Wednesday
International Flag Ceremony - This week at camp, we have been fortunate to have a troop from
Paul Bunyan Lives! The scouts cooked a Dutch oven corn bread with M&M’s and marshmallows (interesting…), used a 2 man cross cut saw, moved a humungous log with a block and pulley, split wood, and made steaks and pounded them in the ground. Whew! Try to get to them to do that at home.
The Omache Triathlon—our own
Sharpshooters all! The troop tried their hand at rifle and archery during troop time. Half doing rifle and half doing archery. We had a few Dime Club and archery sharpshooters added to the camp list.
Dutch oven Dessert-o-rama! On Wednesday, the troop cooked our lunch and dinner in the campsite. After our wonderful meal of hamburgers, chips, watermelon and a vegetable Dutch oven concoction, the Scoutmasters along with their assistant scout took on rustling up some dessert. 9 amazing Dutch oven desserts were enjoyed by the troop and most of the camp staff who appeared magically once they were ready to eat.
Thursday
Canoe Swamp II – the boys liked it so much the first time they signed up for it again! We had about 10 boats out there vying to be the last one standing. Nobody went unscathed or dry! The two Geezer boats are licking their many bruised wounds but everyone had a great time in the water.
Fireman Chit - as a troop we worked on fire safety and fire-building techniques, earning a card to prove their knowledge.
There are lots of budding pyromaniacs in the group. Some of the older boys who already had this went to the shotgun range to take out some clay pigeons. Nearly all of them were able to hit at least one!
As a troop we went to the rifle range (most of us) and the archery range (some who did not want to shoot rifles). We have some amazingly accurate shooters in our troop!
But the real highlight of that troop time was the fact that the Japanese troop was also at the archery range with some of us and it ended up being an amazing time of international scouting diplomacy! Pictures a-plenty, exchanging of scarves, and whatever else they could find. It was a very special time and it was truly a privilege to watch the interaction. More on this later…
Scout-led campfire Thursday night. Troop 570 was well-represented in the lineup with a few skits and songs that received great reviews. The Japanese troop also performed a festival dance with color kimonos on, to the delight of us all!
Friday
This morning right before flags, Japanese Troop 3 presented Troop 570 with a ceremonial scouting kimono, signed by their entire troop and presented by their scout leader. A very special moment for us all. We have made some new friends this week and they wished to show their appreciation for that.
Wrapping up the merit badges classes in the morning heading into the last afternoon of “challenges”, Charlie’s Challenge to be specific. About 90 minutes of patrols going around the assembly area taking on small challenges laid out by the staff. Patrol flag, patrol yell, patrol spirit and patrol unity on display!
Tonight we will have the closing campfire and start turning our thoughts and preparations for heading home on Saturday morning. It has been an honor and privilege to be with your sons this week. Troop 570 represented themselves with distinction this week and made and impression upon the staff.
Your Troop 570 Geezer Blogging Crew
(More pictures up on the troop web site!)
August 5th, 2011 at 9:40 pm At what time Saturday can we expect our households to once again become a hotbed of energy? *Run for the hills!* *wink*
August 6th, 2011 at 8:56 am It is truly amazing all that the troop is accomplishing, and I am so impressed by the adult leadership that made it all possible. Thank you soooo much for doing this for the boys. These are memories they will cherish the rest of their lives, I am sure, and I cannot thank you enough for this!