THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996 TAG: 9610010138
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Kathryn Darling
LENGTH: 68 lines
To survive the Korean conflict, Hansel ``Doc'' Price, a Navy medic assigned to a Marine infantry detachment, relied on skills he learned as a Boy Scout in a Norfolk Scout troop.
When the Marines were camping in the fields, he was with them.
Whenever they were in battle, he was tending to their newly wounded on the front lines.
The conditions were tough, he said. But he was prepared.
Scouting had taught Price outdoor survival skills, and it was that training that helped him survive the experience in Korea, he said.
``Dealing with the outdoors was not foreign to me,'' he said. ``Scouting had a lot to do with why I'm still here.''
Scouting had taught him how to put up a tent, how to live in it and how to adapt to changing and harsh weather conditions.
For the last 35 years, Price has been a Scout leader and has been teaching boys those same outdoor skills.
Since 1970, he has been Scout master of Troop 15, which now meets at Lafayette Presbyterian Church.
In their weekly meetings, the Scouts learn knot tying, cooking, camping and hiking basics, how to follow a map and use a compass and survival skills. The Scouts get to apply those skills in a weekend camping trip the troop takes each month.
The Scouts also learn civic and community duties like recycling, conservation and helping charities. The Scouts manage a recycling area for bottles, plastic and paper at Lafayette Presbyterian Church; plant tree seedlings for the Virginia State Forestry Service, and collect food and clothing for charities, Price said.
Name: Hansel M. Price.
Nickname: Doc.
What brought you to Norfolk? My dad was stationed here in World War II and brought the family up to join him after the war ended.
Birthplace: Hickory, N.C.
Birthdate: Dec. 16, 1935.
Occupation: Retired from the U.S. Naval Reserves as a medical technician after 20 years. I was also a youth program director for the Lafayette Community Association.
Marital status: Single - married to youth work.
Children: All my boys in Scouting.
Last book read: ``One Hundred and One Famous Poems.''
Favorite movie: John Wayne movies - any of them.
Favorite magazine: Scouting.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? I can't think of anyone in the world I would rather be.
Biggest accomplishment: The programs I created for the Lafayette Shores youth program.
Most embarrassing moment: Too many to count.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My stubborn streak.
Perfect way to spend the day: Camping and working with kids.
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii.
Pet peeve: People who don't recycle.
First job: Stock boy at Roses 5 and 10.
Worst job: Any routine, repetitious chore.
Hobbies: Hiking and camping.
Favorite restaurant: Ships Cabin.
What do you like most about Norfolk? The people. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP by CNB