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Summer Camp 2008 at Camp Wanocksett |
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Written by Larry Peck
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Monday, 21 July 2008 |
Troop 76 went to Camp Wanocksett in Dublin NH for their summer camp. This was our first year at this camp and boy did the super ducks make a splash. We were forced to seek out a new summer camp this year because of the sale of Camp Onway and decided this camp had everything we need.
The week started with check-in on Sunday, July 13, at 1:30. Check-in included equipment drop-off, medical check, swim check, troop photo, camp tour, and orientation. I must say this was the smoothest process I've ever witnessed. Parents waited in line with their cars and dropped off the scout and his gear within the designated area in memorial lodge. Once the whole troop arrived and dropped their gear off, all the gear was transported to their campsite. The medical check(med drop off), troop photo, and swim check took place next. It was a good idea to wear a bathing suit and bring a towel to the check-in process for the swimming part. The camp tour and orientation took place next. We basically walked around and visited all the major areas. After the orientation, we were dropped off at our camp site and prepaired for 6:00 retreat and dinner dressed in our class A uniforms. At 7:30 we have a waterfront orientation and at 8:00 the opening campfire. Our Campsite was called "Rotory" and was across the street from the main camp. Rotory can hold many more scouts than we had this year (11 scouts, 4 adults) so hopefully we can fill more tents next year.
The typical day schedule was a busy one. Every day started went as follows:
6:00 Jason wake-up call
7:00 polar bear swim
7:45 colors
8:00 breakfast (morning medications were given out after breakfast in the mess hall)
9:00 merit badge session 1
9:30 scoutmaster daily meeting (only for the scoutmasters)
10:00 merit badge session 2
11:00 patrol centered skill instruction (entire patrol decides on an activity)
12:15 lunch and troop development time (troop partol meeting)
2:00 merit badge session 3
3:00 open activity time (planned activities, hikes, merit badge stuff, ...)
6:00 retreat
6:15 dinner
7:00 planned activities
through out the week, each troop/patrol had the opportunity to win awards. One of the awards was the Golden Broom award. This was awarded to the troop with the cleanest and correctly setup campsite which included campsite improvements and projects. The super ducks claimed this award on Tuesday and had to decorate the golden broom.
Another award was the Baden Powell Patrol award. This award required each patrol(we only had one patrol) to complete a list of tasks through out the week. The list of tasks are as follows:
Make a patrol flag
Use a patrol cheer
Hold at least 2 patrol meeting
Each member of the patrol either earn one merit badge or advance a rank
Perform a conservation project
Challenge another patrol to a game or competition
Participate in the polar bear swim at least once
write an article and take a photo for the wanocksett times(camps daily paper)
Complete the Wanocksett scavenger hunt
The super ducks received this award at closing colors
Another award was the John Coyle Honor Troop award. This award required the a lot of participation.
The requirements are as follows:
Attend all 12 flag ceremonies
Attend opening campfire
Attend waterfront orientation
Attend friendship fires
Attend the songfest
Attend the OA tap-out ceremony
Attend chapel
Attend OA ice cream social
Attend closing campfire
All patrols earn the Baden Powel patrol award
Any member of the troop participate in 7 scheduled activities:
- sunset summit hike
- Muck walk
- brownsea evening adventure
- rocket launch
- 5 mile hike
- iron chef
- dance social with the neighboring girls camp
- lake adventure cruise
The SPL must conduct two Patrol leader council meetings
Donate something on the donation list(we donated 3-ring hole paper)
Complete a major improvement to your campsite
Draft a press release to accompany a troop photo in a local newspaper
I'm proud to announce that only 2 troops received this award, yes, you guessed it, the Super Ducks were one of them
The Super Ducks also won the cleanest campsite of the week award and got to keep the golden broom.
The closing colors was when all the awards and recognitions were given out. The Super Ducks received every award and recognition offered except the one-mile swim and the triathlon, lets see if we can change that next year and take everything.
The Super Ducks made a huge splash this year to a summer camp that has never heard of us. I guarantee you one thing, all the people at this weeks summer camp will never forget us.
P.S. There were two attempts to kidnap our troop flag. In both cases, their attempts failed. You know you are getting noticed when two other troops try to kidnap your patrol flag ... |
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