CAMP SPENCER Report 2009, to all Troop 406 Scouts, Scouters, Parents and Friends of the Troop.
Troop 406 has returned from Camp Spencer! As predicted we were a bunch of tired Scouts and Scouters. Other than having just good ole Scouting fun our 24 Scouts returned with 88 completed Merit Badges plus 15 nearly completed partials, many Eagle required! Wow!
Of the 88 Merit Badges 24 were earned by the First Year Campers. Great job Falcons!
20 of the MBs were Eagle required. Good job older Scouts!
Twenty four Scouts and five Scouters assembled in the parking lot to attend Grace Lutheran’s Contemporary Service where we welcomed and blessed by the pastors and congregation along with Grace’s New Orleans youth group. After departing the church and a quick lunch at the Nottingham (no not castle!) County Park the troop continued south. Upon arrival at Camp Spencer Sunday afternoon it was a mad rush to get settled into the Windy Hills campsite, change into swim suits, receive a medical re-test and then into the pool for a swim test to classify the swimmer’s ability. No sooner than that was accomplished we were back in our Class A Field uniforms for dinner, yum, a short time to organize our camp and then off to the Opening Campfire. After a very entertaining skit from the Spencer Staff we were hiking back to Windy Hills. Whew, the Scouts were ready to crawl into their bunks for a much needed sleep.
Monday dawned bright, hot and muggy. The Scouts dressed in their Class B or “Activity Uniforms” and we hiked to the main assembly field for the Flag Ceremony. The Flag Ceremony and Troop attendance reports with the various troop’s antics are always a surprise for those who haven’t been to Camp Spencer. The breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, sausage and toast, was met by differing amounts of enthusiasm, by the troop’s connoisseurs of fine food. But than again “Mommy” wasn’t there to pamper them, boo-hoo. Recharged with energy it was time to get to some serious Scouting, Merit Badges for most and the First Year Camper Program for the newer Scouts.
Our new leader Mr. Kurt Vollert volunteered to accompany the Falcons during their program, known as “FYC”. Kurt did a wonderful job of getting the Scouts through this program. Actually more like “herding cats” try that in your spare time! Actually Kurt worked with the Falcon’s Patrol Leader Jeremy B. who in turn did a nice job of guiding the Falcons. There were 7 Falcons, Jeremy B, Andy K (Asst Patrol Leader), Hunter L, Ross L, Bill K, Alex V and Josh H. The eighth Falcon Mike R was designated as a “Free Range” Falcon as he has all but a few First Class requirements completed and the FYC program was not suitable for a Scout with his experience. Off to MBs with Mike! During this program the Falcons worked on many requirements for the Tenderfoot and Second Class ranks. Some of our Falcons had already completed these requirements and I’m sure they were very helpful advising the Scouts who hadn’t. In addition to the advancements opportunities the Falcons also had time to complete the fingerprinting, Indian Lore and Leatherworking Merit Badges. About half of the Falcons also opted to complete the Basketry MB. Congratulations to the Falcons for their accomplishments!
While the FYC Scouts were busy with their program the older Scouts were off to all sorts of Merit Badge sessions from Farm Mechanics, yes, I said, “Farm Mechanics” to Cooking, Swimming to Fish and Wildlife and every conceivable MB in between. Surprisingly no one signed up for the morning “COPE” (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) but we did have five Scouts, Frankie R, Tim R, Robert F, Chris K and Mike F signed up for “Lost Pines” a generally off-site, more challenging older Scout program.
