This year, from Sunday, June 19, to Saturday, June 25, Troop 344 stayed at S-F Ranch where we camped, cooked, ate, swam, fished, and worked on merit badges during summer camp. Our first day was full of many things, including a roughly 2 hour drive, orientation, a swim test, the only staff made meal of the week, spaghetti dinner, and opening campfire, which sent us off to bed with its remarkably catchy Camp Gamble song. Monday, however, was where the true action started, kicking of the start of merit badges and patrol cooking, both of which were accomplished with relative success by our troop. The afternoon was brightened by going to Hucks Cove, a huge waterpark on the other side of the lake that turned out to be a ton of fun. It was a great beginning, and although the younger scouts were still adjusting to camp life, it set the stage for a great week.
Tuesday brought with it more fun as merit badges progressed and cooking had an appetizing improvement, all under the weight of the scorching heat. Thankfully, we were able to cool off that evening with a canoe adventure on the water, in which we made it nearly across the entire lake! After turning back and storing our canoes, we were off to bed, whether it be in our beloved campsite, Francis, or behind the riflery range for the wilderness survival overnight. Wednesday was met with anticipation and excitement as many scouts began making progress on rank advancemant as well as merit badges, and once again, cooking continued to improve as the patrols leaned into their strengths and began to work as a team better. A memorable jumbalaya dinner was followed by an even more memorable “LAKESIDE LUAU!!” that was full of competitions, races, games, and tournaments on the beach of sunny Camp Gamble, and was topped off by a thrilling scoutmaster bellyflop! It was definitely a camp highlight and loads of fun that sent our troop spiraling off to sleep with a smile.
Thursday was a big day of accomplishment for our troop, as an early breakfast slipped into the serious tone of Order of the Arrow (OA) elections. This year’s candidates were Carson Lee, Sahil Chatwal, Nathan King, Fernando Del Sid, Lucas Sindler, Ethan Stuteville, Andrew Thomadsen, Ryan Thomadsen, and James Hellman, who were accompanied by Mr. Keys, who was an adult candidate. After voting in the morning, the entire day was full of nervous excitement and worry, but despite that, many scouts finished merit badges and had a very productive day before the evening, which brought parent visitor night! There was an excellent turnout for this night, and the whole camp was full of “outside world” food and tales of catching giant catfish, cooking said giant catfish, and then eating said giant catfish. The night, however, quickly turned to a mood of matter and silence as the OA ceremony began. We all lined up, hopeful and nervous, as one by one, members were inducted into Scouting’s honor society. The night ended with a burst of pride and acheivement as every single member of our troop was chosen. It truly was a fantastic night for our troop.
Friday we woke up with all nine new OA members gone, having slept overnight wherever they do (shhhhh, it’s a secret), but we were soon greeted by their familiar faces right in time for breakfast. This day was a catch up day for missed activities and progression, so it was far more relaxed and slow paced than many previous days. As the troop conducted themselves like a well oiled machine, new OA members began to think about their ordeal, and overall it was a great day, even if many older scouts got stuck at Huck’s Cove. That night, the senior patrol and parents thanked us for cooking for them during the week with a delicious meal of pulled pork, the happiness from which was carried over into closing campfire, once again ending an amazing week on the Camp Gamble song. Saturday was bittersweet as the prospect of home appealed to many but the idea of leaving saddened many others, especially those who would not be returning. Packing up and police lines were followed by the drive home, every car now filled with bright and shiny memories, that, although they will grow old, will never be lost.
Troop 344 