Troop 10 of Great Neck had a fun and educational visit to the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in New Jersey on Feb 13, 2016. The industrial complex that was once the Sterling Hill zinc mine is now open to public as a museum. The guided tour started with brief mining history of the region and geological background, followed-by a treasure hunt within a wide variety of beautiful mineral collections. Scouts also learned how to identify real gold from 'fool's gold'. Next was a walking tour through the 1,300-ft underground Sterling Hill mine. Numerous pieces of actual equipment were displayed throughout the passage. Visitors saw the lamp room, the shaft station, mine galleries dating to the 1830's, the "glow-in-the-dark" fluorescent “Rainbow Tunnel,” and a sight-and-sound blasting demonstration. After braving the cold, Scouts completed the day in the Rock Discovery Center where the group learned about the uses of various rock types that are quarried in the region, and then collected specimens of 6 rock types to bring home. Scouts also had a chance to earn the Geology and Mining in Society Merit Badge.
Families interested in joining Boys Scouts Troop 10 are invited to email djrosenstein@gmail.com.
