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The Scorpion Patrol's
Wagons West Experience
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Chris B. , Kenny B. and Chris K. of Pack 359 all attended session II of Wagons West @ Camp Tallaha this month along with their Akelas, Richard (DL), Anna (DL) and Mark (ADL). The theme of resident camp this year was the "Santa Fe" trail during the mid-1800's. Each den was assigned a landmark along the "Santa Fe" trail, given this name as a den name, made up a den yell (ours was "Santa Fe Scorpions, we're the Best. Look out for us when you head out West"), and shared information about our landmark with the other dens. We had a great time, in spite of the rain, and the camp staff was SUPER. Each of the scouts earned at least one Activity Badge and at least three sports belt loops. |
| After we
checked in on Sunday afternoon, Colin Steele, a
Boy Scout, (that's Colin in the background in the
Archery picture) led us on a tour which ended at
our camp swimming test. Chris B and Chris K.
(Tiger) both completed activities 1 & 2 of
their Aquanaut
Badge, while they, along with Kenny B. earned
their Swimming
belt loops. After the swimming test, we hiked up (and I do mean UP!) to our camp site - Pine Tree - which was at the very top of the hill next to the lake. We pitched our tents, and had our choice of tent sites, since we were the only campers at that site. At dinner time, we took a short cut down suicide hill, our last short cut of the week. After dinner, the camp staff put on a show at the campfire - Ma (Renee) and Pa (Big John), and Grandpa (Mr. Cash), along with the whole brood (Pam, Jenna, Pete, et. al.). What a laugh! After the campfire, Richard attended the cracker-barrel, while the rest of us took a more civilized, but still VERY steep, hike back to the campsite. Would you believe that our fearless leader, Richard, forgot his flashlight and had to borrow one from Anna! That night it rained slightly, but there were no traces of it the next morning. |
 Kenny, Tiger, Chris & Jeremy |
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After a
hearty breakfast of pancakes on Monday morning,
we participated in the Flag raising ceremony with
the help of several Boy Scouts (left to right,
Tiger, Chris, Kenny and Jeremy).
We met Jeremy at breakfast. He's from Pack xxx
and was our den mate during resident camp. After the Flag raising, it was back up the hill for fishing with Michael Steele. Just our luck...the rain last night dampened the catfish's appetite. We learned how to tie a hook to a line, practice safe casting, and protect ourselves and our equipment. While having fun, we also earned our Fishing belt loops and completed requirement 3 for the Sportsman Activity Badge. |
| After
fishing, it was back down
the hill for
archery. Mr. Pete wouldn't let us into the
archery range until each of us asked permission
(even the adult leaders) "Mr. Pete, may we
enter your archery range, please?". That was
our first lesson in weapons safety. After that we
learned how to act on the range, when to pick up
the bow and how to use it. And how to safely
carry the arrows. Although we're not sure whose arrow struck which target, we did earn our Archery belt loop (from left to right: Chris, Tiger, our dearly departed archery instructor, Mr. Pete, Kenny, Jeremy, and Colin). After lunch it was off to the B.B. Gun range. Mr. Cash did a great job at teaching the scouts gun safety and targeting skills. Jeremy's dad (Wild Bill) demonstrated the power of a '22 by BLASTING a hole in a soda bottle at 50 feet. Each of the boys got to shoot about 60 rounds, and even den leaders Anna and Richard had a go at it. |
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| After B.B. Guns, we were back up the hill for
canoeing. By then we were hot and tired, so we
decided to bend the "A Scout is
Trustworthy" oath and tell Big John that we
all needed to test our life
jackets before heading out on the lake.
With a straight face he said that he understood,
and jumped off the pier with us. After we cooled
off, it was into the the canoes and onto the
lake. After canoeing, it was back down the hill for Readyman and Outdoorsman #6. Chris and Richard posed a special challenge for the staff - both are vegetarians. Ms. Pam went WAY out of her way to offer fresh veggies from her own garden - a Scout is Helpful, Friendly, Courteous and Kind!. That night we had a special treat from the Boy Scouts at campfire. Three of the resident scouts are members of a Native American Dance group. With a background of torches and Native American music, they performed several authentic dances in home-made wardrobes. One scout has been working on his for over 3 years and has spent several thousands of his own money. WOW! |
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After
breakfast and the morning flag ceremony it was
off to the B.B. Gun range for the first of the
day's competitions. Mr. Cash did such a great job
the day before that Chris B. placed 3rd in the competition
and Jeremy 2nd,
and Wild Bill placed 3rd
in the adult group. Afterwards, it was back up the hill for more canoeing and swimming, then back down the hill for lunch, crafts and games. Then it was time for our final competition of the day - Archery. Mr. Greg, who couldn't make it on Monday, helped us on some of the finer points of targeting before we started shooting for score. Kenny got a 45 (out of 50) to earn 3rd place, Chris and Jeremy both shot 41's and Tiger a 40. We finished the day with a cool down in the rec. hall with Geologist. |
| That night we celebrated with Fiesta! Although it rained cats and dogs, the staff recovered beautifully. After all of the awards (I forgot to mention that Kenny won the "Guess the fish eggs in the Bowl" contest) and the skits, the scouts bashed the piņata. |  |
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During the celebrations the camp surprised Tiger (as you can see he was dumbfounded) with a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday"(Tuesday was his 10th). |
After the fiesta, it was back up the hill one last time, to our soggy sleeping bags, and fond memories of a GREAT TIME courtesy of the hardworking volunteers of the Eastern District. Thanks, one and all! |
