LOCAL YOUTHS ATTEND WINTERFEST EXPLORER CONFERENCE IN GATLINBURG; UCSD and SCVFD EXPLORERS ATTEND THIS YEAR’S EVENT

February 4-6, 2011, two local youth explorer groups from Union County attended the National 2011 Explorer Competition and Conference that is held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee each year.  Groups from over 12 states attended the event.

According to the Boy Scouts of America, which is the group that sponsors the co-ed youth exploring program for young adults between the ages of 14 and 21, there were around 3,200 participants at this year’s conference, which has been recorded as the largest group yet, since the event has taken place back in the 1970’s.

This year the Union County Sheriff’s Department Explorer Post #790 attended and competed in the law enforcement portion of the program, and the Sharps Chapel Fire Department Explorer Post #510 attended and participated in the fire service events.

According to Chris Upton, who is an adult advisor for both groups, they did very well this year. 

Upton said the Sharps Chapel Fire Explorers brought back a 3^rd place plaque in the Haz-Mat Awareness competition and did very good in the other events.  Upton said when you place in the top 3 spots out of 65 or more teams, that is something to be proud of. 

Upton said the Sheriff’s Explorers did good in their events also, but did not bring home any awards this year. 

The Explorer groups participate in the Winterfest event each year, as well as several other competitions in different areas throughout the year.