On Valentine’s Day weekend, Scouts BSA Troop 148 became the first scouting group ever to tour Kapowsin Quarry and King Creek Pit.
Safety and Geology 101
In pursuit of the Mining in Society merit badge, Troop 148 began their tour in the Quality Control Lab with a safety briefing. Each troop member received their very own hard hat and instructions to keep troop members safe throughout the tour.
The Scouting America website explains that the Mining in Society merit badge “covers the history of mining, explores the status of mining in the 21st century, and introduces Scouts to modern mining careers.”
Quality Control Lab manager Ryan Hogg hosted the scouts and gave a short overview of local geology, different jobs at the mine site, and the purpose of the Quality Control Lab, which is located next to the scalehouse at King Creek Pit.
Ryan has been leading tours for over 15 years. “I enjoy seeing the kids get excited—about the equipment or the rocks or the stickers we give them,” Ryan said.
The troop looked at gemstones and agates, and Ryan showed which minerals occur naturally at the pit and quarry. The group took a close look at crystal formations under a microscope. They even got a detailed look at a mosquito preserved in amber.
King Creek Pit & Kapowsin Quarry Tour
After learning the basics of geology at the Quality Control Lab, the mine tour began at the back of King Creek Pit where raw earth is being mined. Ryan pointed out the different sediment layers and how each layer is used. The troop followed the 3,500-foot conveyor belt line to the primary processing plant and learned about the sorting, crushing, washing, and drying process. They also learned about how King Creek Pit recyles water and plants three trees for every one logged.
At Kapowsin Quarry, the troop started at the rock face near the top of the quarry where future blasts will occur. Ryan taught the group about the geological differences between King Creek Pit and Kapowsin Quarry. Then the group traveled to the basement of the quarry and learned about the processing equipment.
Finally, the group returned to the Quality Control Lab to break open geodes.
Tours are an important way to teach kids and adults alike what mining looks like and where mined materials are used, Ryan explained.
“It’s good for people to see things firsthand,” Ryan said. “All the things you see—the brick buildings, the roads, the concrete, the sidewalk, the asphalt—it’s all made out of the earth. And it all comes from mines.”
Washington Rock Quarries is a family-owned business that produces rock, sand, and soil products at Kapowsin Quarry and King Creek Pit in Orting, Washington. Learn more about our community involvement on Our Community webpage.