Skills Camp 2005

          On Saturday April 2^nd at 8:15 AM, over 60 scouts stood in patrol lines at the Fiesta Island Youth Aquatic Center for the opening flag ceremony. Thus began the amazing Skills Camp 2005.

          Skills Camp, renamed from Family Camp a few years back, is a great experience for both scouts and adults, no matter what the age. This annual event takes place on the weekend, with Saturday being the main instructional day.

          For the 2005 Skills Camp, a total of seven “skill” rotations followed the flag ceremony on Saturday. Scouts needing requirements signed off for advancements rotated between stations taught by more experienced scouts. The rotations encompassed Fire Safety, Knife & Axe Safety, Map & Compass, Knots & Lashings, First Aid, Backpacking/Hiking and Things Not in The Scout Book. These rotations for the scouts finished at 2:30 PM. While the scouts were rotating through the stations, the adults enjoyed valuable information such as a “Why Scouting Works” presentation, a Troop Leadership Seminar and a Backpacking Equipment Seminar. Special thanks to Mr. Lee, Mr. Faughnder and Mr. Bleile for presenting this information to the parents throughout the morning.

          After the rotations were completed and tents pitched, the scouts participated in an awesome Patrol Competition that incorporated all the skills learned over the morning. The competition required each patrol, using a compass bearing, to find an injured scout in an overgrown meadow. Once a patrol had found its injured scout, a representative of the patrol had to race to the fire ring in the middle of camp, build fire, receive supplies, and run back to the victim. Using the supplies given (two poles and a massive knot of rope), the patrol had to build a stretcher and bring the victim over the finish line. Believe it or not, the fastest patrol completed this task in a little less than 10 minutes.

          Dinner was “patrol pizzas”, which turned out to taste incredible. Each patrol made three pizzas with the toppings of their choice. Very special thanks to Mrs. Chambers and Mrs. Stoffel for the hard work in putting the dinner together.

          A campfire (with flag-retiring ceremony) and capture-the-flag followed dinner and ended Saturday nicely.

          Sunday was a short day, ending at 11:00 AM. Most of the day was spent with scouts participated in an orienteering course around the surrounding hill and meadow. Roses and Thorns by patrol ended Skills Camp 2005.

          I would like to thank to my ASPL’s for their help. Also, a great thank you to the adult leader, Mr. Chambers. I look forward to seeing everyone at Skills Camp 2006.

          By Nick Chambers