See Pictures - Trotter Ranch 2007
The Games weekend is a new scout weekend, a new parent weekend, and a prep weekend for camporee. We had several new scouts and their parents attend. The new scouts divided up into two patrols the "White Wolves" and the "Invading Vikings". Cameron was elected patrol leader of the White Wolves and Connor for the Invading Vikings. Both were excellent choices as evidenced by their leadership that weekend.
What a great weekend. The weather, the food, the games, the guns, the leadership of the older scouts, the campsite-you name it. Thanks to our campmaster Scott Flynn, Grubmaster Jamie Jordan, Gun Instructors Rich Jacot and Bob Mundlin and head archer Steve White. There were several new scout parents helping at all the stations. We are blessed by new parent leadership (and we are going to need it with 15 new scouts).
We set up camp at Trotter Ranch Friday night with the new scout camping with the older scouts. After a delicious crackerbarrel the boys settled in for a good sleeping night of crisp camping air. The next morning the scouts awoke early and proceeded to work with their assigned older scout patrols on breakfast. The new scouts participated in the morning's flag ceremony. Our SPL explained the events for the day and we were dismissed. Mr. White gave a cleaning station demo. After breakfast clean up we moved to the events.
The first event was the log hoist followed by the flagpole raising. The older scouts were assisting the new scouts. Some of older scouts went on to shoot 22s and shotguns. After flag pole raising the new scouts moved onto archery and 22s. We handed out belly ropes and practiced knots during lunch. Fairly quiet orderly morning. The consistent sound of lead flying through the air coupled with the silent arrows reminded me of what Troop 168 is all about.
The quiet afternoon was startled by Patrick's changing voice "Oh my gosh there is a fire!" Some of us fortunately were in camp and we dropped everything and ran to assess the situation. It was a big out of control burn near the scout's camping area. No fires were in camp so that made you wonder how such a thing got started. It reminded me of how much we have to teach scouts about fire safety. We immediately started a firebreak and thankfully the wind was not blowing hard. The flames were probably less than a couple of minutes to being out of control. Some of the scouts alerted the other parents and scouts. Ryan found some of our fire extinguishers and we were able to contain the madness- not stop it. After more help arrived we poured all available water on the situation and started dumping sand on the hot spots. In a few minutes all was under control. Whew that was a close one! In all the adversity, we took control of the situation, worked like a team and avoided a near bad situation. I hope the boys playing with matches learned from this.
After the fire we hauled more water in and continued to watch the hot spots. Several new scouts had scoutmaster conferences for Basic Scout. The older boys had a shoot off for shotguns. It was a great day to be outdoors. Chad Smith won the shotgun shoot off going 20 for 20. Alex Diamond won the rifle competition.
The boys retired the colors, fixed dinner and prepared for campfire. The Big Bucks feasted on fresh shrimp, potatoes and sausage. Oh yeah cheesecake too! Thanks to our outstanding grubmaster.
The campfire was the highlight of the evening. The older scouts worked hard on the event by preparing a large fire and planning the event. The rest of the scouts went on a night hike and arrived to the amphitheatre seeing the bon fire a blaze. Torches by Alex and Damien led them in. Colby emceed the event and did a great job as usual. We had several good jokes, skits and the song by our SPL (Jonathan) and ASPL (SAM) that will always be remembered(Don't Stop Believing by Journey). Scouts were awarded for their efforts of the day. Notable awards were the Broken String Broken Nose Award for Nash, Leadership Awards for Jonathan and Sam and the coveted Scouting Spirit award for Connor Smith. We closed with Thorns and Roses and a flag retirement ceremony both long time traditions of our troop. We quietly left campfire as the embers burned down and went back to retire ourselves. We were tired after the eventful day.
Sunday morning we competed again on the lashing events after breakfast. It was great to see the new scout patrols working as a team. There was significant improvement in one day. Colby led a beautiful Chapel Service and we were soon on the road home.
The Games weekend 2007 will be forever remembered as the Flaming Games weekend because of the fire. I will remember it for these other great things:
1) The leadership demonstrated by our SPL, ASPL and older scouts,
2) The excitement and the attitude of our new scouts and their parents as they embraced the winning tradition of 168,
3) The great campfire emceed by Colby,
4) The shooting instructor's and parent's efforts pulling together the resources for a gun's and arrow's fun and,
5) The involvement and positive attitude of our new parents.
The scouts new and old grew taller this weekend. It appears the greatness of Troop 168 is safe and will continue.