In Utah County, a lively gathering of boys aged 11 to 14 from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was buzzing with excitement.
They met at a park pavilion in Highland, sharing jokes, laughter, and even some silly rhymes that had everyone in splits.
Among them were Reid Freeman, Daymion Wood, Tanner Knighton, Wyatt Brouwer, Spencer Eaves, Owen Rawlins, Blaine Robertson, Thomas Eaves, Spencer Brown, Max Roos, and Aaron Brouwer.
Their recent camping trip in the High Uintas Wilderness was the hot topic of discussion.
It wasn’t just about fun; they also delved into personal growth, service, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Brown put it, “We had devotionals about being like one heart and one mind.”
Their camping adventure took an unexpected turn on the last day.
A concerned father and son approached their camp, having sought help from other campsites too.
Spencer Eaves recalled the father’s plea, “My dog is injured. Can you guys help us?”
The family’s dog, Otis, had injured his paws during their 4.25-mile hike to Island Lake.
Now, Otis was unable to make the journey back.
Brown remembered his first glimpse of Otis, noting, “It was a big dog.”
The boys were immediately moved to help, with Wyatt pondering, “How can just these two people carry this big dog down?”
Their solution?
With the guidance of an adult, they fashioned a makeshift stretcher using two logs, a tarp, and zip ties.
Initially, Otis was nervous and clearly in pain.
But as the boys began their over 4-mile descent, the dog settled down.
The journey wasn’t easy.
Jeff Eaves, the father of two of the boys and the group’s adviser, described the challenges they faced.
From navigating steep, rocky terrains with heavy backpacks and the added weight of Otis to overcoming obstacles like fallen logs, the boys had their work cut out for them.
Their determination was unwavering.
Even when they ran out of water, they used filters to collect more from a stream.
Some boys who had moved ahead returned to assist in carrying Otis.
Wyatt reflected on his thoughts during the ordeal, “What was going through my mind? I got to do this. These people are in need.”
Jeff Eaves was immensely proud of the boys’ resilience and teamwork.
“They didn’t stop. They just kept going,” he remarked.
“They never complained. They worked as a team, and it was just awesome.”
Their efforts culminated in a triumphant return to the trailhead, with everyone eager to refuel and rest.
Roos summed up the group’s sentiment, “We got down, I’m like, ‘Yes, we’re done! We can go get more food!’”
The experience was transformative for the boys, forging stronger bonds among them.
Roos felt a deep sense of fulfillment, saying, “You just feel really good inside.”
Jeff Eaves expressed his pride, “When the call for help came, I was so proud of these boys that they were willing to just jump in. They didn’t hesitate.”
The boys echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of service and perseverance.
The story ends on a positive note, with Otis’ owner revealing that the dog is on the mend.
He expressed his profound gratitude to the boys for their selfless act.
The owner had been taking this annual father-son trip with Otis for several years without any hitches, making this incident all the more unexpected.
Watch the video below to see the heroic boys in action.
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