Scout-O-Rama!!!!

Article Submitted by Seth F.

April 29-May 1

      When most of the troop arrived at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds Friday afternoon, the Dining Fly and the adult tent were already set up. After we set up most of the tents, all of us got started on the gateway and the monkey bridge. We managed to finish the monkey bridge, thanks to good cooperation of the troop. After it got dark, we marched single-file to the arena where the Order of the Arrow call-out was held (you could hear the drums a mile away). Each troop’s number was called along with the boys that were elected, from troop 201; we had Scott, Jesse, and Anthony. The new O.A. members were taken to a Cracker Barrel. Mr. Peterson drew us in closer and gave us a very emotional speech about the good of scouts (which included a couple of songs, by the way). After which we had free time until lights-out.

      It was bright and early (and chilly) for the troop Saturday morning. So right away we went straight to the Food Court for a pancake, egg, and sausage breakfast. After breakfast, the troop gathered together and finished the gateway (which was quite enormous I might add). All the scouts and adults raised the gateway with the American flag and our troop flag, which was awesome. Then, all the patrols broke up and started working on their camp gadgets. At about 10:00, everyone gathered in the main field to witness a helicopter land to announce that the activities were open. What a way to introduce it! After all the patrols had finished their gadgets, we opened the monkey bridge and boy was it popular. All the patrols took turns attending to it so that no one got hurt. When the other patrols weren't tending to the monkey bridge, they were usually off exploring the Scout-O-Rama. 10 troops from Old Mission attended Scout-O-Rama. In the Scout-O-Rama, most of the troops set up activities like our monkey bridge. Troop 911 had a fire safety house. Troop 202 had a bean-bag toss. There was also a blacksmith camp set up by Troop 218. There were lots of other activities such as an Easter egg hunt, an obstacle course, and even a talking robot! Inside the main building, the Weblos and Cub Scout packs had activities, too. There was a Pinewood Derby tournament, hunting simulation, and lots of other activities. At 3:00, the award presenters came by and tied the ribbons to the gateways. Of course, we won first place for our gateway. Also, we received a ribbon for participation.

      At about 4:00 we took down the monkey bridge and gateway. It was a shame to see them go. We had free time for a couple of hours then, while we were cooking dinner, a massive storm hurtled in out of nowhere! No lie! It took us a few minutes to stake everything down (the tents looked like they were going to get blown away). After dinner, we baked cherry pies, and, man, were they good! We had free time for the rest of the night, and then we all went to bed.

      Sunday, we woke up extra early. There wasn't a second to waste, so we broke camp WHILE we ate breakfast (which I wasn't too happy about). After we broke camp, we did a police line, then we loaded into our cars, and went back to the Scout Shack while others were picked up at the fairgrounds. When everyone got back to the Scout Shack (or most of everyone), we unloaded the trailer and hung the tents up to dry. This was another awesome campout, but it was very busy, too.