A Boy Scouts of America spokesman, Deron Smith, said the organization was "shocked and disappointed" over the behavior of two Utah Boy Scout leaders who deliberately pushed over a boulder at Goblin Valley State Park, famous for its ancient mushroom-shaped sandstone formations.
The Boy Scouts deplored the "reprehensible behavior," noting their commitment to conservation and "leave no trace" policy,
according to CBS News.
Scout leader Glenn Taylor, accompanying a group of teenage boys on an outing, pushed the rock. He acknowledged that a video shot by fellow Scout leader Dave Hall gave the impression they were engaging in vandalism "destroying stuff."
The video went viral over the weekend. Hall said the cheering that is heard was because "it was a huge adrenaline rush seeing a boulder the size of a car being pushed over by one man. It's like fireworks going off. It was like a spontaneous, 'Wow, I can't believe that just happened.'"
Taylor and Hall believed the rock was unstable and posed a danger to scouts and other park visitors. The men say they regret the way they handled the situation. "There's a better way to treat the outdoors," Taylor said.
Hall acknowledged they should not have taken matters in their own hands and should have reported the dangerous situation to Park authorities.
After the video went viral, Taylor said he received death threats from around the world. Utah State authorities are considering filing criminal charges in the case.
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