The Scouts all did very well and yes, the Scouters did well too.

Our trip to camp was without difficulty. We arrived in a Holbrook park on time for lunch. We had a bit of motion sickness but no major difficulties. Following a good rest and a bit of play we were off to New Mexico and Kirtland Air Force Base.

The Troop traveled as planned the first day, yet despite the long hours in the vans the Scouts were well behaved. We arrived at Kirtland AFB and were oriented to the Athletic Complex (West Gym) our home for the night. The Scouts unpacked and changed into their "Class A" uniforms for dinner. After dinner there was time to tour a dozen aircraft on display across from our "Gym" as well as play a little basket and volleyball. The next morning we awoke to a quick pack up, breakfast on the Base then the Troop hit the road for our drive North. The Troop had lunch at Raton (just South of the Colorado border) in a park that was hosting the local Little League playoffs. Then back on the road over the Raton Pass and into a wet and stormy Colorado. We arrived at the USAF Academy on time and quickly set up camp. The Scouters (adults) set to work on dinner for 90+ and the Scouts set tents and unpacked gear. We visited a B-52 on display at the entrance to our campsite and got in a little play before bed. The next AM we were up early and off to breakfast. Following a bit of a wait as "flights" of pre-cadets marched into chow, we enjoyed a good sit-down meal. After breakfast a group of experienced Scouts assaulted the Falcon trail (a 15 mile hike) while the bulk of the Troop toured the Academy Visitors Center and grounds. After lunch we struck camp, packed and hit the road for Peaceful Valley.

Once at camp we set up our campsites and were off and into the program. The camp is located on a large Scout Ranch (2600 acres) that hosts three other camp programs. It is a mix of old and new with a huge Aquatics Center that just opened in this their 40^th year of operation. The dining hall was old (traditional) filled with the memories and memorabilia of 40+ years of scouting. (and a large bottom level with adult shower rooms, a big hit with those in camp).

Our days started early 5:30am with wake up and "Polar Penguin" followed quickly with breakfast and program activities that started sharply at 8:00AM

The Scouts participated in a variety of programs and just good OLE fun activities during the day. (The lake was a big hit with those interested in Sailing and Rowing.) All of our first year campers attended the Eagle Bound program and as a result many of our Scouts earned progress toward rank in the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class requirements.

The Troop earned over 80 merit badges in fifteen areas; the merit badges were earned in a variety of programs:

Basketry 11

Camping 4

Cinematography 5

Environmental Science 3

First Aid 3

Horsemanship 10

Lifesaving 1

Rowing 1

Pioneering 6

Woodcarving 6

Metalwork 13

Leatherwork 18

Soil and Water Conversation 3

Orienteering 2

Rifle Shooting 1

The Scouts also returned with over 70 partial completions in these and seven additional merit badges. We hope to finish the majority of these over the next month.

One Scout completed the very difficult BSA Lifeguard course-congratulations to Jason Bohanske, the only scout in the whole camp to accomplish this award. Twenty-five Scouts and Scouters finished the 5K Run-Walk and thirty–five completed the Polar Penguin requirements. Three members of our troop completed the Mile Swim Award, this year in open water as they used the lake for the final swim. Congratulations Jacob Harmon, Mike Thille and Deb Harmon (who seems to do this every year).

But that’s not all the Troop did. We attended two campfires, put on by the Camp Staff, served as Color Guard at camp assembly (our last night at camp) and we served as dining hall food servers for all meals.

Yet this is not all Troop 30 did…. 4 Senior Scouts took part in the Peaceful Valley Adventures Program that included rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and Low Cope course activities, and 30 scouts took a five mile hike in some great country. Two of our Scouts Tyler Johnston and Mike Mayfield were "tapped out" and completed there Ordeal becoming members of the Order of the Arrow, Scoutings Society of Honored Scout Campers. Congratulations to both.

On Thursday the troop entered 4 teams 36 Scouts and 12 Scouters in the camp wide "Colters Run", a 12 stage relay race that was a contest of scout skills, running, swimming and canoeing. Yes we did take FIRST PLACE, (well not overall first place). We entered 3 Scout teams and one team of Adults. When the final results were in our very own Scouters (despite age and weight limitations as well as elevation (7,000 feet), finished ahead of all three of our youthful Scout teams.

So active were all our Scouts, each of our seven Patrols qualified for the Peaceful Valley Ranch Award.

Needless to say the Troop was active, active in all parts of the program. Saturday came very fast and it was time to pack up and leave camp. Our trip home was without difficulty. We drove down into New Mexico where we made a quick stop South of Raton for lunch and on to Kirtland AFB for dinner and a good nights rest. The next AM we packed up, had breakfast on Base and were off on our trip home. After 10 days and 1850 miles we arrived within 45 minutes of our plan, and as you might expect we had some tired Scouts and Scouters. We did have a cut or two, a scraped knee and a touch of homesickness here and there, yet weathered the trip well.

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 neckerchief slide to go with the traditional Troop 30 summer camp neckerchief; Linda Presti and Toni Erman, summer camp accounting, Kathy Cocca and Arlene Lowey who were the at-home contacts to monitor the Troops progress. Sheri Rothstein who tracked paperwork for the trip as well as the Troop medical books. Rick Erman who coordinated the van rental, trailers and was our trail cook. Kim Connors our advancement monitor and camp "Nurse", Mike Childress and Dave Walvick, Troop Photographer and Web Master. And our very own MULE TEAM Shawn Connors and Tommy Melton. These two guys did a bit of everything and most of a lot of things we hardly ever see but could not be without. ( trailers , radios, CBs, food, maps, rout plans and on and on…)

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:

Sharon Upham, Dave Walvick, Mike Salley, Mary Tackitt, Linda Presti, Jim Russell, Rick Erman, Mike Childress, Tori Childress, Ed Cocca, Chris Thille, Kim Connors, Shawn Connors, Tommy Melton, Deb Harmon, Joe Harmon, Alan Rothstein, Carlos Loyd, Mark Purifoy, Glen Buettner Dick Bondeson, and Don Ioli.

AND AS FOR NEXT YEAR !!!

Yes !!!!! plans are in the works for next years adventure to Maui, that’s right Camp Maluhia on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Week of July 14^th, 2002.

As there may be Scouts and Scouters that will not attend Camp Maluhia we will also plan a second summer camp week at Raymond Scout Reservation (outside Williams, Arizona) planned for early June. Yes! Scouts will be able to attend both if they would like.

2002

Bob Bohanske

Scoutmaster