Some of the Scouts that participated didn’t think it was all that it was advertised to be but it seemed that they were having a blast. They did need to cope with several rained out activities but all in all I suspect it was more fun than hanging in camp doing nothing. The program included an afternoon on the Susquehanna River in Kayaks, swimming, climbing rocks on islands and even a BBQ lunch on an island before paddling back to shore just before dark. Other activities were held at “Guppy Gulch” a water filled slate quarry considered to be the first above and below water theme park associated with a Boy Scout Camp. Activities included a Navy Seals operation in the dark in the waters of the quarry rumored to include the mission of drowning Mr. Kilcoyne our troop Committee Chairman. Ask Tom about the experience! They also got to “white water raft” a lazy river and clamber over rocks and pose on top of the “King Rock” in Maryland’s Rock State Park. There was an introduction to Scuba in the swimming pool of nearby Camp Saffron also a part of the Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation. While the participants of Lost Pines enjoyed their outings the Scouts at Camp Spencer had the opportunity to use the pool, the rifle, shotgun and archery ranges and various optional MB sessions during afternoon “open” times. Needless to say there was a lunch served and at the conclusion of afternoon activities we all assembled in the main field in our dress uniforms for troop reports and dinner. Following Monday’s Dinner the troop stayed in uniform to attend Scout Vespers at the chapel, an open-air affair with a huge A Frame structure above the speaker’s podium. Camp Spencer’s Staff presents a very nice non-denominational non-sectarian “Scout’s Own” Service. Although this service is required for earning the Camp Spencer Spirit Award I have always felt the Scout’s Own Services are a unique, not-to-be missed, event. They are refreshing and uplifting, as they are part of the true “Outdoor Experience”. I found it amusing when one Scout asked why we had to go to “church” if we just went on Sunday before departing for Spencer. When I replied it wasn’t “church but a non-denominational service he replied, “But I’m Catholic”. I’m not sure what that has to do with anything. I told him I didn’t care if he was Catholic, Buddhist or Purple he was going to go!
After the service the Scouts had the option of a movie the ¼ mile swim, a nature paddle (how did I miss this?) an open shoot or a movie, National Treasure II. Most opted for the movie though some just kicked-back or worked on MB projects at the campsite. After all the Scouts arrived back at Windy hills they retired for the night looking forward to the long week of Scouting ahead. We all fell asleep to the sounds of overnight soaking rains.
Tuesday was cloudy and humid but not rainy. That didn’t stop the troop from starting the day with a Polar Bear Swim, known at Spencer as an “Early Bird Swim”. Now that the Scouts had a better idea of how Summer Camp works everyone scurried off to participate in the FYC program and Merit Badges. Your Scoutmaster, Mr. Houseal and his pending replacement, Mr. Reppert spent their day working toward the Scoutmaster Merit Badge by lending a hand at various stations, participating in open shoots, taking training and even supporting the Trading Post by buying an ice cream sandwich. After Dinner the troop broke up into patrols and participated in the camp wide games. There were many activities and each yielded a part of a puzzle to be solved. The answer would lead to a cache of “Disarming Devices” to prevent the golden egg in the dining hall from exploding and turning Camp Spencer into a huge omelet.
The Lost Pines contingent spent their afternoon tubing on Deer Creek through Rocks State Park.
Wednesday dawned and the Scouts slept in for a little while as there was no morning swim. The Scouts by now had settled into a daily routine. In order to win the Spirit of Spencer Award the troop needed a camp improvement project. A visit to the East Ridge Commissioner found a readymade project. Immediately after dinner the troop loaded Mr. Vollert and Mr. Lomire’s pickup trucks with about 3 yards of mulch. The mulch was transported to the Scout Skills Pavilion where it was unloaded and spread to cover the ground. The dirt under the pavilion covered by a fine dust that made clouds every time someone moved their feet. The mulch made a much more pleasant environment for the Counselors to teach in and the Scouts to spend time working on Merit Badges. Lost Pines Scouts met to go to Guppy Gulch for water sporting events. Everyone returned to Camp Spencer and the Windy Hills campsite in time to walk over to the “Old Archery Field” to enjoy the beautiful overlook of Lake Strauss while the sun set. Meanwhile, two of the Communications MB students, Matt S. and Matt S. shared the responsibilities of Master of Ceremonies for the East Ridge Campfire. The best performance of this campfire would go on to perform at the Friday Night Camp Closing Campfire. Troop 406 performed their rendition of the “Moviemaker”. There was to be an Astronomy hike but a cloud cover postponed the festivities.
We woke to bright sunshine Thursday morning and the troop enjoyed another Polar Bear Swim before breakfast. There is method in this madness. Some Scouts get so busy enjoying camp that they entirely forget that a “Scout is Clean”. This prevents any excuses from Scouts who don’t find time to get to the showers!
