Sam Houston Area Council B.S.A. Troop 505
Chartered to St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church
Houston, Texas

Monday through Friday's regular schedule kept the troop busy with 6 merit badge sessions, 3 meals in the dining hall, adult leader training, Water Odyssey, class A attire for morning and evening flags, "Did you knows?", troop assemblies and long walks along the camp trails.

On Monday night we went to "Possum Fest" at the aquatics center for ice cream, and we were able to swim, blob, or canoe in the lake. Andy H. got a tooth pulled.

On Tuesday night the troop signed up for the Blob, and Trevor L., Andy H., Julian M., Audley H., and Mr. Lauten went on an overnight wilderness survival trip.

On Wednesday night, the Brazos Buccaneers Trail to First Class scouts Sam B., Nathan A., Jonathon J., Matthew R., John T., and Travis W. and scout leaders Mr. Burkett and Mr. Richards went on an overnight 5 mile hike to Johnson's Peak. In the morning, Mr. Lauten got fourth place in the scoutmaster shotgun shoot. The troop watched the movie Star Wars Episode IV outside the dining hall and had cherry cobbler and peach cobbler. Most of the scouts either fell asleep or went back to camp before the movie ended.

On Thursday we had "camp-made" root beer, and we had a troop shoot at the rifle range. The first year scouts worked on their basketry projects. Adrian J., Nathan A., and Gabriel S., worked on the raft. William S. and his Water Odyssey patrol slept overnight at Hell's Gate on their sailboat.

On Friday John H. and Liam T. competed in the sailing regatta. Scouts in the waterskiing program had all morning to ski on the lake. Mr. Lauten and Mr. Richards completed the mile swim. Troop 505 received good marks for the campsite inspection (we did need extra cleanup in the latrines and better litter pickup). Greg W. finished his sculpture project. J.J. S. got his canoeing merit badge. After the BBQ dinner, we went to the Aquatic Olympiad. Troop 505 received the Baden Powell award for troop participation. Stephen B., Adrian J., Juan A., and Nathan A. got second place in the raft race. We fielded two relay teams consisting of a swimmer, runner, two rowers and two canoeists: Sam B., Juan A., Stephen B., Adrian J., Trevor L., Andy H., John T., Nathan A., John H., Liam T., Anand M., and Daniel C. The closing campfire and OA call-out concluded the evening festivities.

Saturday breakfast was at 7:30A.M. We changed into our new (and clean) camp T-shirts for the trip home. We were loaded up under the watchful eyes of Quartermaster Adrian J. and left camp at 9:00 A.M.

We liked: Shotgun and rifle, nature, class homework, resting in our hammocks, Schafkopf, sailing, Buccaneers, swimming, motor boating, The Great Divide bars, Bruce from Zambia, playing cards, archery, water skiing, the nights, the counselors, salad bar, dining room staff, the lake, games in TFC, Water Odyssey, staff, the food, free time, lifesaving staff, wireless internet for the leaders, and health lodge staff. We disliked mosquitoes, the heat, sour punch, and chiggers.

Special thanks to Mrs. Holm and Mrs. Heath for all their help in the dining hall and Mr. Campodonico for being the health officer. Mr. Taylor, Mr. Burkett, and Mr. Richards helped the new scouts with their requirements. Mr. Lauten did a good job as scoutmaster.