The Patrol Method
Troop 168 simply won it all.
With the callout of the Order of the Arrow Troop 168 left to Worth Ranch heading straight into a severe storm and a near miss with a tornado. Some troops waited until morning. Were they scared of the weather or were they scared of Troop 168?
Troop 168 had two new scout patrols the Invading Vikings and the White Wolves. We had one-second year patrol in the Fighting Irish. We had numerous older scouts participating. New scouters and the old regime all present and accounted for. It was sad to see the Rocky Mountain Gophers split to never compete again. Several of those boys never lost at camporee for 4 years of competitions. Overall I believe we were the largest contingent of scouts for Troop 168 at camporee.
After we drove through the storms we arrived at camp "Old Man Gillespie". It was on top of the hill near the ranges and events. It was a welcome site to see a campsite set up and functioning. Mr. Mundlin had set out earlier and brought along the SPL and ASPL to get camp set up. It was a welcome site to see a large campfire because the weather had started to cool.
There was a scoutmasters and SPL meeting at the dining hall. Nothing new was mentioned. We got an overview of the events of the next day. We headed back to camp and after crackerbarrel we went to bed to rest up for the big weekend. The wind started to blow.
And blow.
It seemed to get cooler and windier. Our new scouts performed opening flag ceremony and despite the gale force winds they held on and did an admiral ceremony. It maybe the largest flag pole and flag we have ever dealt with. It was an awesome site.
The games began on schedule and the boys from 168 could be seen and heard as they marched to events. We had compliments all day long about our scouts and how they display such character. The older scouts were divided into other patrols with other troops to compete as patrols. They participated in team building events.
At lunch we met and discussed the progress of the day. Scouts re-hydrated and we discussed strategy. We knew the games would soon be over. This was time for our fourth quarter push.
The wind blew and finally the games were complete. We trudged back to camp and discussed the greatness of the day. All had fun and many successes. We built a large fire and gathered around and discussed the day. It was a great day. Several scouts hiked above camp to Lookout Point on Kell Mountain. It was a panoramic view of Worth Ranch and the Brazos River. Unbelievable!
The grubmasters made a great meal of spaghetti and salad. We regained our strength and proceeded to closing flag ceremony and call out by the OA. Flag was a little better because the wind died down a little. Campfire immediately followed. Spectacular view with an ordinary program. Tough to have a campfire with no fire. Our Fighting Irish did win over all protecting the tradition of 168. Our troop number is the only one on the plaque. Our new scout patrols won first and second overall. They were awarded first place to a patrol that had 2nd year scouts and scout guides participating in the events. We know that we won. Our older scouts that participated had a great time and I am especially proud of their attitude. I appreciate the older scouts that helped with the new scout patrols during the events.
The Call out Ceremony by the Order of the Arrow.
Or to us old scouts the tapout ceremony. Rick Mauk and the OA did a grand job especially without fire. It was a big night for Troop 168. We had 12 candidates and one no show. We were led by our Trooop Committee Chairman Bob Mundlin, Jonathan and Patrick Mundlin, Sam Wagnon, Alex Diamond, Jeremy Jordan, Nick Mrasek, Mark and Luke McKinney, Chad Smith and Evyn Perry. Colby Edson had a star role in the ceremony as Wise Mateau. If you had a chance to listen to the litany that rolled off Colby's tongue you would have been impressed. He did that in front of 400 scouts and his on troop. And without a hitch I might add. We are all our proud of Colby. The OA event was nearly over and we still had 5 scouts to tap out. It was almost concluded then Jordan Mauk yelled "Wait!" The runners were called back and Sam, Alex and the rest were tapped out. I have to admit I liked the drama but I am sure Sam and the rest did not did not.
Overall it was another great year and a success story for Troop 168. Thanks to the leadership of our SPL Jonathan Mundlin and our campmaster Eric Grass. Thanks to our grubmaster Paul Perry and his many assistants. Thanks for Mr. Mundlin for hauling our trailer and Mr. White for doing what he always does. Thanks To Mr. Edson for coordinating our event. I appreciate the help of the new scout parents. We have an excellent group of new parent leaders arising.
What will I remember about this weekend?
Colby Edson as Wise Mateau.
The "Wait " yell by Jordan Mauk calling back the runners.
The Invading Vikings and White Wolves victory at camporee.
The Fighting Irish victory as the best in the Lakeview District.
The storm on the way out before camporee
The new scout patrols and their excellence in skills, attitude and performance.
Watching our new scouts and old scouts around the campfire melding into a new troop.
The awesome view from Kell mountain.
Losing scouts to grow up and move on was never in my thoughts when I took on scoutmaster.
The scouts we lose this year to graduation never to compete with us again are:
Kenneth Stone, Connor Perry, Charlie Hope and Mark McKinney.
I salute you.
Mr Wagnon