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December 2005 - Climbing Campout
Upper Limits & YMCA - Bloomington, IL (December 10-11) | Show Gym | Show YMCA
The scouts enjoyed a two and a half hour ride to get to Bloomington. We went to the Upper Limits climbing
facility and learned several climbing knots, how to belay, how to rappel, and how to climb. After a whole day
of climbing we went to the Bloomington YMCA where we had a lock-in. We enjoyed movies, basketball, racquetball,
swimming, and best of all, pizza! With so much to do, we actually had a good night sleeping with about 20 air
cushions under us and the next morning went home. On the way home we enjoyed some Krispie Kreme donuts for breakfast.
Map from Church to Climbing Gym
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October 2005 - Three Fires Council Ranchoree
Three Fires Scout Ranch - Rochelle, IL (October 14-16) | Show Camp
The last campout was the Ranchoree, October 14-16, 2005 at the Three Fires Scout Ranch in Rochelle, IL.
The Scouts worked on Orienteering, Geocaching, Cooking, Team Building, First Aid, Knots, Lashings, Backpacking, and
many other Scout Skills. The Cheetahs patrol won the entire camp wide competition and the Scorpion patrol won the Golden Skillet
Map from Church to Camp
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June 2005 - Dunes Campout
Indiana Dunes State Park - Chesterton, IN (June 10-11)
Wet and Wild (and sandy) was the theme for the June campout to Indiana Dunes State Park. Nineteen scouts and seven Dads
camped at the picnic pavilion because Mr. Swanson absentmindedly reserved the group campsite for the wrong weekend!
However, the kind and compassionate Park Rangers permitted us to camp in one of the remote picnic areas. It turned out to
be a great location with plenty of space, a pavilion, and the added bonus of being within walking distance of HOT showers.
Saturday's activities started with a heart-pumping march up the giant sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan. After
reaching the pinnacle, we used GPS technology to hunt for a tree that legend says resembles a wildebeest but, alas, the
burning rays of the sun heated the group to the point where a vote was taken and a unanimous decision was made to run
(or sled) down the dunes back to the cool waters of the lake.
Another hike ensued along the shore past civilian swimmers and sunbathers to a secret creek in which the scouts hiked upstream
until they reached a natural slide made of mud and clay in which the braver souls slid and frolicked. A post swim in the chilly
waters of the lake (53° F) cooled and cleansed the scouts until hunger drove all back to the encampment.
After dinner and sunset, another hike was taken through the dense woods and dunes only lit by the moon. After reaching the
lake, we walked to the public beach where a local astronomy club had their telescopes set up and invited us to gaze at stars and planets.
We came, we saw, we conquered!
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May 2005 - Biking/Hiking Campout
Kettle Moraine State Forest - Eagle, WI (May 20-22)
The weather cooperated this year, and so did the boys. :)
39 scouts attended the May campout, along with 16 adult leaders.
The crews training for Philmont 2005 (12 scouts and 6 adults) camped separately from the younger boys, but joined us both Friday and Saturday evenings for fellowship and fun.
As usual, it was already rather late on Friday evening by the time we arrived at our destination, the Kettle Moraine State Forest near Eagle Wisconsin, and prepared to set up camp. Several scouts and leaders explored the area in the dark, and everyone picked out choice spots to pitch their tents. By the time we had all the tents pitched, and enjoyed a little evening snack, it was midnight. Sleep tight.
We awakened on Saturday morning to the busy sounds of pots and pans being banged around as eager young scouts began to prepare their breakfast. The smell of bacon quickly filled the air. Mmmmm. After a good breakfast, and a little cleaning up, we were off to the trails. 27 scouts and 10 adults mounted up on bicycles rented from Backyard Bikes and Ski shop in La Grange Wisconsin, and we were off to the John Muir Trails just a short ride to the north.
To get things started and to warm up a little, we began with the least difficult trail. For most of the scouts, and probably the adults too, this was the first time they had ever been on a mountain biking trail. It took a little getting used to.
The first trail was the 'Red' trail, which was a relatively easy 2 mile loop. After conquering the 'easy' trail, and brimming with confidence, most of the scouts set off to tackle the more difficult and longer 'White' and 'Orange' trails. Alas, a few scouts returned to the 'Red' trail for more practice. :) All of the trails began and ended at a central location, which made it easy to switch between them, and regroup occasionally to compare notes and trade partners.
After a couple of hours, we paused for lunch. After lunch, most of the scouts returned to the 'Red', 'White', and 'Orange' trails. A few scouts and a couple adults however, moved on to the longest 'Blue' and 'Green' trails. Perhaps they were truly confident in their skill level, but I believe it is more likely they just took a wrong turn. It was hours before we saw them again. :)
By mid-afternoon, we had all had enough. A few of the scouts had theories about the color coding of the trails corresponding to color of our bottoms. I think there may have been some merit to those theories. We returned the bikes, and returned to camp for a well deserved, and well prepared dinner. After dinner, several of the scouts played Capture the Flag until it became too dark to see each other. Eventually everyone gathered around a campfire for a second evening of fellowship. Funny thing.... I think most of the adults who were biking during the day remained standing, while most of the adults who were hiking sat down. Coincidence? Probably not.
By midnight on the second night, everyone was pretty well exhausted, and once again sleep came easily. It was raining lightly when we awoke on Sunday morning, so we packed up quickly and had a little breakfast before ending with the traditional Friendship Circle and heading for home.
All told, I think it was a successful and enjoyable weekend. I look forward to doing it again next year.
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April 2005 - Cooking Campout
Waterfall Glens - Darien, WI (April 22-24)
The theme for this first outing for the new scouts who joined in February was cooking. The fastest way to any new (or old for that matter) scouts heart is through his stomach. This is the first overnighter for the new scouts, so it was Saturday night only to try and ease the new guys into the whole camping thing. The temperature Saturday night went down to the low 40's.... So much for easing them into camping. The outing took place at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve at 91st and Cass Avenue.
Troop 510 is a boy led troop, but this is where the older scouts and the adults can teach (show off) on the different kinds of cooking methods in the outdoors. After a lunch demonstration on Saturday the Patrols got together to have a cook off which was judged by the older scouts and the adults.
After the morning arrival of the new scouts (the older scouts camped Friday to set up and prepare for the new scouts) camp was set up. Then we cooked and ate. The menu for lunch consisted of:
- Three chickens cooked in a bucket (the colonels last stand)
- Reeds Southern Jambalaya
- Dutch Oven Pizza
- Five different kinds of "C O B L A" (cobbler)
After lunch we went on a five mile hike lead by one of Troop 510's Eagle Scouts Mr. Rick K. The old and new scouts hiked down to the waterfall and back. This built up an appetite for supper. The Patrols got together to cook up some predetermined menu selections. The new scouts got to help out cooking each masterpiece for the judges. For desert, the adults cooked five different kinds of "Cobla". Judging from the requests of the scouts to have the tin foil the deserts were cooked in split up among them to lick them clean, I think they liked "Cobla".
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