The Boys Are Back in Town

Another fun and exciting year at camp is complete.

Thanks to all scouts who attended, and particularly those who stayed to the very end to help break down camp on Saturday and clean up the island, and ship the gear back to the mainland on Sunday.

And thanks to the adults who helped at camp - without their hard work and dedication, camp would not be possible.

If your son is missing any of his personal gear - towels, tshirts, mess gear, etc - please check with Mr. Chase - we brought back several bags of personal items when we swept the island on Saturday and Sunday.

Our next meeting is on Monday, August 1st, when we'll be putting away the camp gear and repairing and cleaning the tents and other equipment. Stay tuned for more details!

And please mark your calendars for Summer Camp 2012 - we've reserved the island for one week later, from July 28th to August 5th.

Camp 2011 - Day 8

Saturday - the breakdown begins.  Tent folding and gear packing has begun. Today we work on clearing as much gear as we can. We will sleep under the tarps or the stars tonight.

Much of camp is packed up now. We had pizza for dinner which was a hit with the boys. As a final trip we headed down to Shacketts; the local ice cream / grocery store.

Camp 2011 - Day 7

This the morning KP crew. The boys all work together to clean up the pots and pans from the breakfast prep. Some of these boys got KP because it was their turn, while others got KP because their tents were not clean enough.

The weather continues to be hot and humid. We wrap up all our classes today. Plans call for holding the Mile Swim tonight.

Camp 2011 - Day 6

Happy Birthday to Mike and Derek (tomorrow).

This is "canoe wars." The boys break into teams an work to be the last boat above water. It's a great way to spend a very hot/humid afternoon.

Behind the boats you can see Bell Island; a smaller island also used for camping.

Camp 2011 - Day 5

Here is JB working on his water skiing skills. He still has a little work ahead of him. Moments after this picture he had a great (but short) run. Bryan just finished his turn and did fantastic; crossing the wake several times and making good long runs. Joe comes up next and he feels this time he will stay up on his skis.

Right now the weather is excellent but it is supposed to get hot. Tomorrow's forecast calls for 95+ degrees. So far the weather has been perfect.

According to the sign: 

The small gorge through which the Cockermouth River flows at this place was shaped about 12,000 years ago at the end of the Great Ice Age. Rock debris, silt and sand carried in the melt waters were trapped and tumbled against the granite bedrock to carve the deep curves and potholes we see today

Camp 2011 - Christmas in July

We celebrated Christmas in July at camp this year on Wednesday.

When we got up the sun was rising with a red tint.


At breakfast the boys were greeted with a decorated kitchen, and their juice cups were holiday themed. Many scouts kept their cups for the remainder of the week.

The men in the kitchen were dressed in holiday attire, and Santas elf made an appearance.

Candy canes, and corn dogs, among other things, were the lunch fare, and were well received.

In the evening after dinner we held a CPR training class for all scouts.

Santa arrived, and each scout was presented with a commemorative shirt by Santa and his elves, Jonathan and Billy, and after roll call we watched Despicable Me.

Here are some photos!

Camp 2011 - Day 4

A breakfast of french test and hash for everyone (unless they prefer cereal). Today we tackle our hike over the Sugarloaf.

Mr Keenan's Forestry class

Camp 2011 - Hike

Every year we take a hike over the nearby Sugarloafs.  The pictures below were taken by Mr. O'brien during the hike.  Mr O'Brien also added some good captions to these.

Camp 2011 - Day 3

 Mr. Lantz teaches Matt M, Antonio, Nate, Dan, Jackson and Tom C. This is one of the many badges being taught during fourth period today. 

This a view from the beach at the state park. Our island is seperated from the park by a narrow channel about 150 feet wide. The cliffs are on the other side of the island.  Todays weather was warm and overcast with very brief and light showers. The forecast calls for warmer weather tomorrow.

Camp 2011 - Day 2

The gong was sounded at 6:30am to wake the boys for pancakes, bacon and fruit. 

Camp 2011 - Mr. Wallace and the Moose

This week at camp we saw a variety of wildlife. A mouse in the kitchen. A mole nearby. Two deer in the parking lot near the boat ramp. A duck family. Loons at night.

But nothing compares to Mr. Wallace's moose.

Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Chase, and Mr. Wallace were headed to Walmart in Plymouth for groceries on Sunday evening, when we encountered a moose on the side of the road.

