Camp Highroad Camp Out - April 2015

As always, Camp Highroad was one of our best camp outs of the year.  Our troop had a great time. The younger scouts participated in the Low Ropes course while the older scouts visited the High Ropes course. 

They rode the zip line and participated in pole climbing. They also rode the pendulum, a long rope attached to a harness that sends the rider swinging back and forth. 

A cricket game was held in which one team was crushed by the other. The losing team consisted of Mr. White, Hans, Daniel, Brady, and Mr. Pungello.

Each patrol participated in a campfire competition. The Platypi achieved the Biggest Blaze award, the Lumberjacks received the Innovative Approach award, the Omegas received the Eco-Friendly award, and the Vampyro Dragons obtained the Optimist award.

The Omegas' Fire

The Vampyro Dragons' Fire

The Platypis' Fire

The Lumberjack's Fire

Congratulations to all for your strong efforts in firebuilding!

Finally, the Platypi patrol has asked me to point out that they need to remind Mark to bring milk the next time they have cereal.

Photos courtesy of David Hollender

Shenandoah River State Park Winter Campout - February 2015

Elizabeth Furnace is closed this winter because of construction, but that didn't stop Troop 1018 from camping with at least 4 or 5 inches of snow on the ground. All of the scouts had a great time winter camping at Shenandoah River State Park.

Even though there were many complaints about the freezing cold weather, we had a large, sustaining fire to keep us warm throughout the weekend. Because we were not supplied with logs, each scout worked to find wood and logs for the fire. We would never have attained the amount of wood we did without Hans repeatedly saying, “Five more!”

In addition to keeping warm, numerous scouts received awards. Eric earned the Charred Socks Award for trying to warm his feet too close to the fire.

While Hans and Zach worked as great defenders during the annual Troop 1018 football game, the tree by far earns the Best Defender Award. It blocked a few of Mr. White's punts, and knocked over some defensive ends. The football game ended in a tie, with each side scoring six points.

Cooking was great on the campout. The canned ravioli was awesome! From what I saw, Mr. Elmer, cooked an incredible salmon for the adults. He timed it perfectly in the hot coals of the campfire.

All in all, the campout at Shenandoah River State Park was great. The scouts learned several valuable lessons about winter camping, including wearing warmer clothes as well as keeping your socks away from the fire.

Bears Den - January 2015

As always, the Bears Den camp out was a weekend of many fun activities.  It all started on Friday January 30th with the older scouts hiking into Bears Den from Blackburn Trail Center - and it was not an easy trek!  They hiked the Appalachian Trail for 8.9 miles through snowy, icy slopes.  It was cold during the hike and when they arrived at Bears Den about forty minutes early, they had to wait outside until they opened.  They made a campfire to warm up.  Everyone was tired and hungry.  According to Mr. Mazur, just getting to the starting point of the hike was very difficult.  They had to drive up a steep ice and snow covered road.  Hiking across Route 7 was scary as it was extremely windy.  The wind-chill made the temperature much lower causing it to feel like your face was burning.

More scouts and leaders showed up Friday night and Saturday morning.  There was another hike on Saturday, this one five miles along what we have come to call “Roller Coaster” section just south of Bears Den.  According to Mr. Hollender, Charlie and Luke lost their bearings but managed to find their way back to the cabin, so they have earned the “Rusty Compass” award.

After the Saturday hike, the group played football (this time with a fully inflated ball).  Later in the cabin, the scouts played board games including the all-time favorite “Amoeba Wars”.  Stephen Pungello made an awesome pot pie which was well received by all.

Photos courtesy of Mark Mazur

Chopped at Dennis Farm - November 2014

 

The “Chopped” camp out at Dennis Farm was a huge success.  Stephen Pungello put in a great deal of planning and effort before the event, and it really paid off.  He brought some great food items for the patrols.  He and Max Schultz did an awesome job of officiating the teams.

Mr. Pungello, Mr. White, Mr. McKinnley and Mr. Boelcskevy took some extraordinary risks as judges, but they managed to survive the competition.  

 

They loved the Vampiro Dragons’ breakfast causing the patrol to win the first round, but the Lumberjacks pulled ahead with their well-prepared dinner.  It was neck and neck up to the dessert round where the Platypi gained lots of points and earned them the coveted Golden Spatula award!

We hope that the “Chopped” competitions will become a regular event with Troop 1018.  Saturday’s soccer tournament was loads of fun.  A big thanks to Ben Clark for organizing it.

Aside from the cooking and sports, the scouts earned Polar Bear patches as the temperature dipped down into the mid 20’s Friday night.