Boy Scout Troop 325 Scoutmaster Minute
July 20, 2010
Andy Duprey, Scoutmaster
We brought them back alive-well one stayed at camp. The event of the year when everything comes together, a time to learn and practice scouting skills, to live as a patrol, in a troop, hanging out with friends, making new friends, testing skills, learning new ones and just plain having fun.
Our week at Camp Oljato was no exception. 41 Scouts braved the wilds of the Sierra Nevada
For some it was the first time they ever spent a week away from home without their parents. For some, adults included, it was the first time they shot a rifle, a bow, or threw a tomahawk. For some it was the first time they shot a shot gun. For some of the Scouts it was the first time they cooked over an open fire, swam in a lake, rowed a boat, swamped a canoe, or negotiated a C.O.P.E course. It was all about memories.
First year Scouts learned tools that will last a life time. Older Scouts developed leadership and had opportunities to try new skills and adventures. Long lines for meals, outdated facilities and thunder could not keep this camp from, all in all, giving us everything we were looking for.
Those 41 scouts advanced 7 ranks, earned 83 merit badges, and one BSA lifeguard. All great stuff, but the important part of summer camp is the memories that the scouts made together as a group. For the scouts that went this year, Oljato will be the standard to which they hold any other camp they go to.
The Scouts of Troop 325 have made me proud to be associated with this troop and reassure me, despite the many dirty faces and hands, about the future of our nation.
There are so many memories and funny pictures, that it would take a lot more than this minute to review... and that is what I call a great week at summer camp.
Thank you and good night scouts.