We got out to investigate, and as you can see by the picture below, we were able to get pretty close as the moose was below the roadway in a swampy ditch.

Camp 2011 - Day 1

The caravan from Weymouth took a break at a rest area and came across this truck.  

At the Tilton Diner

Camp Deadline - 7/11

Remember that scouts need to turn in the following on Monday:

• Payment
• Signed Code Of Conduct
• Health Forms (we don't need the parts concerned with Scuba Diving). form is available at: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34605_Letter.pdf

The Troop will be paying out Can & Bottle money on 7/11.  Every parent should already received a statement for their scout.

Saco Canoe Trip - day 2 report

These are a few of the boys hanging out at the rec center

Last night was rainy and we awoke to some light scattered rain. After everyone cooked a good breakfast and packed up, we were back on the river.  The rain and mosquitos kept us company for the first hour.  At about the time the rain let up we came to the most "challenging" spot on our trip; many years ago a small bridge collapsed leaving behind some small rapids for us.  Mr Kelley coached everyone on a good path through Walker's Rip (or Walker's Falls to some) and we passed without incident.  At about the same time we spotted a large bald eagle.  The eagle stayed with us for nearly an hour, leapfrogging us down the Saco.  We made good time in the morning, even allowing for the rope swings, rapids, eagle and turtle spotting.

 The Eagle heading downriver

At lunch we were caught in downpours and with the cool weather the boys were not enjoying it.  But hot drinks and warm lunches lifted spirits.  After lunch we were entertained by the boys having wrestling matches in the river.  After everyone was ready for a little more canoeing in the rain, we headed out again.  A couple of hours later we found ourselves at the Woodland Acres Campground in Brownfield Maine.  We had left a car here at the beginning of the trip.  We debated overnighting here but the hot showers, laundry and excellent group sites (with covered eating areas) sealed the deal.

We set up camp, cooked dinner and availed ourself of the laundry dryers.  Considering the weather and distance left to travel, Mr. Kelley decided to head home after breakfast the next day.  The boys all wish we could do the complete distance but the rain has dampened enthusiasm as well as clothing.

Camp 2010 - More pictures

The slide-show below is courtesy of Mrs Davis:

2010 Cliff Island - Unpack the Gear

Monday 7/26/2010

Sculptured Rocks

 The Troop met at the clubhouse to unpack and stow the camp gear.  A bunch or kids, some adults and a couple of hours of work and most of the work was completed.  

Camp 2010 is now complete - thanks go out to the camp coordinator Brian Chase and Scoutmaster Jim Kelley for making camp a success.  Further thanks go out to all the men who taught any of the many merit badge classes offered this year.  We also thank all the men who ran our kitchen during the week and those that helped them with the cooking, serving, cleanup and shopping.  Thanks go out to those men that did all the other jobs that needed to be done for camp to be successful; leading hikes, fixing equipment, towing trailers, loading and unloading equipment, serving as lifeguards, etc.  The 25+ men that were part of camp this year, made camp possible for our scouts.

Additional thanks go out to the Senior Patrol of Troop 2.  Eric and Billy and their Senior Patrol did a great job at camp and helped lead the rest of the scouts in making this year a success.

One last picture from camp:  what happens when a Senior Patrol Leader oversleeps and missed breakfast?  They get a personal wake-up call and a "quick wash".

That's Billy trying to hide under his pillow.

Below is a slideshow of pictures provided by the O'Briens

2010 Cliff Island - Day 9 Report

Sunday 7/25/2010

Weather: High 82, Low 65, sunny

We all woke to a thoroughly soaked camp.  Breakfast was whatever was still dry - some cereal or some pop-tarts.  On the mainland Mrs. Davis had kindly brought us some juice, munchkins and baked goods.  We completed our breakdown of camp and the boys swept the island for litter.  By a little after 9am we had completed packing the trailers and trucks and were ready to hit the road.

A small group of campers met up again at the Titl'n Diner for a late breakfast.  If you've never been to the Tilt'n Diner or never tried Shackett's fresh doughnuts - make plans for next year!

2010 Cliff Island - Day 8 Report

Saturday 7/24/2010

Weather: High 90, Low 68, sunny with heavy rain at night

Saturday's breakfast was french toast, bananas and blueberries. 

