Troop 804 - Summer Camp 2017 Camp Sinoquipe - Fort Littleton, PA

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  

Well, we made it home after a great week at Summer Camp!

The Scouts did EXTREMELY well with cleaning up and packing out. Everyone was awake at 5:45am and by 7:15, the tents were empty, the campsites were clean, and the trailers were loaded. The boys walked down the hill one last time to the dining hall, had a final breakfast, and assembled on the parade field for a closing ceremony. Then, a few senior Scouts handled the departure inspection, and it was into cars for the ride home. As everyone knows, unpacking and dismissal went very smoothly.

Overall, the week went very well. Only one injury of any note (thanks a lot, Johnny!), nothing but moderate homesickness, and great success with merit badges. The boys brought home 120 completed merit badges and another 45 or so that were expected to require a bit more work this summer but are certainly possible to be completed in the coming months. The Troop was just about always on time for meals, received compliments from staff and other Troop, and behaved like good Scouts. It was a real pleasure and a source of great pride to be associated with them!

It looks easy but success like this - especially with a Troop of our size - comes with a ton of behind the scenes work. The adults who attended Camp put in exhausting 18-hour days (OK, only 17 hours for Shane), maintained the very best of spirits even into the depths of fatigue and sleeplessness, and are truly an inspiration to anyone paying attention. Each of them bounced from area to area to watch the boys and make sure classes were running smoothly, jumped in to help whenever the Camp staff faltered, and provided incredible mentoring and guidance to every boy in the Troop. It is a blessing to have them: Pete Daly, Marty Frederick, Shane Keating, and Scott Owen each gave time and sweat to help your sons grow into better men.

And, finally, as was commented to me on numerous occasions by senior Camp staff - who see many dozens of Troops each summer and really know - we are fortunate to have an exceptional youth leadership corps, particulary the most capable Senior Patrol Leader around. Andrew Lukas functioned as a sixth adult (while getting his own merit badges) and generally fit the textbook definition of a high-performing SPL. He excelled in every way!

So, a final "Gentlemen, quiet, gentlemen" and we reach the end of Summer Camp 2017 while planning already begins for Summer Camp 2018!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/15/2017 11:23:07 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  


Marty and Sam Frederick
 
Scott and Gabe Owen
 
Shane and Zeke Keating
 
Pete, Nate, and Jack Daly
 
Mr. Dave and the son he'd always wished he'd had
 

The last day started with the threat of lots and lots of rain and ended having been much drier than expected. The first-year Scouts did some fishing - and did quite well, with at least 8 catches in about an hour - followed by the traditional ice cream trip. They also finished all their merit badges and seemed to have had a great time!

Today also included "in-camp cooking", meaning that the boys had to cook dinner over an open fire. They actually did very well with it, with the food remaining edible and done just about on schedule.

After dinner, time was spent preparing for our departure followed by a closing campfire complete with a flaming arrow shot across a lake to ignite the fire and an impressive Native American dance ceremony.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/15/2017 12:29:51 AM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


The 2nd-to-last day in Camp Sinoquipe went really well. Great weather, great classes, and great service in the dining hall.

The first-year Scouts spent the morning working on some of their nature badges and then playing a game called "Ga-Ga Ball". In the afternoon, they spent time working on knots, lashings, and other rope skills. In-between, there was a great lunch filled with dancing. They are gearing up for tomorrow night's final camp fire and then the mountain of cleaning and packing that awaits them.

The older boys spent the morning on horseback and celebrating a birthday (Max Alexander turned 16 today). Other older boys spent a lot of time making and cooking kabobs in their Cooking merit badge class.

The Troop also go the results of yesterday's 'Spirit Day' competition. It was close, but Troop 804 came in 2nd place. They still did great considering we have no idea what the day was really about.

You also see pictures of our usual mountain of mail (which again had to be delivered because it was so much), and pictures of the boys cleaning the shower house (it was our turn today).

On Friday, the boys finish merit badge classes, we cook our own dinner in the campsite, and we spend a lot of time packing up and getting ready to come home. We are ready!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/13/2017 11:15:22 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

Today was 'Spirit Day'! No merit badges and no classes. The boys were free to travel the camp and participate in any or all events that they found interesting. All of the events contriubted to a points system and the winning Troop gets called the champion and, more importantly to the boys, gets to eat first for the rest of the week!

The Troop participated in a lot of the activities (we are by far the largest Troop here this week). Among their many tales of success and victory, they were told that one of our teams may have set the all-time Camp Sinoquipe record for the 'Chariot Race' (canoes pulling a heavy item through the water). The boys also did especially well in the lumberjack competition, the soccer competition, and the rifle shooting challenge (in which a team of our first-year Scouts did especially well). The winner will not get announced until tomorrow so we don't know the results quite yet, but as of this evening, the Troop was in 1st place with a slight lead (and yes, they do adjust for the size of the Troop!).

Some boys resisted, but as of now every boy has written a letter home. They may not all make it home - not everyone knows how to address an envelope, and we're not sure how soggy a piece of mail the postal service will deliver, but they've all put in the effort. Today's mail call (seen in some of the pictures) was by far our biggest of the week, and by far the biggest the camp has seen this year. Thanks to all who have sent letters and packages!

