(Story by Ben)
On Sunday, June 14, 25 scouts from Troop 344 went to Camp Gamble for Summer Camp. We stayed at our usual Francis Campsite. We did not have to pitch any tents as they were already pitched. We had spaghetti next to the commissary and then went to starting campfire which was very enjoyable with many skits and some talks about how camp will work.
On Monday morning, we started our patrol method cooking and made breakfast. We started our merit badges that morning. The afternoon was free time, where you could go to the shooting range, swimming or boating, or just stay around at camp.
One highlight on Monday was Huck’s Cove, the Camp Gamble version of a water park. It has two slides, a rope swing, a zipline and some other water activities including monkey bars and water volleyball. Our Troop rode a pontoon to Huck’s Cove on Monday afternoon. It was a lot of fun.
Tuesday was similar to Monday. On Tuesday night, we went canoeing as a troop next to Swift Lodge. Some kids went to a survival skills campout for the merit badge that evening and slept in the open air.
The special thing on Wednesday night was the Water Olympics. Troops competed in water events including the triathlon (kayaking, swimming and running), a ring toss, and sandcastle building. Reilly won the Limbo Contest! At the end of the Olympics, there was a Scoutmaster Belly Flop Competition. Mr. King did a great job!
Thursday was the last day of regular merit badges. We had dinner with our families and enjoyed eating food that they brought and we didn’t have to cook. We gave them a tour of camp. We had an OA selection Thursday night. OA is the Brotherhood of Scouting for cheerful service. Congratulations to Jonathan Villmer who was selected by our Troop to join OA!
On Friday, we did our Friday only merit badges which took longer, and makeups for merit badges missed earlier in the week. We concluded Friday with closing campfire, which had more fun skits and ended with the Gamble song. The Knight Arrows / Trailblazers patrol won the week of Patrol Cooking. They won a flint and steel kit.
Troop 344 