First Summer Camp as a Scoutmaster

So we’ve been home for a few days now from what was the first summer camp for the “new” troop and my first as a Scoutmaster. Outside of cabin camping with the family, the last time I was camping for a week straight was as a young Scout myself.
Four Scouts, “the core” as I’ve come to know them, were kind enough to join me for a week of camping at Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation. Besides myself who stayed the entire week, we had 3 adults rotate through to maintain “2 deep.”

The weather was as cooperative as could be expected for July in the northeast. We had a few days dominated by rain but based on the timing it didn’t affect much of the activities. I don’t like having to set camp or break down in the rain but will tolerate just about anything else. In some circumstances I think it actually helped the situation like when the Scouts were working on the book work for swimming merit badge. I think they were more focused by not having to work on those requirements without having to look out on a sunwashed pond taunting them to hurry through and jump in unprepared.

The waterfront was where the troop spent every afternoon. All 4 were registered for the Dan Beard program so all their time from flags to lunch was spent on Scoutcraft and outdoor skills. Afternoons consisted of working on a craft (woodworking, pottery, basketry, etc) badge and then off to the waterfront to work on Swimming.

The open swim/boat immediately followed their MB session so a few times the Scouts took advantage and stayed to swim, climb the iceberg, or take a boat out on the water.

All meals except one dinner cooked in camp were served at the dining hall. Sparing the time of cooking and cleaning up makes for a lot more activity time but a part of me thought it wasn’t backwoods enough. 3 times a day – grace before every meal.

Two of our Scouts, until about a year ago, were the best of friends. I’m not privy to the history but things have gone sour between them. It’s been an issue on previous campouts and at troop meetings as well but this week things came to a head. I sat the two if them down and we were able to hash through some of their issues and each had a better understanding of the other side. I’d be surprised if their conflict was put to rest 100% but it was good to see them working together and compromising with each other as the week went on.

Midway through the week our Scouts finished early in the Dan Beard sessions. They were all about halfway done the 2nd Class requirements before starting camp so in a few days they were able to cover 2nd Class and most of First. This meant their mornings were there’s again which let them put a lot of work into the raft. We were sharing the site with another (20+) troop and on paper the raft was a joint effort but it was really my boys that did 300% of the work.

Due to some misguide helpers and an unfortunate experience of sabotage (young scout from other troop being helpful with a pocket knife) the boys actually built the raft 3 times. When it came time for race day the troop split the “seats” on the raft with the other troop so they could still be part of the competition. The rafts were judged on 3 criteria:
- construction and use if lashings
- incorporation of theme (pirates)
- the race itself – paddling out across the lake, circling a kayaker stationed in the lake and then back to shore.

Two of the five entries fell apart when they hit the water. That left three in the race. Of the three remaining, our troop were the only ones who decorated their raft. The troop that took first in the race portion lost points because they didn’t use the approved materials (came down and took their own barrels without clearing it with those running the contest. It was nearly a photo finish for 2nd place (glad I video recorded it) but our troop won by a nose.

When Troop 83 was announced as the grand winner at dinner Friday night I’m not sure who was beaming prouder, the Scouts or their Scoutmaster. It was a sweet reward to a bittersweet week.

 

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