Troop 804 - Summer Camp 2018 Camp Minsi - Pocono Summit, PA

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


Another great day - started with the final morning run and the final morning swim. A special shout-out to Ryan Wanamaker who was the only first-year Scout to go on the morning swim every day!

Today was the last day to work on merit badges and the boys finished an awful lot of them (still being counted). We gave small gifts to some of the staff who we felt had gone above and beyond in helping the boys.

Today was also the birthday of Senior Patrol Leader Max Alexander. Although he did not want it done, you can see pictures of his "special" celebration in the dining hall. We think he was mortified but he played along like the good sport he is!

After dinner, we collected all the "blue cards" - the pieces of cardboard that indicate when a merit badge has been earned. This was followed by a closing campfire at which the staff and other Troops performed skits and songs.

The boys have mostly packed in anticipation of an early rise (6am) to finish packing and cleaning up and getting on the road. The morning will also include a "closing ceremony" at which the boys will get various awards. We hope to get on the road about 9:45am for a 1:15pm arrival and a 2:00pm dismissal from Severn Run church. See you all soon!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/14/2018 12:18:29 AM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

The day started a bit early - because a group of our Scouts spent the night in the woods last night as part of their Wilderness Survival merit badge. As is usual (because they hardly sleep), they were dismissed about 5am and returned to our campsite, laughing and talking, about 5:30am. Needless to say, most of the Troop woke up and runners and swimmers got going early.

Thursday is often a day for working hard to make sure badges will be completed, and that was the case today. Boys in Rifle Shooting were working to make sure they get "their shots in", and boys in Environmental Science were working on homework and observations. First-year Scouts started giving presentations for Weather, and have been building shelters for Mammal Study. All in all, work is progressing as expected.

Mail call today caused our overflowing storage shed (where opened packages are stored to keep animals out of the tents) nearly to burst at the seams. Mail call brought a special package for Mr. Dave (thanks!) which included several apples! The number of packages and letters received has been overwhelming, as has been the amount of sugar in camp. We hope you're ready for the sugar crash that is sure to come!

Nearly all camps give the staff the night off on Thursdays, and Camp Minsi does the same - so the Troop had to cook its own food in the campsite this evening. Led by Sam Marshall and Nate O'Toole, the boys did a great job with making chili and rice for 65 people. The meal was finished exactly on time and was, to quote the boys, almost the best chili many had tasted. The Troop also held an in-camp campfire. Because the fire ring was so large, they were permitted to build a huge bonfire - and it was spectacular!

The day ended with the nightly PLC (=Patrol Leaders Council) meeting. Every PLC meeting gets a snack, and today's snack was a super special surprise in honor of Mr. Steve!

Friday will be filled with final classes as well as preparations for departure. Boys will be told to start packing up around lunch in hopes of being able to leave on time Saturday morning for the trip home. They are ready!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/12/2018 11:17:34 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  

The halfway day of the week was awesome!

Approximately one-third of the Troop continues to participate in either the "Captain Dan's Morning Run" or the "Frigid Froggy" morning swim. The participants have to get up an hour early, at 6:00AM, and a good number are first year Scouts.

The morning meal was a "breakfast casserole" of eggs, sausage, and potatoes. Morning classes were held as usual, but after a lunch of pizza, most afternoon classes were cancelled to accommodate the famous "Muck Hike." A total of fifteen Scouts and two adults participated. It is hard to describe the experience - it starts out as walking along a rocky trail, which then starts getting a little muddy, then a lot muddy, and then eventually walkers stop trying to avoid the puddles. After a while, the puddles start getting deeper, and then the trail is really more of a shallow creek through which walkers splash. Rather suddenly, the creek gets deeper and wider and walkers start struggling to find their footing because the muddy water hides the underwater rocks and roots. Surprise! Suddenly, the depth changes from mid-calf to mid-chest. The wading continues for about 3/4 of a mile, sometimes getting shallower and sometimes turning into thick, gloppy, shoe-eating mud. One Scout almost lost his boots but thanks to help from two older Scouts, both Scout and boot were rescued. At the end of the walk, the muck gets to be about 5 feet deep so walkers either have to "swim" (more of a lurching paddle in the glop) or get carried if they are small. Once done, the incredibly filthy walkers hike about a mile over to the waterfront where they "pre-rinse" in the lake before getting a shower. The muck is incredibly thick and dark and it is very true that most clothes will never - ever - be the same again. The water was very cold and some of the smaller boys did get a little chilly (like Mr. Jake!).... but overall, it was a very unique experience and well-worth doing!

