The annual trip to Musser Scout Reservation, Cub Scout Camp Garrison. We had the Wild West style fort again (Fort Akela). This long-standing tradition is a great introduction to camping for our youngest Scouts and newbies. The fort features 40 bunks and room in the surrounding area for tent camping. We needed almost all of the bunks each night. There were about 50 campers overall even though the Northeast Extension literally melted and kept some daytrippers away.
This trip was a blast for children and parents alike. Both nights there were Phillies playoff games projected on a bedsheet that we could watch together and cheer or moan en masse. We even had the Penn State / Ohio State game on at lunchtime. Sports are always better with friends and this was a great bonus to the late night agenda.
We always aim for a blend of free time and organized activities. Free time was lots and lots of Nerf gun battles and hide and seek.
This year we opened both the archery and BB gun ranges. The older kids got the morning time slots, while the younger kids built their paper rockets. Then after lunch they traded places. This allowed everyone to get a turn in an organized fashion. Special thanks to Jack Garrett and Bill Volovnik for taking the time to not only man the ranges, but to teach kids how to shoot. I enjoyed doing the same for archery. Kinda had my lines memorized by the last group. We allowed kids to move the targets back if they hit all 6, and some of the kids who came out in the spring were beginning to keep their scores. Others who were shooting for the first time fought through initial frustrations and learned the form they needed to hit the target. When they finally hit it, they were thrilled.
Meanwhile at the new paper rocket launchpad, kids were testing the laws of physics. This is our fun attempt at STEM learning. Each wanted to fly the highest, so they all tried to see how much pressure they could apply before their rockets burst like balloons. I guarantee more will want the duct tape next year. We also carved pumpkins as our other arts and crafts activity. This wasn't a contest but I personally think that Michael Wilson and Gus Johansen really achieved their creative ambitions. Other kids picked difficult designs that they really couldn't do on their own, and mine picked one that his dad couldn't make work either. That zombie hand can stay in the grave.
The menu was amazing thanks to Sous Chef Tim Johansen and a few helpers on the pancake griddle, including Sylvia Garrett and Sophia Colletti. The most impressive item on the menu was a spread of pork tacos that Tim pre-shredded, marinated from a pork shoulder and then cooked on site. Feeding around 50 campers, including picky eaters isn't easy, but who doesn't like tacos? Now my son knows that doesn't change when you swap out the ground beef. Thanks Tim.
As always, we also had a lot of free time and some of us elected to fill that time with sports and games. It started with soccer, then gaga, and later the grand tradition of roofball returned. What i love about roofball is that we've made it an all ages affair. Kids battle parents. Parents battle their bad backs and aching knees. But regardless of your age, when you spell S-C-O-U-T, you're out! And everyone risks their own embarassment in order to avoid going out early. That's because those not playing tend to sit around the fire and watch the game as intently as the Phillies game later on.
If we don't wind up going to Garrison next year, I'm going to be looking for campsites with pavilions that would allow us to keep up this fun tradition. It's almost as important as a fun spot for the kids to run around and have nerf battles or hide and seek hiding spots.
All in all, this was one of my favorite trips and I've been there for 10 years now. My son was begging to come back and have his b-day party there in the spring. It's basically one big party for the kids.
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