After such a long time, we’re finally camping again!

As with so many things for the past 12+ months, our schedule has been anything but normal. We typically try to plan an event every month. While not always the case, we try to do a campout for as many of those events as possible.

Well, all of that stopped with COVID. Between closed campgrounds and various BSA restrictions, our ability to hold events has been extremely limited. In fact, our last campout was early 2020! Fortunately, we’ve been able to find clever (and safe) ways to continue our troop meetings. That said, the Scouts aren’t here for the meetings. They’re here to get out and have fun.

Well, we finally did it! Earlier this month, the District held their first campout in a while, and we jumped at the opportunity to attend.

While everyone did a great job, it was interesting to see how out-of-practice we were. Normally we camp quite a bit, so both the Scouts and the adult leaders are pretty comfortable regarding what to do. It was almost like we were re-learning some aspects of our old camping routine. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for it to all come back to us.

Since this was a district event, we were obviously there with other troops. The event coordinators had various activities planned for Saturday. The keystone event was the “Trader Relay”, where the Scouts had to get their “fur” to the trader by completing events at various stations. Some of the challenges included archery, canoeing, bouldering, and a few sprinting sections. Neither of our two crews won the event, but they did a great job nonetheless!

For three of our newer Scouts, this was there first campout with a troop. That made it an extra special weekend. They all joined last year, and we haven’t been able to take them on a campout until now!

We already have several other events on the calendar, so this hopefully just the first of many more camping events in the near future!