In the evening (after beef stew and noodles, with strawberry shortcake for dessert), another Troop here challenged Troop 804 to a massive game of whiffleball. We'd like to report on a stunning T804 victory, but unfortunately, after a hard-fought battle, the other team emerged victorious.

Today was the coolest day of the week, with high temperatures only in the mid 70's. Last night was very comfortable but tonight might get down to below 55 degrees.

Most of the boys have showered (only three guys have admitted to not showering yet) and all have now written letters home (the last group will be placed in the mail tomorrow).

Some boys also participated in a program called "History with a Bang" that combined some historical facts with a variety of firearms demonstrations.

The boys are having a great time and are doing very well... but they are also looking forward to coming home, telling their stories, eating home cooking, and sleeping in a real bed!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/11/2018 11:29:46 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  

Today was another great day - even with a little rain.

The food here is getting good marks - the boys say things taste good and they like having the salad bar available. Breakfast today was pancakes and sausage. At least one boy loved the pancakes, because Tanner Brady - far from one of our bigger Scouts - packed away probably a dozen of them by himself. Lunch was chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese, and Jello. Dinner was stuffed shells with meat sauce, mixed vegetables, and Italian ices.

We did get a period of rain today, about an hour, but it was after dinner and did not really impact things much. The boys crowded under a covered pavilion and played lots of card games and then resumed their usual evening activities. The oldest boys did a white water rafting trip and really had a great time.

Tomorrow is the halfway point for the week and the afternoon classes are canceled for the Camp Minsi traditional "muck hike". The boys do not have to do it, and we're not sure how many will participate, but we are looking forward to seeing how it goes! We have been warned that the clothes worn will likely never be the same!

We asked the boys who had showered at least once this week. You will see a picture of them raising their hands. If your son is not raising his hand, he will be getting one soon!

Things are going very well. Lots of laughter, lots of loud singing (the "Sponge Bob" theme song for a while today), the occasional skinned knee, and plenty of good times.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/10/2018 11:14:48 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

Our first full day in camp was great!

The day started with about 1/3 of the Troop participating in either the morning run or the "Frigid Froggy" swim. The group included about half our first-year Scouts. We headed to the parade ground for flag raising about 7:30, followed by a breakfast of eggs and bacon, oatmeal, and - for those interested - trips to the yogurt and fruit bar.

Then, the boys were off to their classes. Some of the boys have changed their programs after hearing the camp staff talk about other badges. First-year Scouts started with their focused first-year program ("Trail to Adventure"). After three hours, everyone met at the parade field in preparation for lunch (grilled cheese and tomato soup).

The afternoon was filled with more classes - including the first-ever merit badges for the first-year Scouts: Art, Weather, and Mammal Study.

Dinner was roast beef, potatoes, vegetables, and chocolate cake. There is also a good salad bar, which many of the boys chose to visit. After dinner, many visited the Trading Post, which is quite small compared to most Camps.

Today was the birthday of one of the most senior Scouts, Nate Daly, so the Troop sang to him - numerous times. During dinner, the entire dining hall sang while Nate had to sit on a "throne". It was very funny!

After dinner, Scouts had free time. First-year Scouts had the opportunity to visit the rifle and archery ranges. Other Scouts visited the waterfront, or took a short hike learning the history of the Camp.

The weather remains absolutely fantastic! It was hot in the sun, but it is down to about 60 degrees at night. Tomorrow night is forecast to get down to 53 degrees. In mid-July!

We had warned the Camp that our mail might be more than they expected - but when today's delivery came, they were completely overwhelmed. The Camp ranger actually told us that he will have to drive to the post office to pick up all the packages because they won't fit in the postal delivery vehicle! The mountain of packages looked like an extravagant Christmas morning... we gave out the mail just before dinner, and at dinner, they gave us even more mail!

The Scouts are doing great! No problems or issues (one or two scraped knees, par for the course) and they are having lots of fun.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/9/2018 11:09:36 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

We're here! Although the bus was a bit late picking us up, the drive was uneventful and we arrived to stunning scenery and fantastic weather.

The boys picked tents and tent buddies, toured parts of the camp, took swim tests (some of them), and then had a few minutes to set things up. Dinner was an outdoor picnic with hamburgers and hot dogs, followed by a mad rush for ice cream.

After dinner, they toured the rest of camp and then went to the opening campfire.

It is actually chilly at night and the forecast for the next few days is great! We hope the weather stays great!

Otherwise, nothing much to report. Good times and good fellowship!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/9/2018 12:49:01 AM

   
   
  


Welcome to the 2018 Troop 804 Summer Camp Blog! We depart on Sunday, July 8, for what should be a great week in the Poconos!

By now, the boys should be excited and just about done 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 7/6/2018 3:32:22 PM