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

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June 2007 Summer Camp

by Trevor L. (Historian)

Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, "BDSR", in Northern Colorado was the site of Troop 505's summer camp from June 10 to June 16. Our 9:20 a.m. SWAir flight on Sunday got us to Denver, and we rented cars to drive us to BDSR Camp Jeffrey, 40 miles north of Fort Collins, near Red Feathers Lake. We traded the heat and humidity of Houston for Colorado's temperatures in the 70's during the day and the 30's at night. After dropping off Graham W. at Elkhorn High Adventure base camp for his week long climbing trek, we proceeded to Camp Jeffrey and hiked a mile with most of our gear to the Porcupine campsite with our assigned Troop Guides, Eric and Jacob. We set up camp while Senior Patrol Leader Trevor L. and Scoutmaster Mr. Lauten attended the leaders' meetings. Our first flag ceremony at 5:45 was followed by a barbeque dinner. We met the staff members of Camp Jeffrey at the opening campfire and we won the "throw it out the window" song competition. Because of the possibility of bears in camp, we had to gather all of our "smellables" (anything with a scent that might attract bears: toothpaste, shaving cream, shampoo, soaps, deodorant, sun screen, and even disposable cameras!) We had to take them to Nuzum shelter and get them the next morning. We finally retired to our canvas wall tents and slept on our metal bed spring cots after 10 o'clock Taps.

A typical day consisted of morning and evening flag ceremonies, three meals in Coral Rock Dining Hall, four merit badge sessions, and free time in the campsite. Meals were served family style and SPL Trevor L. and Mrs. Holm made a duty roster for each meal's table waiters. The food during the week was good. You were always able to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches during the day, even if you didn't like what was served. We had eggs for breakfast every morning.

Monday Mr. Simpson won the Scoutmaster shotgun competition. Mr. Richards drove into town to get needed supplies and found the whitewater trip meeting place. Instead of hauling the 50 pound smellables bag to Nuzum, the scouts rigged a bear bag between two trees to save time.

Tuesday Mr. Simpson, Mr. Lauten, and new adult leader and Eagle Scout William Simpson went on a trail ride. It rained on and off the entire day. The climbers couldn't practice at the Pancake climbing basin and stayed under cover at Coffin Shelter in the Soaring Eagle camp and tied climbing knots. The troop carried out staffer Derek's conservation project by improving the water run off along the trail from the Nature Center to the Trading Post. OA fellowship and cracker barrel at Kola Lodge was attended by Mr. Burkett, Mr. Simpson, Mr. William Simpson, Mr. Lauten, Trevor L. and Michael M. The morning flag ceremony was conducted by Trevor L., Pierce D., Michael M., Aria S., Sam B., Jared J., and Matthew R.

Wednesday William Simpson and Camp Chaplain Elwin Hebner led the troop in a morning chapel service. Mr. Lauten went over the first aid requirements with the entire troop for the climbing merit badge that evening. Mr. Taylor came up with a hilarious boxing skit for the campfire that night. Other memorable troops' skits were these: Abbott and Costello's "Who's on first", "Bang, bang, tank, tank ", "The invisible bench", and "Hi, I'm Chrissie look-a-like to the if I weren't a boy scout skit". Meal director Andrew led the camp in a round of "Fires burning, fires burning". Trevor L. completed his Astronomy night viewing.

Thursday Mr. Jallans, a.k.a. "Rushing Waters", Mr. Richards, "Bear", Mr. Simpson, "Beaver", Mr. Burkett, "TUTS", and Mr. Lauten, "Raider", completed the scoutmaster C.O.P.E. ( Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) class in the morning. They practiced team building and trusting skills and completed the high ropes course. Mr. DeWitt taught us the Leave No Trace program. The overnight camping took place for the Camping Merit badge and Wilderness Survival merit badge classes. Trevor L. and David R. went on a horseback trail ride with wranglers Allie and Marissa.

Friday Makeup classes were held for merit badges in the morning. Most of the troop went on the afternoon whitewater rafting trip on the Poudre river. Those who stayed in camp went fishing or simply relaxed. At the closing campfire, Troop 505 received the coveted Scout Ranch Pride award for their participation during the week. Every scout took a shower. For some, it was their first one at camp.

Saturday It started with a 6 a.m. wakeup, getting a new camp tshirt, gear packing, continental breakfast, and 9 a.m. departure from camp. On our way back to the airport, we went on a tour of Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies baseball team. Everybody had dinner at the food court in the airport prior to our flight back to Houston.

My favorite memories of camp: The chant, "Chey Chey Kool Ay; Chey Ko Vee Saa: Co Visa Longa; Longa Chu Monga; Ay, Oh, Ay Oh Lay", "We are...Hungry!!", Director James, rowing staffer Chrissie, Obi 1, nature staffer Derek, "E L W I N ", finding blessings, nature staffer Matt's monotone and his 'dark sucker' skit, making sure the scouts cleaned the latrines, numerous troop assemblies, Gabe S. getting pounced on by all the staff in recognition of his 16th birthday, climbing and rappelling, great weather, hiking in the 7500 foot elevation of the camp, Sam B.'s many nosebleeds, Monster Mountain (it looked like a giant lying on his back), Trevor L. on the front page of the slide show, Julian M.'s "Crab Man" hair, drinking gallons of water, chapped lips, rafting guide Kate, David R.'s Class A shower, and pecan pie for dessert.

Troop 505 liked...
"Climbing." Trevor L., Julian M., Matthew R., David R., Aria S., and Graham W.
"Learning how to tie stuff." Michael M.
"Whitewater rafting." Trevor L., Travis W., David R., Aria S.
"Environmental Science." Jared J. a.k.a. " Snoo-gums"
"Fly fishing." Gabe S.
"Sleeping." Pierce D. and Alex D.

Click on the thumbnails for full-size images (and click the Back button on your browser to return here)!

Flag ceremony Service project Climbing MB on Pancake Rock
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Campfire skit SM testing his mettle Gathering before dinner
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Camping MB 5 mile hike and overnighter In dugout at Coors Field At Denver Airport
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Sam Houston Area Council B.S.A. Troop 505
URL - http://www.stvincentscouts.org/t505/jun2007.htm
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