On November 30 at 5:00 Friday in the afternoon 17 members of Troop 287 arrived at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church to transform the Fellowship Hall into a Boy Scout model campsite.
After removing the tables and chairs from the hall, twenty-two tents were set up (model campsite order) along with an axe yard, First Aid station, Cooking station, Knot Competition station, Leave No Trace station, Campout Packing and Troop Bugle demonstrations and a virtual campfire.
By 6:45 all was in place as twenty-five second year Webelos from packs around Portage began to arrive. After opening flag ceremony and introductions by SPL Nate Ekola, the Webelos were divided into three Patrols, elected Patrol Leaders and assigned Troop Guides for the evening to conduct tours of the campsite. Our Webelos guests experienced first hand many aspects of a Boy Scout campout before settling into their tents.
Pathfinder District Executive Jennifer Pavey visited our Camp-In on Friday evening. Assistant Scoutmasters from Watervliet Troop 696 John Oliphant and Shawn Crawford along with John's son Eric also visited Friday evening.
After some games and a traditional Boy Scout Cracker Barrel of cheese, sausage and crackers, corn chips, dip and punch the evening concluded with all Scouts circling around the virtual campfire for songs, skits and a chance for everyone to reflect on the evening.
Weather conditions were ideal at the model campsite. No rain, no frost, no cold. A comfortable 75 degrees. Saturday morning the sun rose quickly (overhead lights) as Troop Bugler Mike Jensen played reveille to wake everyone.
Breakfast was an outside experience. Every Scout prepared their own version of ZipLoc Omelets served with Sweetwater's donut holes, juice and milk.
Part of the camping experience is learning the proper way to set up and take down camp. Under the watchful eyes of their Troop Guides our Webelos guests practiced the proper way of taking down, folding and rolling camp tents.
With the campsite dismantled the next task was a Service Project. We had three sweepers cleaning the floor of the Fellowship hall and rooms leading to it. Baseboards were scrubbed and the dining area was set up for 100 guests Chapel Hill was having for lunch. Webelos and Boy Scouts worked side by side setting up tables and chairs, spreading table linen, centerpieces and decorations for the group.
After the work was done, the Scouts had time to relax, play more games and get better acquainted.
Closing flags ceremony and the traditional Troop 287 Circle-Up our first Webelos Camp-In was complete. Scouts from 287 started thinking about how this event can be made better next year when we invite more second year Webelos Scouts to experience our Camp-In.
Thanks to Webelos from Packs 235, 243, 244, 286, 287, 289 and 297 for attending.
Special thanks to Jennifer Pavey, District Executive; John and Eric Oliphant and Shawn Crawford from Troop 696 for visiting our Camp-In on Friday evening.
Scouts from 287 attending:
SPL- Nate E (and Knot Challenge Station), ASPL - Dustin B (and Backpacking Station), Quartermaster - Brad C, Troop Bugler - Mike J, Troop Guides - Peter K, Will M and Ryan O, First Aid Station - David M, Leave No Trace Station - Cam H and Mike B, Cooking Station - Tom C, Backpacking Station - Brad C, Axe Yard Station - Eric S and Sam C Historian Photographer - Matt G, and Scouts - Jeff O and Sean C.
Chief Patrol attending:
Scoutmaster - Tim Ekola, Assistant Scoutmasters - Daan Bunker, Jim Chodl, Lorri Harris, Larry Hayden, Don McQuitty, and Tim Osterman.
Our next troop campout will be at the Oaks Cabin at Rota-Kiwan Scout Reservation on December 7, 2001.
			Back to Troop 287 Home Page