Spring camporee challenges Scouts' pioneering, team-building skills

Troop 50 returned to Chewacla State Park's Civilian Conservation Corps Campsite for the Saugahatchee District's annual Frank Horky Spring Camporee. The troop joined five other troops and more than 120 Scouts and leaders from both the Saugahatchee and Muskogee Districts.

Because the threat of rain kept most troops at home Friday night, Troop 50 spent a quiet evening in camp before getting up Saturday to welcome the arrival of its newest Boy Scouts, who recently joined from area Cub Scout packs, as well as to ready for the competitive events of the day.

Troop 50 Scouts recover one of the
"injured" during the emergency
preparedness drill.

Some Scouts participated in the morning's emergency preparedness drill, which included a mock troop mobilization and first aid exercise.

After lunch, the troop's two patrols competed in a variety of events testing Scouts' team-work skills while vying for the coveted Spring Camporee kudu horn.

Creighton tosses the tomahawk.

In addition to the Tomahawk Toss, which Troop 50 ran, other events included:

John competes in the Bow Saw Relay

Bow Saw Relay, where Scouts used a bow saw correctly to cut a given number of wood medallions in the shortest amount of time.

Robert leads the knot-tying portion of the Log Lift.

Log Lift, where Scouts created a rope-and-pulley system to lift a log off the ground a certain height and hold for a given amount of time.

The Turn Up Patrol attempts to help Louie "walk" the A-Frame.

A-Frame Walk, where Scouts used a lashed-together “A-Frame” and a system of ropes to "walk" a given distance in the shortest amount of time.

The Turn Ups safely deliver the hot isotope to the safe zone.

Hot Isotope, requiring Scouts to move an item from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time using ropes, bungee cords, and coordinated teamwork.

The patrol discusses strategy before beginning the Portage Race.

Portage Race, through which Scouts toted a canoe and other given equipment through a pre-established course in the shortest amount of time.

Senior Patrol Leader William helps ready a lashed-together tripod
before the start of the campsite inspection.

Campsite Inspection, where organization, cleanliness, and camping best-practices were evaluated and scored.

Dutch Oven Cookoff, where Scouts' cast-iron culinary skills were put to the (taste) test.

Animal Tracking, where Scouts tried to identify as many animal tracks as possible.

While some of the troop departed to participate in the Pack 29 Arrow of Light Crossover Ceremony, others remained at the camporee to attend the awards campfire. The troop was recognized for a third-place finish in the Campsite Inspection, and the Turn Up Patrol placed first in the Bow Saw Relay and second in the Hot Isotope event.

The troop reassembled after the campfire and crossover ceremony, settled in for the evening, and then the rain set in! Scouts and leaders awoke Sunday morning after several hours of rain, which continued through the time the troop departed camp. While rain marked the end to the second campout in a row, Scouts and leaders noted during the Patrol Leaders Council the following Monday evening that challenges such as those help the troop better prepare for future events. The PLC members also praised how everyone worked together as a team in the events, especially in welcoming our newest Scouts. To better prepare the newer Scouts and sharpen skills for seasoned Scouts, the next several troop meetings will focus on camping equipment, menu planning and food preparation, and other camping-related Scout skills.

Find more photos and video from the Spring Camporee in the troop's online photo album.

We are family

This evening, Troop 50 continued its work toward completing Family Life Merit Badge. The merit badge, which is among those Scouts are required to earn as they work toward the rank of Eagle, teaches Scouts to recognize the important role they serve in their families, the benefits of healthy family conversation, how Scouts can help solve family problems and avoid conflict, and how Scouts can better serve their families through regular chores and special projects.

Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford led the merit badge session. Several Webelos Scouts visited the troop meeting with intentions to cross over in April also sat in for the merit badge discussion.

Following the merit badge class, Scouts brushed up on their knot-tying skills through modeling the "EDGE" — Explaining, Demonstrating, Guiding, and Enabling — method. Senior Patrol Leader William worked with Webelos Scouts on basic knots like the square knot and bowline, while Scoutmaster Andrew Baird worked with older Scouts on advanced knots like the sheet bend and hurricane bowline.

'Far-flung' idea becomes ScoutFest hit!

When most folks think of Boy Scouts, visions of camping, campfires and knot-tying come to mind. So, when Scouts suggested during the March Patrol Leaders Council that Troop 50 combine pioneering and lashings with the science of a trebuchet, more than a few eyebrows raised. But, thanks for the trebuchet experience and ingenuity of leaders Jim Perry and Wade Daniel, this far-flung idea became a reality as part of the April 27 ScoutFest, part of the City of Auburn’s 2013 Auburn CityFest.


The idea is simple, but the science of angles, force and counterweights – which dates back to the Middle Ages – may not always be an easy one to grasp. Scouts envisioned an exhibit that would allow participants to witness bot the ingenuity of Scouting with some if the organization’s basic tenets like knot-tying and pioneering. Visitors to Saturday’s display found on a pioneered, camp gadget-style table a homemade trebuchet capable of firing a football more than 20 feet through a lashed-together goal post. As the day went on, Scouts experimented with other projectiles, such as tennis balls and rubber balls given away at the event by Chick-fil-a. Scouts learned how to effectively adjust the trebuchet’s firing angles to compensate for changing weights and to allow for throwing farther distances.

ScoutFest also included two sessions of “Are You Tougher than a Boy Scout?” based on the National Geographic Channel’s recent series. The ScoutFest sessions, like the television series, pitted Scouts vs. adults to demonstrate which team had a greater command of Scout skills and knowledge. Andrew and Davis represented Troop 50 well in the morning and afternoon sessions, respectively. Check out video on Saugahatchee District's Facebook page or YouTube channel.

The troop had a great showing for the day with a majority of the troop’s Scouts – including several of our newest additions – helping throughout the day! Check out more photos and video in our online photo album or Facebook page.

All tied up!

Troop 50 Scouts, at our March 4 meeting, focused on knot tying -- older Scouts concentrated on practicing lashings, while our younger Scouts worked with Scout-mentors on basic knots. Scouts were reminded that, together, basic knots and advanced lashings have a multitude of uses, from everyday remedies when gear or equipment needs to be secured, to life-saving and first-aid applications, to creating functional campsite gadgets and tools.

At the end of the meeting, Troop 50 celebrated another milestone: presenting its first rank advancement. Scoutmaster Andrew Baird presented Josh with his Scout rank -- the first advancement step on the Trail to Eagle!