Camporee
Shannon King, Charity Director
I’ve written about volunteering quite a bit in my previous blogs. One way that I volunteer is through Boy Scouts of America. Scouting has become very important in my life as well as the lives of my two boys. I give an average of ten days a month, plus preparation time, to the scouting program. I’m a Den Leader, Committee Member, and in past years I’ve also been the Outdoor Chair in our Cub Scout Pack. I also volunteer in my older son’s Boy Scout Troop as a Committee Member and Assistant Scout Master.
Over the weekend, we attended my favorite event of the year (next to summer camp of course), Camporee! I LOVE Camporee! Camporee is the showcase of Scouting. It is weekend of camping, skill, and growth that can be attended by Scouts starting at the Cub Scout WEBELOS level. WEBELOS (We’ll Be Loyal Scouts) is a two-year program for boys who are in the fourth and fifth grades. Camporee is a fantastic introduction into life as a Boy Scout and gives the youth an opportunity to mingle with older Scouts as well as test the skills that they have learned so far along their Scouting journey.
What is Camporee? The Camporee Guide summs it up fantastically. “A camporee is many things—camping fun for youth, the thumping of hundreds of feet on the way to an evening campfire, and the blue smoke from fires cooking stew or ham and eggs. It’s the patter of rain on many tents at night. It’s the ripple of wind-blown flags in the morning sun. It’s catching the idea of teamwork in a patrol. It’s learning to carry out an order to help the team succeed.”
The Troops arrive on Friday evening and receive their campsite designations. Each Troop is broken down into smaller units of eight to ten boys called a Patrol. Each Patrol is led by a Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader. During Camporee, the boys will act independently as a Patrol. The Patrol will select their camp site within their assigned designated camping location. There are many things to take into consideration when choosing your spot such as sun exposure, water, hazards, slopes etc. This will be their first test of the weekend.
Parents will leave the boys and camp in a different location. We are discouraged from interacting with the boys so that they are independently acting as a unit and making their own decisions while learning to act as a unit. This gives them a completely self-sufficient for a self-reliant experience over a period of two or three days. Once the boys have chosen their location for the weekend they will transport all the unit’s gear, pitch their tents, and check their equipment. Patrols will check in for uniform inspection and attend the opening ceremonies. Hundreds of Scouts will gather under the stars and around the campfire in uniform with Patrol flags for opening flag ceremonies, instructions, and songs.
The following morning Scouts must cook their own breakfast, clean their camp site, pass camp site inspections, and attend morning flags. Now on to the competition! Throughout the day Patrols will make their way to all of the different stations testing their Scouting skills. Parent volunteers of the participating Troops execute each station. The boys are scored in areas of skill, knowledge of Scout history, leadership, and Scout / Patrol Spirit. Each Patrol is expected to carry their Patrol flag and to give their Patrol yell or call with enthusiasm and Patrol Spirit. This year’s activities included Citizenship, Fire Building, Scout Golf, Knife and Axe, First Aid, Blindfolded Tent, Knots and Lashings, Orienteering, and Physical Fitness.
The evening concludes at the campfire. Families are welcome to attend. The evening campfire includes event awards, songs, skits, flag retirement, and an induction ceremony for Order of the Arrow (OA).
OA is the Honor Society of scouting. To be considered for nomination, a Scout must meet the following requirements. He needs to be at least thirteen years of age and have obtained a rank of at least 1st Class. He must have at least fifteen nights of camping within two years which must include at least one long term resident camp and be nominated for membership by his Troop. The Scouts that have had their nomination accepted are called forward for induction to begin their ten-month Ordeal Membership. During this time, they will need to meet additional requirements before being fully inducted with Brotherhood Membership into the Order of the Arrow.
Following the close of the evening ceremonies camper will make their way back to their campsites to crash for the night. Boy, was I tired!!! Sunday morning consists of one last breakfast, camp teardown, site cleanup, and Scouts’ Own.
Scouts’ Own is a short, usually about fifteen minutes, interfaith service run by the Scouts. Service may include a song such as God Bless America, scripture reading, and a quote from a founder of scouting. Readings usually center around a theme that relates to a portion of the Scout Law.
Boy Scouting is such a fantastic program for boys. As a mother of two young boys in a modern world, I rest easier knowing that my sons are growing up with other boys and adults with similar values and goals. They are always reminded with the Scout Law how to lead a strong and true life of integrity. I always remind them that if they are ever in a situation and they aren’t sure if the next course of action is a good choice to test it against the Scout Law. If your actions are in alignment with the Scout Law than you can always feel good them.
The Scout Law
A Scout is Trustworthy
A Scout is Loyal
A Scout is Helpful
A Scout is Friendly
A Scout is Courteous
A Scout is Kind
A Scout is Obedient
A Scout is Cheerful
A Scout is Thrifty
A Scout is Brave
A Scout is Clean
A Scout is Reverent
