Camporee recap, Backpacking in March

The 2011 Vulcan District Camporee at Tannehill State Park was our best yet as far back as you can go..There were more than 400 Scouts and leaders in attendance from all of the Troop and Packs in the District (Largest in the Council-third largest in the US). We had a total of 81 Scouts, WEBELOS, and leaders/parents present and won more ribbons than anytime in our past. Thanks to Mr. Simon all of the pictures are posted on the Troop Web site at this time. Please take a look at them.

Thanks to Mr. Madison,. Mr. Branin, Mrs. Kidd, and Mr. Young we had our site reserved and the Canopy and many tents already set up. Thanks to Mr. Morrow, we used a gas/charcoal trailer cooker in order prepare breakfast for he WEBELOS (mountainman) and Grilled hot dogs for everyone for everyone for lunch.

Thanks to the earlier preparation by Mr, Young and Mr. Simon, The Troop won Blue ribbons for WOK cooking ( a three-course meal) and Back Pack Cooking, First Place blue ribbon and "most patrols participated" in cake baking (nine cakes entered by the boys), all the patrol won ribbons for activities during the day including first place for the pancake flip. Thanks to Mr. Crabtree and Mr. Lepianka and the other leaders for assuring the boys moved as patrols and competed in most of the competitions. The Troop competed in Foil Cooking, back pack cooking ,Wok Cooking, and Dutch oven cooking competitions and won a total of six ribbons. The WEBELOS also picked put Ribbons in several of their competitive events also.

Thank to Mr. Gunn and Mr. Madison for assuring all our camping gear was maximally utilized, set up, and taken down after use.

This year, for the first time in the Camporee past twenty-five year and more. history, the Troop assured the new Order of the Arrow, Nunne-Hi Chapter Drum was used ...thanks to Mrs. Kidd for transporting it to and from the event. P Kidd, E Kidd, M Gunn, N Bolding, S Hardy, and Mrs. Hardy and Mr. Lepianka made sure the crew had the volume, tempo, beat, voice control, and resonance for several practices and a demonstration for the entire at the encampment at the Camporee camp fire that night.

Thanks also to Dr. Nelson for assuring the Troop Monkey Bridge was set up Saturday, once the parts were all transported by Mr. Eggers Friday night.

Thanks to Mr and Mrs Eggers for assuring all the purchase and preparation for all the WEBELO meals during the weekend.

Not finally, thanks to Mr. Greg Stocks, Nevin Cox, and Chris Turner for coordinating the gathering and assuring the ease of all the participation in all the WEBELO competitions/activities with their parents during the entire weekend.

The weather was the warmest and most comfortable in the past twenty years, w/no rain or a threat of the same. We just had a great time a complete adventure as could be had in two nights and day that close to home.

If your son was at the Camporee, he needs to be at the Hut Monday, February 21, at 6:30 PM PM to take down and store equipment. Uniform not required..The more we have the quicker we leave.

If he is a patrol leader and assistant patrol leader he needs to be present for the Patrol Leader's Conference, starting at 7:00 PM..uniform not required..he should also be there for the equipment take down and storage.

The Troop Commitee meeting starts at 8A:00 PM...If you are not a member, plan to attend and join us for some Troop business...

Back packing is coming up the first weekend in March..he should have a compactable sleeping bag by now for this as well as a light weight sleeping pad, back packing footgear, and whatever else he feels required...we will be going to he Pinhoti Trail near Anniston..a relatively flat hike...We will take the bus and will require on vehicle to tow one of our trailers w/our gear.

Thanks for all you support and for encouraging attendance....

YiS Dan S. "Delivering the Promise"