Sarah Lawson

Staff assist a rider on the zip line, one of many activities in the Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience, known as COPE, at Camp Geiger.

A group of British Boy Scouts tasted American scouting this week at Camp Geiger northwest of St. Joseph.

“I definitely wanted to do something American, so I might try some tomahawk throwing,” said Joe Reade, 15.

Knives, rifles and shotguns aren’t allowed in the British Scouting Association.

The closest the boys come to shooting in Britain is an air rifle, said David Walker, one of three adult leaders with their group of scouts. Most of the British boys signed up to shoot shotguns and rifles, Mr. Walker said.

“There were a lot of people carrying dangerous knives about,” said George Salt, 14. “But the shotgun shooting was easier than I thought it would be.”

Thursday, the boys participated in the camp’s Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience program, known as COPE.

“It challenges you in every way possible,” Mr. Reade said. “But I didn’t expect the humidity and mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are massive.”

The Brits had to climb a 35-foot ladder, which wasn’t simple. The ladder rungs are spaced further apart the higher you climb. Struggling to the top, they grabbed hold of straps and took a leap of faith gliding 100-plus feet across a valley in a matter of seconds. Camp Geiger staff caught each rider and assisted in unbuckling from this ride, known as the zip line.

At noon, it was chow hall time and another cultural change.

“The foods are nice but different,” Mr. Reade said.

Burritos and cheesy eggs were two items he’d never eaten. What surprised them were the size of the portions and the number of servings.

A difference that surprised local Scouts was the English accent. They mobbed the Brits.

“It’s quite good to be the center of attention,” said Matt Rimmington, 15.

The British boys were first-time campers at Geiger who impressed their American counterparts. Thursday night, all 10 boys were chosen by America comrades to become braves in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, the Scout honor society at Camp Geiger.

There is one difference between the British and American programs. The British allow girls to join the troops. Kristi Millar, 16, was the other British Scout who came with the 10 boys. Because there are no girls at Camp Geiger, she participated in a special program traveling in the area.

Next week, the Scouts visit host families and then travel to San Francisco. This exchange program started back in 1985 when Dr. Jim Trout took a group of Scouts to Great Britain. Two and a half years later, the British started traveling to St. Joseph.

Marshall White can be reached

at marshall@npgco.com.