Once again it was off to activities. The sun didn’t last long and in short order everyone was looking for cover as the skies opened up for about an hour. The remainder of the day remained wet and humid although the rains turned into sporadic showers. Our own golf MB pro Andrew Z. joined many Scouts from other troops to spend the afternoon at the Geneva Farm Country Club for a round of golf and dinner. Mr Kilcoyne tagged along to hit a bucket of balls and to transport some Scouts from golf to Lost Pines. Lost pines spent the afternoon at Guppy gulch but cancelled the BBQ dinner due to the weather.
The evening offered the ever-popular reading of The Lorax around a campfire with S’mores for all. FYC was to have a campfire and there were open shoots and swim, handicrafts and an Out Post for Wilderness Survivor MB Scouts including our own Tim D. The wet weather played havoc with the later events and some ended early. The Outpost turned into tent camping raining out any Wilderness Survival MB completions. The Scouts started to realize that camp was nearly over. Some were glad some were sad, but a long shower and a night in one’s own bed was an appetizing thought!
Friday dawned as another cloudy humid day. The FYC campers were off on a 5 mile hike and the MB Scouts were off to complete their badges. Mr. Houseal and Mr. Kilcoyne helped drive the Farm Mechanics MB Scouts including Seth W, Andrew H, Frankie R, Tim R, Matt Sp and Mike F to a local off-site farm implement dealer for a quick lesson on how much farm equipment costs, how maintenance is important, and how to maintain the equipment. The dealer pulled out a huge tractor with a multi-row corn planter and expanded it automatically from the road-towing configuration to a fully operational stance. It looked like a robot straight out of “Transformers”! What was truly amazing it was a mere ¼ million dollars worth of machinery, Wow!
Early in the afternoon Dave Bauer’s Dad arrived at camp to spend some time with his son but Dave was busy at the rifle range on a mission to qualify for the MB. Eventually Mr Reppert coaxed Dave to climb the steep hill back to camp and sit with his Dad. In fact he delayed his father long enough that he stayed for dinner but immediately following the meal he headed home to beat the darkness. Friday’s dinner meal is open to any parents desiring to drive to Camp Spencer, pay a small fee and join with their son for the meal. The visitors can also stay around for the Friday Campfire. This year the guests for dinner were Mrs. Vollert joining her husband and son and also Mr Lomire joining his two sons.
The parents can also take their sons home if desired. The FYC Scouts were scheduled to have the honor of lowering and folding the three flags and the Scouts were “all practiced up” and ready to go. Unfortunately Kevin McClelland had to inform us that the flag lowering would be cancelled due to the approach of a severe thunderstorm and something about aluminum flagpoles? We were all shuffled directly into the dining hall for shelter and an impromptu “cattle chute was set up to help the crowd negotiate the old dining hall to access the cafeteria lines easing the way for the visitors. We all enjoyed a roast beef dinner and ice cream for dessert. The storm raged outside bringing back memories of the dinner at Spencer in 2007, a near perfect replay. The rain stopped allowing the visitors to tour the camp and their son’s campsite, tent and latrine if they cared to. The staff decided the campfire area was too wet to use and a fire was built in the fireplace at the end of the dining hall and the entertainment held there. There were many awards handed out including the Scoutmaster’s Merit Badges (actually a certificate), Iron man and Mountain man challenges, Cook-off awards and even a special award presented by the Rifle range counselor “The Perseverance Panda Award” to Dave Bauer for spending a full 2-1/2 hours attempting to qualify for the Rifle Shooting MB. Congratulations to all who received awards. There were two skits performed one from the West Ridge and one from the East Ridge. I’m thrilled to say that the East Ridge skit was none other than Troop 406’s “Moviemaker”. The Scouts did a great job projecting their voices and performing, super teamwork!! The applause said it all, Troop 406 ROCKS! I would like to thank all those who helped make the Troop 406 Summer Camp a success and allowing me to retire from the Scoutmaster position on a positive note. What comes to mind is the fun, the achievements, rank advancements, the 88 Merit Badges earned, did I mention the FUN? For those who never heard my theory of how to run a troop, simply stated, “ The Scouts should be advancing in rank, learning self-dependence and learning leadership but not realizing this because they are having too much fun to notice”.
Yours in Scouting,
Ken Houseal, retired Scoutmaster, Troop 406