stea.

www.nps.gov

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