The weather was amazing and the conditions were just right to give all the Scouts a taste of winter camping. We had about 50 Older Scouts and 52 Cub Scouts join in the first ever combined Cub Scout Klondike and Winter Camporee. From 1-4 pm all Scouts did orienteering, flag football, tug-of-war, fire stating, and sling-shots. Older Scouts had their own activities in the morning, including a 1-mile orienteering course for those working on First Class and a wilderness first aid hypothermia challenge. After the Cub Scouts left, the camporee kept going with Gaga Ball at night and a Dutch Oven Cooking competition. The judges were lucky to have such tasty options. It was a close contest but 619 just barely won out (on presentation) with their deconstructed fruit dessert followed closely by a very tasty chocolate cherry dessert by 679. Everyone worked on campsite break-down and so units were heading home by 10:30 am Sunday. ​

Thanks to Steve Liebmann for providing such a great site. Camporee Leader Mike O'Donnell and Camping Chairman Drew Burkenpas thank everyone who came as well as those who helped or donated equipment including Little Stinker for the price break on the Kybos and the free night lights from H&E Equipment. The next Camporee is May 15-17 and rumor is afoot that "thar may be pirates about, mateys." Talk to the Order of the Arrow if you want to get involved!

You may suspect that your Scouts enjoy Gaga Ball and other games, but now I can tell you with absolute certainty that they are gaga for games because they played games like 9 Square in the Air, Gaga Ball, Team Olympics, and Life sized outdoor chess in drenching cold rain. Scouts told me they liked the challenge of learning to stop in the mud, which is an example of how well they accepted and dealt with the weather. Leaders enjoyed the 9 Square game, and we had hardy scouts under the leadership of Scoutmaster Tobias Holleman complete a 5-mile trek through the soaked woods for their 2nd class hike requirement. Pictures are being collected and will go on the District Photo drive, but I am sharing a few in this post for you to enjoy.

The Gaga for Games camporee is the effort of many people. Thanks to Units who hosted activities (619 Eye Spy, 679 Hike, 649 Team Olympics, 676 Exploding Kittens, 636/635 Giant Yahtzee). Thanks to Steve Liebmann for letting us use his Nash property. Sorry about the mud churn! Thanks to District Leadership Tina O’Donnell, David Eubanks, Drew Burkenpas, and Daniel King for helping it all come together. Thanks to Mike O’Donnell for being District Camporee staff on-site. Thanks to all the leaders who were there setting a wonderful example of having fun in challenging weather. Finally, thanks to the scouts who came, smiled, learned that you do need rain pants, and VOTED to play game 2 of the outdoor chess match during an absolute crazy downpour. That was awesome.
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Betsy Eubanks
Fall Camporee Coordinator

It was an “Under the Sea” adventure at the Cub Scout Day Camp this year at Ridgeview Elementary School June 14 and 15th.  We had 151 cub scouts participate in adventures like fishing, jeopardy, Sharks and Minnows, Port and Starboard games, STEM activity, art, Ocean in a Bottle craft and a GaGa Ball Fishpond.  Other favorites included BB Shooting, Archery, Sling Shot and Knife safety.  Many thanks go to the principal and staff at Ridgeview Elementary, the Summer Lunch Program, and our staff and volunteers with their wild and fun imaginations – including a boat and ocean waves at the entrance and fun jelly fish and murals inside and a fabulous trading post. 
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We also had 60 Bears, Webelos and Arrow of Light cub scouts come to the Bear Rendezvous Friday night at the River Rock ponds.  They did some cooking, tent set up, knots and survival skills to complete many of their outdoor adventure skills. ​