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From: Clarence Mabry (chm-moon@SCESCAPE.NET)
Date: Wed Aug 09 2000 - 17:17:42 CDT
Back in the 60's my old Scoutmaster instituted a troop requirement for camping. The
bulk of the troop were young 11 and 12 year old scouts with limited camping and no
backpacking experience. We had to hike about a mile or so to the campsite. At first we
had to carry only our personal gear. Then later we added the tents. After a year or
so, we graduated into carrying our food also.
This rule was required at all camping trips including camporees. I remember the
catcalls of the other troops that drove pass us as we hiked into the camporee site.
However what goes around comes around. One of the next camporees required that everyone
hike into their camping site via a compass bearing from a church about two miles from
the council camp. It was a breeze for our troop. But a couple of troops did spend the
night in the woods other than were they wanted to. They were found early the next
morning.
I feel that this self-imposed requirement for all camping trips, even car camps is a
good method to get the patrols to work together and help each other. As a youth, we
helped our patrol members with their gear and loads, since we wanted to beat those
misguided scouts in the eagle patrol. It became a real game with bragging rights to be
the first patrol in camp.
Clarence Aiken, SC.
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