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Boy Scouts get unique history lesson on the Battle of Gettysburg

This year marks the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. It was an integral part of the Civil War and this weekend, more than 3,000 boy scouts and the...

This year marks the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. It was an integral part of the Civil War and this weekend, more than 3,000 boy scouts and their parents are getting a personal history lesson. An encampment has been set up to bring the Civil War to life for the local scouts. They’re learning and living the Battle of Gettysburg, that was fought on the land back in 1863.

“It’s great because it’s the 150th Anniversary and you get a chance to see the battle in a way that you may not be able to see with just visiting by yourself,” says Tom Czaus, whose son is a scout with Pack 43.

The scouts and many parents are camping at Spangler Farm, which was one of the largest battlefield hospitals. They’re also experiencing what life was like during the battle for both civilians and soldiers.

“They went out a took a look at what happened during Pickett’s Charge and they learned a little about the Gettysburg Address and Soldier’s National Cemetery, so they’re getting a bit of exposure to everything here,” says Ron Gardner, Executive Director, New Birth of Freedom Council, Boy Scouts of America.

The boys are lucky to be here. Demand was so great, that when the Boy Scouts opened registration for this event, it sold out in less than 30 minutes.

Tommy Czaus, a scout with Pack 43 says, “It’s pretty big, there was what, 3,000 people here? Yeah. So, it’s kinda cramped too, there’s a lot of tents here and not a lot much space to walk.”

Despite the cramped quarters, the memories made here will last a lifetime.

“I think that’s the best part, to be able to share that with my son Tommy & all his other friends and to see the interaction between all the other scouts,” Tom Czaus says.

Boy Scout leaders say the weekend log event was made possible with the help of the Gettysburg National Military Park and The Gettysburg Foundation.

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