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Second Annual Encampment Takes Place In Philadelphia

By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hundreds of boy scouts are gathering in North Philadelphia for a weekend full of inner-city camping and activities.

The second annual Philadelphia Encampment is underway this weekend at Lighthouse Field.

"This is the second scouting camping event that is taking place in the city of Philadelphia in the last 30 years,"
says event co-chairperson Ryan Murphy.

He says they have a packed roster of activities scheduled for the kids, including archery, pioneering, first aid, outdoor skills, rock climbing and team building.

Some activities will take place off the field.

"We're also partnering with St. Christopher's Hospital across the street for first aid and emergency preparedness awareness," Murphy says, "and we're also sending a contingent of scouts down to the National Constitution Center to learn about the roots of Philadelphia."

Murphy says he hopes the younger scouts will love this weekend's events so much, that they'll choose to continue with the Boy Scouts in High School.

"It taught me responsibility," Murphy says, "leadership skills."

He says about 700 people are expected to participate throughout the weekend ranging from ages seven to 21.

"This is really a first event of its scope that I know of in the nation, Murphy says, "and we're trying to pave the way for more cities across the country to promote inner-city scouting and boost scouting numbers."

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