SUMMER CAMP 1995 REPORT

....…..it’s the program…TRADITIONAL SCOUTING …it’s the program…..

Well we did it !!!!! Troop 30 made it to and through its first ever summer camp. For the most part we are all in one piece. This final news letter is to summarize our week and ask for your feedback to help make next years camp even better.

Troop 30 took 19 of our scouts to camp, 14 of the boys were on their first long term camp experience. Two boys were in their second year and three in their third summer camp. As noted in prior " Updates " our goal was to provide a full schedule of activities to keep the boys involved, active and learning. We did expect the program to be a bit taxing for some, and experience has shown that with less hours filled the younger scouts have more time to develop some of the symptoms of home-sickness. This is most common after about three days, and we did have five of the first year scouts with some reaction Tuesday-Wednesday. On Tuesday we did reduce the programming to allow for more rest and shorter days. By Thursday the scouts were well into finishing their merit badge class projects and energy levels were again high. After the closing campfire on Friday the Adults brought in pizza from Payson and had a campsite party for the boys.

Physical difficulties were minimal, we did have one allergic reaction (horse hair), two boys with bloody noses (altitude/weather related), a fish hook bite and several scratches.

The big hits of the camp were the black powder range where the boys learned to load and shoot a musket, the archery range, horse back riding, the lake (for fishing), the handicraft lodge (that’s where they made the baskets and leather projects), and the Trading Post ( soda, ice-cream and the like). The least favorite things included: early AM Polar Bear Swim, the 6:30 AM breakfast (set by the camp), the shower house and environmental science merit badge class.

The early returns are in and the range of opinions from the boys is great. Several have doubts of a second trip to Geronimo, many are already talking about what they want to take next year and one brought back an application for camp staff noting that he wanted to spend nine weeks at camp next summer. The Troop will hold a post camp evaluation with the boys at the next Troop meeting, to improve on what we did this year.

Well what did the Troop accomplish ? As a unit we were well represented in a camp with over 500 scouts. In unit performance we earned the Big G Award with Silver recognition. There is only one higher award, the Big G Award with Gold recognition. (why didn’t we get the Gold ? One and only one reason—the rules state the unit must have full uniforms and our Troop does not require uniform pants). So while the scouts did everything they could do they were penalized for how they were dressed. The camp rule seems to differ from national B.S.A. policy that leaves the uniform specifics up to the unit to determine, as long as all boys are the same.

As individuals the scouts did very well !!!!

We had 19 scouts in camp.

4 Scouters (full time) Bob Bohanske, Mike Walla, Mark Courtney and Lola Courtney.

3 Scouters (part time) Dan Pierce, Chuck Stevens, Karl Brandenburger.

The boys attempted 89 merit badges and completed 67 an average of three per boy, with 10 more partial completions which could be finished in the next few weeks (with minimal work). That would bring the total to 77 !!!!!

Five scouts earned 5 merit badges, and four scouts earned four merit badges, six scouts earned 3 merit badges, and four earned 2 merit badges. Great Job !!!!!

Additional Recognitions:

I Did it all at Camp Geronimo 19 Scouts n/a Scouters

Tenderfoot Run 19 Scouts 0 Scouters

Polar Bear Club 19 Scouts 3 Scouters

Totin’ Chip 18 Scouts n/a Scouters

Young’s Nature Trail 19 Scouts 3 Scouters

Eagle Eye Trail 18 Scouts 5 Scouters

Turkey Springs Trail 17 Scouts 4 Scouters

Hawk Eye Trail 13 Scouts 4 Scouters

Bob Bohanske

Troop Committee Member

Summer Camp Coordinator