Shoot-O-Rama

Derek S.

September 15^th-13^th is a weekend I am sure none of our Scouts will forget. Shoot O Rama, the name is self- explanatory, was held at Camp Easton. This was a Council wide camporee, but because it was a new event, they kept the number down to about one hundred boys. The event was split into these sections: rifle, archery, shotgun, black powder rifles, knife and tomahawk throwing, and BB guns. Furthermore, at each section there was an instructor who would teach us different things about firearms. For example, at the tomahawk and knife range, Troop 201’s own Mr. Wood talked about gun safety, gun storage and the parts of a gun. The scouts were split into different groups of 10 on this campout, not by patrol or troop like normal. Most people were put in groups with people they did not know. However in our troop, since we had fifteen boys, ten boys were in a group of just Troop 201 members. The rest of us were put in a group with the five members of Troop 228 and their adult leaders, this was my group. Once you were at a station five boys would shoot and the other five would listen to the instructor (most of the boys fought over who could shoot first.) At the end of the week, when asked what they enjoyed the most, most of the boys agreed that the black powder rifles were the most fun. That was my favorite station too. Not only did they let us shoot the guns, they also taught you the process of how to load the gun. Personally, when I shot the gun, I felt like one of the minutemen firing at the British soldiers. When asked what they least enjoyed they said BB gun. I agreed with them on that one too. BB gun shooting is how my group ended our day at the event and it was rather anti-climatic. However, it was a great campout and for those who went, I’m sure they made great memories. I know I did