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SUMMER CAMP 1998 REPORT
…..it’s the program……it’s the program……it’s the program…..
The Troop now has it's fourth summer camp under it's belt and we can chalk up another success. The Scouts all did well ( the first year campers did very well), and the Scouters all report that a fun time was had. As Scout Troops go we are a very young Troop but as summer camp programs go we are far in advance of most Troops. This year our trip to camp was without significant difficulty. We had one mechanical problem with a truck on the road into camp that delayed us only a short time. The Troop traveled well and the Scouts were well behaved. Once at camp we set up a great campsite and were off and into the Lost Valley program. The camp is located in a valley mostly flat yet with some up hill grades. As the camp is large many of the activities were a 10-15 minute walk so most should be in a bit better shape. Our days started early 5:15am with wake up and the hike to the swimming pool. This early am hike was rewarded with a dip in the very comfortable pool water that quickly turned to cold when the fire hose was used to add a little spice to our early morning adventure. After the week was done and the cool water hose shut down 10 of the scouts and eight Scouters had finished the Lost Valley Polar Bear swim (you had to attend all days to receive the patch). Several others did accomplish one or two days and then thought better of our early am activity. The Scouts participated in a variety of program and just good OLE fun activities during the day. This resulted in many Scouts earning progress toward rank in the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ( Trail to First Class ) program. The Troop earned 93 merit badges in eighteen areas, (the most ever at a Troop 30 summer camp). Every Scout earned at least one merit badge, and several earned six or more. The merit badges were earned in a variety of program areas: Archeology 9 Astronomy 2 Canoeing 9 Camping 2 Geology 2 Lifesaving 9 Rowing 5 Pottery 15 Woodcarving 2 Rifle Shooting 6 Shotgun Shooting 6 Mammal Study 13 Soil and Water Conservation 1 Environmental Science 1 Leatherwork 2 Climbing 1 Weather 4Horsemanship 2 Forestry 2 Four Scouts completed the mile Swim award, congratulations to Michael B, Zack H, Stewart S and Todd S.Two Scouts, Jayson T and Santino D, were presented with the Lost Valley Homesteader Award in recognition of "…character that best exemplifies the true spirit of Scouting as chosen by their peers". But that’s not all the Troop did. We attended two campfires, the first put on by the staff of Lost Valley and the second put on by the Troops in camp. Well mostly by our Troop. Troop 30 provided the campfire master of ceremonies, a skit by our adults, and three skits by our Scouts, a Flag Retirement ceremony, and our traditional campfire ash ceremony. The Troop also served as Color Guard at camp assembly ( twice), served as dining hall food servers ( twice ) and had each of our three patrols earn the " Eagle Feather Award " for outstanding patrol activity. We also attended a camp wide carnival and stage show on Friday night, where the Scouts participated in a variety of fun games and events. Yet this is not all Troop 30 did...... Eight Scouts attended and earned their Totin' Chip award for the safe use of knife and ax and 21 Scouts and 6 Scouters earned the Tenderfoot Run Award. ( a loop around Lost Valley) Needless to say the Troop was active, active in all parts of the Lost Valley program and active enough to earn the GALAXY AWARD for outstanding Troop. Saturday came very fast and it was time to leave camp. Our trip home was without difficulty but as you might expect we had some tired Scouts and Scouters. We could not have the outstanding Troop summer camp program without the help of those Scouters and parents who support our efforts. It is not only those who spend a week in camp with the Troop but those who help pack and send off their son to yet another Troop 30 adventure. Special thanks to Deb Harmon who provided each Scout with a hand made Turks Head neckerchief slide to go with the traditional Troop 30 summer camp neckerchief, Toni Erman who was the at home contact to monitor the Troops progress, Dave Walvick who coordinated the medical, consent and Troop medical book and van rental, Deb Thompson who assumed the responsibility of class "B" uniforms and accounting for the trip. A special thanks to those adults ( Scouters ) who took from their family vacation time to spend a week at Scout camp and assure that the boys had a fun and quality experience:
John Parr, Giz Perrez, Dave Walvick, Mike Salley, Mike Gionett, Mary Tackitt, Charlie Presti, Jim Russell, Dave Haxton, Rick Erman. Yes !!!!! plans are in the works for next years adventure to Camp Alexander out side of Lake George, Colorado. The development of the Troop Web site is now at the point where next year you will be able to connect to the Troop on line and see your Scout in action with pictures and descriptions of the Troops daily activities. troop30.com Bob Bohanske, Summer Camp Coordinator _________________________________________ Pictures From Lost Valley Boy Scout Camp
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