2014 Summer Camp Highlights

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06c8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>Member of </B><B>Buckskin Council #617</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Charter</B></div> <div> <B>March 29, 1917</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Founder</B></div> <div> <B>Don B. Lowe</B></div> <div> <I><B>1891 - 1975</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Scoutmaster</B></div> <div> <B>Tom Dukas</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West V"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=120 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06d8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West Virginia </B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Boy Scout Troop 3 in Parkersburg, West V"><U><I><B>Home</B></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2008 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2008 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2009 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2009 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2010 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2010 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2011 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2011 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2012 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2012 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2013 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2013 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <B>2014 Summer Camp Highlights</B>   |   <A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2015 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2015 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2016 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2016 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2017 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2017 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id96.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2018 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2018 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2019 Troop 3 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2019 Troop 3 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2020 Troop 3 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2020 Troop 3 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=360 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06d8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>2014 Summer Camp Highlights</I></div> <bR> <div> Troop 3’s annual summer outing at Camp Smitty during the last week in July provided another series of memorable experiences for its Scouts and leaders.</div> <bR> <div> For the record, it was Troop 3’s 96th summer camp and the 50th consecutive year to camp at its wilderness retreat on the banks of the Hughes River in Wirt County, West Virginia.</div> <bR> <div> This year, roughing it in the great outdoors at Camp Smitty was in many ways similar to past years. Funny things happened. Wonderful things, stuff that, if you believe in powers greater than yourself, would make you smile and nod.</div> <bR> <div> For example, on opening day, despite the threat of rain, when we needed cool, dry weather to set up camp, we got it. When we needed good, dry, firewood, we found a wonderful White Oak that provided the best firewood in recent memory.</div> <bR> <div> Then, there was the midweek rain that only lasted for an hour, or so, and made no impact, whatsoever, on the program. Instead, it seemed to arrive just in time to show the campers how important it is to “be prepared” for inclement weather.</div> <bR> <div> I don’t know why, but some gifts are unknowable, and our 2014 summer camp provided several examples that continued to reinforce this long held belief.</div> <bR> <div> This year the boys hiked the short one and one-half mile distance from Deem’s Ford road into camp on opening day. By dinner time the camp was all set up and a campfire was ready to be lit later in the evening.</div> <bR> <div> Temperatures for the first three days were the lowest ever experienced during summer camp at Camp Smitty. High’s struggled to get to the low 70’s, while lows plummeted to around 50 degrees at night.</div> <bR> <div> While the daily highs were great for conducting regular camp activities, interest at the waterfront, despite decent river conditions, was muted due to the cool temperatures.</div> <bR> <div> Wednesday, in addition to the usual Scouting skills instruction and work details, the boys and leaders enjoyed a hike to the wind caves.</div> <bR> <div> On Thursday morning Blennerhassett District Scout Executive Tim Rupert visited the camp. During his tour of the Patrol area he was impressed to see the boys splitting firewood and preparing and cooking their meals as a group. </div> <bR> <div> Mr. Rupert commented this was an excellent way for the boys to learn how to get along, plan, and work as a team to achieve specific goals. We explained that this had been one of the main purposes of camping in the way that we do for the past 96 years. </div> <bR> <div> As the sunny day wore on, with the prospect of temperatures maxing out in the mid-80’s, the boys and leaders planned a canoe and kayak trip. For at least two of the campers, this was their first time in a canoe, or kayak.</div> <bR> <div> One of the boys would later proclaim, “that the canoe and kayak trip was the highlight of his entire week at camp”. After experiencing an “aha” moment like this, we’re sure he’ll be back for more when summer camp rolls around again next year.</div> <bR> <div> As in the past, this year’s program was filled-to-the brim from morning ‘til night with an exciting program of outdoor activities truly unique to Troop 3 summer camps. Highlights included the annual Treasure Hunt, string burning contests, orienteering, and the chance to learn and practice important outdoor Scouting skills that can best be taught in a true wilderness setting like Camp Smitty. </div> <bR> <div> In addition to the great food, the singing, skits, and laughter provided by the nightly campfire programs were enthusiastically enjoyed by one and all. </div> <bR> <div> This year’s closing campfire was especially memorable because the boys and leaders sandwiched more than twenty “skits” (a modern day record) in between a full program of singing, handclaps, How How’s, and rousing Boy Scout yells.</div> <bR> <div> During this special evening, every boy and leader participated in one, or more skits. The fact that the closing campfire went on for an extra forty-five minutes seemed to convey this was an event that no one wanted to see end. </div> <bR> <div> As the campers circled up and the final strains of the Scout Vesper song quietly faded over the dying embers, the lilting notes of Tattoo, played by the camp bugler, floated out of the nearby woods. As this beautiful bugle call was played, it brought back memories of the hundreds of troop members who came before us that had experienced similar unforgettable evenings around these amazing campfires.</div> <bR> <div> For 50 consecutive years, Camp Smitty has been the wilderness destination for Troop 3’s annual summer camp. This year’s outing helped to create life-long friendships and many memorable moments that’ll fondly be recalled for years to come.</div> <bR> <div> Thanks to this year’s uniquely satisfying summer camp experience the Scouts and leaders are of Troop 3 are already looking forward to their 51st year at Camp Smitty in 2015.</div> <bR> <div>  We’ve been told that this great life can always end, and that the best things like Troop 3-summer camp should never be assumed. Nor, should we ever take for granted that we will ever again be able to make the annual pilgrimage to this unique summer camp that has become the adhesive of our lives.</div> <bR> <div> We say it every year. Troop 3-summer camp always leaves us wanting one more day, one more night, in the wilderness at Camp Smitty. It does. We are grateful, and look forward with great anticipation! </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>