Boy Scouts Hope To Earn Patch For Enduring Deep Freeze
NORTHFIELD, Minn. (WCCO) -- A group of Northfield Boy Scouts wants the deep freeze to stick around. Troop 313 is trying to earn a very special award, but they can only get the recognition if the temperature dips below zero.
When you grow up in Minnesota, you quickly learn the art of making the perfect snow fort. It's an important skill for Nicholas Kelley, who not only plans to play in his fort, but sleep in it too.
"We're going to sleep in there for pretty much 24 hours ... or 12 hours," said Nicholas.
Nicholas is among the 12 members of Boy Scout Troop 313 who are going for the Zero Hero Award.
"The award is really important. It's special, because not many people get it," said Michael Gasior who has earned his Zero Hero Patch.
The patch can only be earned by spending a night in sub-zero temperatures.
"It just feels like normal weather if you have the right equipment," said Michael Kopp, who's going for his Zero Hero Patch.
For 24 hours, indoors is pretty much off limits.
"People think you're nuts, but it's a lot of fun," said Mark Olson, the Troop leader.
"You can't stop moving. You got to keep walking around so you're body keeps generating your heat," said Kopp.
Whether they know it or not, the boys are also learning a lesson Minnesota kids sometimes forget.
"It's about showing the youth that they can do things and you don't have to sit in front of the TV all winter long and play video games. You can enjoy the winter," said Olson.
Temperatures Saturday night are expected to dip to 14 degrees below zero.
