Treasure Island -

Troop 406 has returned from Treasure Island. If you weren't there perhaps you should have been. The Scouts that spent the week on the Island had a great time, earned many merit badges and rank advancement requirements. They shared in a lot of outdoor fun, survived the storms and created memories that will last a lifetime. 

In the near future I will post a Treasure Island Photo Sampler in our on line Scrapbook.  

 Scouts please make sure to thank the adults of your troop who made it possible for you to attend Treasure Island including your parents. I would personally like to thank; Kerry Swartley and Kenny Houseal for attending as Assistant Scoutmasters, there would have been no summer camp without them. I would also like to thank those who volunteered to drive Scouts and gear to the camp including Tom Kilcoyne with the hazardous cargo, Mary Frank, Walter Musselman, Art Dreidger, Scott Summers, Rick Wilmer and Frank Reppert. Considering the cost of gasoline today this was a major contribution. 

 This was the 95th year for summer camping on Treasure Island, arguably the oldest operating Boy Scout Camp, the only island camp and the birthplace of the Order of the Arrow. Getting our Troop and their gear onto the Island was no small feat. The camp staff was organized as they have done this numerous times but of course our troop wasn't quite as organized. We manages to get onto the island high and dry without dropping any Scouts or gear in the river. Once settled into the "Jersey" campsite the Scouts took the required swim test and dressed for dinner.  

 While on the subject of food, the kitchen staff provided the campers with an excellent menu and the portions were plentiful. Without any doubt and all the campers from this troop agreed with me this was the best camp food they ever had, excepting (without hesitation), the powdered eggs, ugh! As long as I mentioned a negative I may as well bring up the rest. At the top of the list was the latrines, surprise! Not bad but still latrines. Another complaint was there is no latrine near the dining hall for those inevitable bathroom emergencies. In comparison both Resica and Spencer have nearby flush facilities. There were plenty of gripes about the Trading Post and their lack of T-shirts that fit Scouts.  I'm convinced this is due to the dining hall food and the need to buy bigger clothing to get home! OK, that was the list of bummers. 

 On the positive side there were plenty of merit badge opportunities, the counselors were great and there were plenty of activities for all ages. There was even a "camp crafts" area that isn't even defined by the BSA. This area was staffed by an elderly gentleman with many years of Scouting experience. The area was devoted to making things from items found in the woods like logs, limbs and even turtle shells. 

 Now back to the Troop 406 Scouts. The Scouts participated in many activities. I think the best way to relate this would be to chronologically list them - 

Sunday evening we attended a Welcome Campfire. This was during a drenching thunderstorm and was held under cover in "Kiwanis Lodge" normally the handicraft area. The staff presented many skits and songs to entertain everyone until the storm passed. 

Monday morning was our first Polar Bear swim to get the troop moving. The aquatics staff provided the "polar" part by squirting everyone with cold water from a hose. After breakfast was merit badge activities and COPE for older Scouts and adults. After lunchtime was more merit badge work and a troop swim at 2:00.  After dinner there was a Pit Crew Challenge. 

Tuesday we passed on the Polar Bear swim to participate in the flag raising ceremonies. The staff challenged the adult leaders to a game of softball before dinner, the leaders lost by one point. Tailgate Tuesday was the activity in the evening with lots of games and food. The Troop 406 activity was Army Tag and it was a real hit. Our JASM, Dave M. joined us for the day and evening. 

Wednesday it was back in the pool first thing in the morning as three morning swims are required to earn the Polar Bear award. Immediately after breakfast Troop 406 participated in a "High Venture" trip of tubing down the Delaware to Point Pleasant where a bus was provided to return the Scouts to camp. At 4:00 PM visitors invaded the island. Parents came to visit their happy campers, many of whom really wanted to escape the island, I'm not sure why, probably suffering withdrawal from computer games. The parents were treated to a BBQ dinner with their Scouts. This was followed by an Order of the Arrow "Call-out" ceremony. Our Scouts called out were Matt Sw. and Andrew Z. Quite an impressive ceremony. Then the fun began! As the parents were ferrying across the river the storms rolled in. The ferries cannot run during lightning for obvious safety reasons. This marooned 40 Moms, Dads, and children on the island including Mrs. Houseal who came to celebrate Kenny's Birthday. While the storms raged popcorn, drinks and chips were passed around and the week's theme movie "Cars" was shown to distract everyone from the raging storm.  

Thursday morning we woke to torrential downpours washing out the Polar Bear Swim. Merit Badge work continued and by Noon the sun came out for the remainder of our week. The evening activities were the showing of "Cars" and for OA members were Induction Ceremonies in the ceremonial campfire grounds. Matt and Andrew became Ordeal members, Mr Houseal, Kenny H, Andrew H and Chris K were inducted as Brotherhood members. Again they were very impressive ceremonies.

 Friday was a tough day, everyone knew it was the last day of camp and that they would have to go home Saturday. It was a busy day starting with the final Polar Bear and it got busier as the Scouts scrambled to complete their merit badges. Matt Sp was stranded on Marshall Island after spending the night earning the Wilderness Survival merit badge due to the connecting bridge washing out overnight from high water in the river. Ferry service was established to get Scouts to COPE, the rifle and archery ranges. Mrs Swartley and Matt were marooned and missed lunch when the ferry failed to return for them until after lunch. In the afternoon there was the TI 500 car race, well more of a Klondike Sled with wheels race. Did I mention we won? Mike F. drove, powered by Chris K and Andrew Z. Team Manager was Robert F. Our racers had dropped out of the Pineroad Derby race by this time so no win there. After dinner there were religious services followed by a Victory Lane campfire.

 Saturday was a mad dash to get checked out of camp, assigned a departure number for the ferry and the loading of gear and Scouts into vehicles for the ride home. We were back at Grace Lutheran Church's parking lot around 12:10, a mere ten minutes later than projected. Whew! It was a great week.

 By the numbers -

 23 Scouts attended, one was a Trailblazer, first year Scout.

 3 Adult Leaders attended

49 merit badges earned, 17 were Eagle required

13 partial MBs, some very close to completion.

COPE - Mrs. Swartley, Matt Sw, Tim R, Frankie R, Kenny H and Chris K.

T I 500 - Troop 406 Won! 

Unami Award

Great job by your Senior Patrol Leader Seth and Assistant SPL Frankie.