As soon as breakfast was over, the boys headed over to the park's main beach for the Mile Swim.  Every boy is encouraged to participate in this and see how far he can get.  Nate was the only rookie to finish the swim this year.  Paul and Bryan battled for first place, with Paul just pulling ahead at the last moment.  There were a couple of boys that completed the mile for the first time and others that completed the mile again.  Mr O'Brien and Mr Murphy also completed the mile.

For many boys today was the day to complete merit badge work; there were several speeches given during meals and some final attempts at completing skill merit badges like Swimming, Rowing or Motorboat.  Many Merit Badges were completed during the week and the boys will be receiving their badges in September at the Ham & Bean dinner.

After lunch the Troop busied itself with striking camp.  Tents were taken down and folded - scouts would be sleeping under other shelters tonight.  Everything but essential gear was packed and shipped to the mainland.  

Mr Kelley shows how to fold a tent

Packing the boats with gear

Lining up for last dinner on the island

Dinner was nuggets and assorted leftovers.  This was the last chance to clean out the refrigerator and pantry.  Tim and DJ put on a bit of a show by seeing who could eat the most nuggets.  Tim came out the winner.  

After dinner we all headed out for an ice-cream at Shacketts

A final fire was enjoyed in the kitchen area.  Cliff Island Jeopardy was a hit, Dan was voted rookie of the year, Billy won the biggest fish contest and songs and skits were performed.  The week was wrapping up and the scouts enjoyed this last hurrah.

Time for ice-cream

We received heavy rain that night, for about an hour.  The scouts were either in the island's lean-to or under the kitchen tarp.  It was very wet and windy but the boys came through it unphased.

2010 Cliff Island - Day 7 Report

Friday 7/23/2010

Weather: High 80, Low 57, partially cloudy

Friday was a nice day - the day was mostly clear and sunny.  Today was the last day for regular classes.  Mr Murphy took his Environmental Science class for a walk on the mainland so they could work on their merit badge.

 Friday 1st period for these guys is Communications - one of the badges required for their Eagle rank. 

Mr. Lantz is talking to them about the speech they need to give

Sailing Class

After classes ended for the day, Mr Kelley challenged the scout to a "swamp war".  Mr Kelley set out in a canoe and challenged any and every scout to try to catch him and sink him if they could.  The scouts set out in canoes, kayaks or they swam.  Mr Kelley put up a good fight, but in the end the scouts overwhelmed him and he was left with a swamped canoe.

 Some of the scouts playing a game called "Ninja". 

You'll have to ask your son how its played.

The day ended with a campfire on the cliff.  Several groups of boys did skits they had worked on in their Theater merit badge class.  Other boys gave speeches for their Public Speaking or Communications badges. 

Bryan giving his speech for his Communications class.

After the skits and entertainment, the gedunk stand was opened in the kitchen and some fried plantain dessert was served.  At lights out, the oldest boys returned to the cliff to watch the fire die.

 Tim and Tom before bed

2010 Cliff Island - Day 6 Report

Thursday 7/22/2010

Weather: High 80, Low 63, no rain

Today started like every other day on the island - revely before 7am, the banging of pots and the blowing of the conch shell.  Rousting the boys from their bunks gets a little more difficult every day.

Most of these guys failed their tent inspections and were rewarded with some dish-washing duties.

Here four of our newest scouts prepare to learn what happens when you end up in the water fully clothed. 

The boys will need to disrobe and then fashion flotation out of their pants and shirt. 

This is one of the many emergency situations the boys learn to handle.

The boys all start this execise with some nerves, but end up laughing by the end.

Here is Mr Murphy helping Ben with some ice for his head. 

Ben is doing a great job with the class, but today he and the ski had a bit of an issue. 

Ben is okay - just a bump.

Today’s forecast called for possible afternoon rain.  With this in mind and considering our previous luck getting to Sculptured Rocks, Mr Kelley decided to rearrange the schedule a little.  After the first three periods were over, we headed over to Sculptured Rocks for some fun.  We spent about an hour there and the kids had a blast.  

Following Sculptured Rocks we headed back to the island for a late lunch of tuna and chicken salad sandwiches.

Dinner tonight was a baseball theme.  We enjoyed some classic Fenway Fare: hotdogs and sausages with peppers and onions.  For dessert we celebrated Derek’s birthday with a couple of cakes.  

 Danny has finished washing his tray. Now he's drying it. 

Jonathan will inspect his tray before it can be put back.  

That evening the boys watched "The Sandlot" while enjoying peanuts and crackerjacks for a snack.