Troop 30 has completed our 2000 Summer Camp program with our second great week of Summer Camp fun. Our first week was at Camp Raymond (see Camp Raymond report) where we took 18 Scouts ( 8 on their first long term camp) and 4 Scouters to the north country of Arizona. Our second trip was a bit more ambitious as we took 40 Scouts (three on there first ever long term camp) and 18 Scouters to the traditional home of all American Scout Camps, Treasure Island. In its 87^th year of operation TI is the first and oldest Scout Camp in the United States and the home of the Order of the Arrow (the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America). Our trip to camp went off like clock work with a scheduled departure from Sky Harbor and on time arrival in Philadelphia. We then bussed to Camp and transported our equipment and troop across the Delaware River ( just 10 miles up stream from where George Washington made his famous Delaware Crossing). Dinner was brought in by our Camp host Troop 216 and the two units socialized over Philly Hoagie sandwiches,

The troop quickly set up and got a good nights rest for the opening of Camp the next day. We brought six Patrols to camp. On Sunday morning the Trojans (a Senior Patrol) hit the road again for a drive up river to camp Resica where they would hike the Pocono’s and canoe over seventy miles back to Treasure Island. Of the five patrols that remained on the Island all five were presented with the camps PATROL AWARD, presented for outstanding participation in the camp program. Each Scout thus earned the TREASURE ISLAND HONOR SCOUT AWARD. The Troop was also recognized at the closing campfire with the Treasure Island TROOP AWARD. The Troop Award is presented to Troops that participate fully in the camps program and activities and have each patrol earn the Patrol Award. (Of the over 20 Troops in camp only three received this special award).

The Troop was involved in all activities at camp. We attended all assemblies, two campfires we had great Scout and Scouter participation in Polar Bear (the early morning swim program. We entered the Gateway contest constructing an entryway to our campsite and in a very close contest we edged out a troop from New York City and took FIRST PLACE in the Gateway competition.

The Scouters (adults ) also entered several contests. In the Leader Rifle Shoot our very own Karl Brandenburger took FIRST PLACE (we must also note that Scouters from Troop 30 also took Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth place). There was a Scouter Desert Cooking contest and our team of Master Chef Rick Erman, Debbie Harmon and Linda Presti won the FIRST PLACE Blue Ribbon. In the Regatta Race our design engineer Dave Walvick and Shirley Grossman created a master work boat that navigated its way down the Delaware to a SECOND PLACE finish.

Throughout the week there were various activities and contests with many of our Scouts earning Ribbons or First Place Medals. In the Camp Champs competition Kenny McElwee took First Place in Knots and Second Place in the Heaving Bar and Orienteering, Eric Russell took Second Place in the Memory Contest, Josh Walvick Third Place in the MoonBall contest. Kyle Rose and Robbie Fedde tied for First Place in the Memory Contest, Jacob Gantt took Third Place in both Archery and Rifle and Jason Bohanske won a Second Place in Archery. Jacob Harmon won First Place in the Frisbee Toss Contest.

The Troop also attended the Order of the Arrow Tapout program on Wednesday evening at which 12 of our own were Tapped out for membership in this "National Honor Society of Scout Campers", These Scouts had been elected by their fellow Scouts as worthy of this Honor. Congratulations to Scouts Jason Bohanske, Matt Connors, Mike Childress, Mike Criswell, Jake Grossman, Jacob Harmon, Kenny McElwee, Matt O’Hair, and Josh Thompson. Each year the Troop Committee can also elect one adult into the Order our 1999 and 2000 Scouter (adult) members are Debbie Harmon and Kim Connors. The District can also appoint a Scouter and this year appointed Carolyn Brandenburger. Congratulations to all new candidates. Following their Tap out a Ceremonial team took the new members to start their Ordeal, which was held the next day. On Thursday evening, in a very impressive ceremony they were formally inducted into the Order. This was a very special induction as it took place in the original Order of the Arrow ceremonies ring on the 85^th anniversary of the Order, which was founded at Treasure Island.

The Scouts were also very active in individual programs. Many Scouts accomplished requirements on the Trail to First Class (Scout Craft Skills) in the Ranger Program. All first year campers earned their Totin‘ Chip (a wood tools safety program). Eight of our Scouts completed the C.O.P.E. program a weeklong adventure in self-esteem and self-confidence as well as team building. And one Scout Josh Thompson completed the B.S.A. Lifeguard Program.

While all that was going on the Troop earning a total of 100 Merit Badges in 24 different areas. The following is a summary of the Troops week:

Troop Award (Highest Award Troop Can Earn)

Patrol Award (all five Patrols)

Polar Bear 14 Scouts 7 Scouters

Basketry - 10

Bird Study -1

Cooking -1

Camping - 6

Canoeing -5

Environmental Science –6

Fishing – 1

Geology - 1

Indian Lore -3

Leatherwork -11

Mammal Study -1

Nature –1

Orienteering – 1

Plant Science-1

Reptile and Amphibian -4

Rifle Shooting –4

Rowing – 5

Small Boat Sailing-11

Sports- 1

Swimming –1

Woodcarving -11

Weather –1

Wilderness Survival – 8

Whitewater - 5

As you can see the Troop was very active.

· Our TI Summer Camp Host Troop 216 from Philadelphia.

· The Camp Staff of Treasure Island.

· Our very own Kathy Cocca who arranged the travel, airlines and airport procedures.

· Dave Walvick who coordinated with the Camp and our Host Troop as well as ground transportation.

· Dave Walvick & Mike Childress who took the photos and posted to our web-site.

· Linda Presti and Tony Erman who managed Troop finances and camp accounts.

· Kim Connors who tracked all advancement and merit badges.

· The Scouters who gave up a week to share with our boys at camp: Karl and Carolyn Brandenburger, Wayne and Shirley Grossman, Kim Connors, Linda Presti, Rick Erman, Mike Childress, Joe and Debbie Harmon, Sharon Upham, Kathy Eskesen, Ed Cocca, Jim Russell, Alan Rothstein, Mike Sally, and Dave Walvick. Without these folks the program could simply not happen.

· A special thank-you to Deb Thompson who with Kim Connors coordinated (paperwork, medical forms).

· And all the Scouters, Troop Committee Members and Parents who helped make this not just a Great Camp but our best camp ever.

Next year------we climb back up to 7,000 foot and Colorado…. and 2002 back to Sea level and the Hawaii trip… Stay tuned and stay involved.