The day ended with a skit competition. The Troop presented five skits - most of them 'oldies but goodies' (ie. we've seen many times before), but they were executed well and the Troop has hopes for keeping its lead in the overall competition. Especially nice was noticing that on the way back, the Troop burst into song - bellowing loudly for the whole Camp to hear as they walked back to our campsite (the song was 'God Bless America' followed by 'The Star-Spangled Banner').

The weather today was very pleasant. A very small amount of rain but not a big deal. The boys are doing well and most have showered at least once! Their tents are truly disaster zones (one tent had the lid from an ice cream container 'glued' to the floor, another had essentially no visible floor under the piles of clothes and general 'stuff'. Tomorrow is the day to really work on finishing up badges and we will be riding them a bit harder to keep them focused.

Hope all is well at home - things are great here.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/12/2017 11:29:07 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

Tuesday was a great day in Camp Sinoquipe. The day started with the usual daily runners and polar bear plungers, followed by a breakfast of cheese omelots and ham. By now, the boys know the rhythm of this camp and pretty much don't need help knowing where to go or when to be there. Classes continued and some of the boys actually have homework to do.

The first-year Scouts spent time in the morning identifying plants, animals, and rocks, and then painting 'masterpieces' in their Art class. After lunch, they had to 'gear up' for their 5-mile hike. And, this was no 'around' 5 miles - it was a tough hike that took a lot out of the guys and they were tired!

After dinner, we did experience some rain and some lightning, which curtailed some of the activities including the planned open time on the rifle and archery ranges for the first-year Scouts (no word yet on when or how that might be rescheduled). The storm passed quickly and the guys had a great time playing games and goofing off (some of you will find more mud in the laundry than you'd want!). At bedtime, the older Scouts organized their usual toothbrushing game, tonight's being the class 'toothpaste foam beard' contest. Please rest assured that the adults cringe whenever this game is played, but as you can see from the pictures.... well, it may be gross but the guys just love it!

The temperatures have been interesting. It can be very hot (and with high humidity) during the day, but at night it has gotten a bit chilly and so sweatshirts have been very appropriate.

Tomorrow is something this Camp calls 'Spirit Day'. There are no merit badge classes and instead the boys can choose from a number of games, contests, or other activities to earn points toward a Camp champion. The stations range from chess to 3-d archery to patch designing. There should be something for everyboyd to do. We will also be organizing some mandatory homework sessions and probably some in-Troop games too.

All of the boys have been told about two requirements: at least one letter home, and at least one shower. Most have taken the shower, and about two dozen sent letters today. The rest will be sending tomorrow!

We hope all are well at home - we are doing fine here!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/11/2017 11:25:17 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  

A great first full day in Camp.

The day started with about two dozen Scouts getting up at 6am to participate in either the "Run for Life" or the "Polar Bear Swim" (both optional). It was then that we discovered that the entire Camp had lost power due to a traffic accident taking down a utility pole. No power also meant no water (so, no coffee and no showers!). But, the power was restored about 8am so it worked out fine.

The dining hall is very nice - and air conditioned. The food has been good although the boys are looking forward to the salad bar that starts on Tuesday. Breakfast was cinnaomon rolls and fruit, lunch was a chicken patty sandwich, and dinner was spagghetti with meatballs.

Today was the first day of merit badge classes and, unlike many camps, most of the classes actually go to do stuff today. For example, at many Camps, the first day in Rifle Shooting is just talking, but here the boys got to shoot even today. The older boys are taking Horsemanship and they got to groom the horses today. Other areas seeing action included kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and lifesaving.

The first-year Scouts began their first-ever merit badges with a Nature class, followed by Art and then Mammal Study. The afternoon was spent learning about compasses followed by an Orienteering treasure hunt. They are having fun and have already figured out that the Trading Post is the place to be.

Mail Call stayed true to our form - we overwhelmed the office with the volume of letters and packages. We think they have never seen anything like it and in fact it was so much that they had to deliver it in a vehicle (usually Troops have to go pick up the mail). Mail Call is a big deal and we have a lot of fun with it.

Alas, in the evening we go some rain - including a brief but heavy period around 8:30pm. The boys took it in stride although Shane Keating was heard sobbing in his tent.

Not many pictures today - we don't have many cameras in Camp - but we have a plan for more tomorrow. In the meantime, we hope all of you are well... your sons are!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/10/2017 11:29:48 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  

Lots of good stuff today, everything went realy well.

We'll try to post more pictures tomorrow.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/10/2017 1:48:39 AM

  
  


Welcome to the 2017 Troop 804 Summer Camp Blog! We depart next Sunday, July 9, for what should be a great week in Pennsylvania!

By now, the boys should be excited and really getting ready.

We'll do our best to post lots of information - and plenty of pictures - every day. Look for updates late at night (ummm, or sometimes very early in the morning).

The pictures above are from last year. You can click on the small pictures to see a larger version. After camp, we usually make available all of the pictures - in full resolution. Enjoy!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/3/2017