ADISON – Most teenage boys catch up on their sleep on weekends, but two Madison youth sacrificed free time to brave the elements for national training in Boy Scouts of America.

From Boy Scout Troop 204, Michael Cole and Chase Lynn earned a two-weekend badge for National Youth Leadership Training. “This program is an exciting, action-packed program designed to imbue today’s youth leaders with the skillsets to not only lead their troop but also become the leaders of tomorrow,” parent spokesperson Janet Lynn said.

Cole and Lynn devoted two four-day weekends in mountainous terrain of Camp Comer, a Boy Scouts of America scouting reservation in northeast Alabama near Scottsboro. Both boys are working to earn the Eagle Scout rank.

During both weekends, Cole and Lynn experienced weather extremes. The first weekend had below-freezing temperatures as low as 8 degrees. Torrential rain fell during the second weekend.

Cole and Lynn enjoyed the adventure, taking full advantage of their training, fellowship and exciting activities, Janet Lynn said. The boys drank plenty of hot chocolate and even dared a polar bear plunge on the final day of training to get their blood pumping.

Lynn, an eighth-grader, attends Liberty Middle School. Cole is a seventh-grader at St. John the Baptist Catholic School.

Cole enjoys scouting most because of outdoor activities. “I enjoy camping under the stars. I especially enjoy the water activities,” Cole said. His parents are David and Melanie Cole.

Cole plays trombone in St. John the Baptist Advanced Band and is a member of Student Government, Swim Team and National Honor Society.

Lynn likes “all of the activities I get to do with all of the boys — hiking, backpacking, canoeing, camping and swimming. It’s all great.” His parents are Stuart and Janet Lynn.

Lynn participates with Liberty Archery Team and National Honor Society. He is a soccer aficionado.

Greater Alabama Council of Boy Scouts of America hosted the training, which focuses on requirements for a leader to know, a leader’s personality and behavior traits and what a leader must do. During the training, Scouts can apply skills in the “Quest for the Meaning of Leadership” guidelines while in their patrol structures.

Madison United Methodist Church in downtown Madison sponsors the Troop 204. David Cole is Scout Master