Full Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dT2QBF9ZR3kdT1JQ7
Day 1:
Troop 2319 arrived safely and toward the front of the in-processing line. Usually it takes two and a half hours to do medical check-in, but today was only 22 minutes due to dropping the forms off early. Orientation and camp set up went smoothly, but the opening campfire was curtailed after 20 minutes when the rain came down heavily. Add / Drop went as well as could be expected. We did not get extra slots for welding or water skiing, but did get 7 extra slots for the Ocoee whitewater trip. All is well.
-Col. Tom
Day 2:
We had a wet night. Two and a half inches of rain and 18 mph winds were a struggle to sleep through, but the weather today was a perfect 70 and sunshine. Classes began in the morning with some minor adjustments. The 1st Aid MB in camp is half finished. Only the practical hands on tasks remain. 8 Scouts went on the river today. The water was running faster, but there were fewer rapids due to the rain raising the water levels. Lots of individual free time in the afternoon. An Appalachian Folkfest after dinner and an overnight canoe trip for some.
-Col. Tom Welch
Day 3:
We had perfect weather again today. The 12 who went on the canoe overnighter paddled in across the lake just before breakfast making an idealic setting. Classes continued and we finished the 1st Aid merit badge. It was a big day for mail. I looked like Santa with a bulging bag of packages. We even had the chance to sing happy birthday to a special Scout. Every one scattered for afternoon activities. The Order of the Arrow had a social after dinner and then everyone pretty much went to the spoof merit badge on Scooby-Doo.
-Col. Tom
Day 4:
Classes continued. It kept threatening to rain all day until it finally opened up in the afternoon. A lot of bonding and cards under the tarps, but not much other activity. Xan has us very close to earning Honor Troop with Traditions. We are well on track. Tonight the first year Scouts went on a 5-mile hike for advancement. The older Scouts went repelling, worked on Honor Troop, went swimming and/ or attended the flag retirement among other things. Not a bad hump day.
-Col. Tom
Day 5:
What a great day! The merit badges are almost complete. It took a while but the Troop is firing on all cylinders. Looks like we will earn Honor Troop with Scouting Traditions. The boys are working really hard. A special shout out to Mason Cox who has us in the running for the Silver Spoon Award (cleanest eating area in the dining hall) thru his diligence as our chowmaster. Most of the boys had off camp activities today, either a raft trip on one of the rivers or a horseback ride. Lots of smiles and adventure stories. We will publish the link to get rafting photos after we get home from camp. Tonight’s special activity is open boating, but we have also been detailed for a shower house cleaning. All set for a big finish tomorrow. Home on Saturday.
-Col Tom
Day 6:
For the final day of camp, scouts finished up their remaining merit badges, adults watched and cheered on campers participating in the Mile Swim, and a camp wide cardboard boat race was taken on.. We didn’t win, not even close, but the scouts had fun and that’s what counts! The night was finished off with closing campfire and picking up an absolute mountain of advancement materials to sort and enter!
Final Stats!
