2016 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>   |   <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2014 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2014 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2015 Summer Camp Highlights"><U>2015 Summer Camp Highlights</U></A>   |   <B>2016 Summer Camp Highlights</B>   |   <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> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=360 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06d8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>2016 Summer Camp Highlights</I></div> <bR> <div> As spring 2016 began to give way to summer, Scoutmaster Denzil Haney and Brookfield, Missouri’s Troop 41 were already making plans to experience another week of summer camp with Troop 3 at Camp Smitty. Based on last year’s feedback, the boys of Troop 41 had loved roughing it so much at the camp that many longed to return and again test their scouting skills on the beautiful rivers and in the forested hills of Wirt County, West Virginia.</div> <bR> <div> On July 20, following a seven hundred mile trip from their headquarters in Missouri, Troop 41 arrived at the Sea Scout Base in Belpre, Ohio to begin the quest to earn their Fifty Miler patch by canoeing and kayaking fifty miles over the Hughes, Little Kanawha and Ohio rivers. Before settling in for the night the Scouts made last minute preparations for the first thirty-one mile leg of their trip. Bright and early the next morning they traveled to Elizabeth, West Virginia where they put in on the Little Kanawha River shortly after sunup.</div> <bR> <div> Despite their inexperience the plucky Scouts quickly adapted to their surroundings and steadily improved their boating skills as they slowly proceeded down the river. Thanks to the lack of current in both the Little Kanawha and Ohio rivers they completed the last mile to the Sea Scout Base in Belpre, Ohio as darkness was beginning to close in on the Ohio Valley. </div> <bR> <div> One humorous experience, and life changing moment, occurred mid-way during the first leg of the fifty-mile canoe and kayak trip when a young Scout thought that he had had enough. Although forbidden, he managed to pull out a cell phone and call his mother who was visiting in Parkersburg, West Virginia for a class reunion. When she answered the phone he pleaded for her to come and get him because he was tired. Much to his dismay, the boy’s mother told him to,“<I>Man up, get off the phone, and keep paddling</I>.” Since being rescued by his mother was out of the question, the young man redoubled his efforts and finished the day on the river with the rest of buddies. </div> <bR> <div> Friday was intended to be a day of rest since the troop had planned to finish the remaining leg of their fifty-mile paddle during the upcoming week of summer camp. However, the lure of historic Blennerhassett Island, just across the river from the Sea Scout Base was simply too much to resist. So, they got into their boats, paddled over to the island, and spent rest of the afternoon exploring the historic attractions before returning to dinner at the Sea Scout Base.</div> <bR> <div> On Saturday morning, July 24th, as the sun continued its steady climb into a clear blue sky, Troops 3 and 41 began setting up at Camp Smitty to start the 98th consecutive summer camp of Troop 3. Although the weather was dry, the first four days tested the both Scouts and leaders as the heat index topped out at 105 degrees on more than one occasion. However everyone stayed hydrated by drinking a lot of water and the placid river provided the opportunity for numerous swims to help everyone cool off.</div> <bR> <div> Relief from the hot weather finally arrived on Thursday as a daylong two-inch rain that produced flash flood watches swept through the Hughes River valley. Despite the weather, the river conditions were ideal for all but the last day of camp and the activity program went on as scheduled.</div> <bR> <div> Getting to the riverfront for swimming and boating activities was made much easier this year thanks to Scoutmaster Tom Dukas and Troop Committee Chairman Bill Peters constructing a set of sturdy, pressure-treated wooden steps to span the last twenty feet of steep riverbank down to the swimming area. Prior to the new steps, in past years it had been necessary to dig footholds in the riverbank to reach the swimming area. In addition to the work to dig the steps they often presented a problem during wet weather when the riverbank would become quite slippery. Thanks to Tom and Bill’s planning the steps were constructed so they could be hauled up above the high water line to avoid being swept away by the flooding river between camping sessions</div> <bR> <div> In addition to the everyday camp routine the boys enjoyed a first year camper’s hike, an afternoon of orienteering, canoeing and kayaking and two greased watermelon scrambles. The watermelon scrambles generated a lot of friendly competition. Although Troop 41 had more brute strength, the wily Troop 3 boys managed to safely carry the first watermelon to shore shortly after it was tossed into the river. However, Troop 41 regrouped and safely hauled the second watermelon onto the beach after a lengthy romp in the water. After the event a delicious watermelon feast was enjoyed by one and all.  </div> <bR> <div> One of the highlights of the week was the annual treasure hunt where the clues were hidden throughout six miles of rugged terrain. The teams that successfully located the hidden clues discovered they were eventually led back to camp where they faced a final test of having to accurately negotiate a compass course to locate the buried treasure.</div> <bR> <div> After a week of intense competition the visitors narrowly nosed out Troop 3 and won the annual Inspection award. Anyone wandering through our camp this year would have been impressed with the orderliness and cleanliness of each Patrol area. </div> <bR> <div> Despite what one may think, once the young campers get over the shock of having to leave their cell phones at home (<I>there’s no cell phone reception at Camp Smitty</I>), and provide for themselves, they quickly learn to “<I>survive and thrive</I>” in our wilderness summer camp. Based on my observations it’s amazing to see what young boys can achieve when they are given the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities on the field of Scouting.</div> <bR> <div> Ever since the Troop 3 began camping in 1919 it has been up to the boys to cook their daily meals by Patrol over a wood fire, except on special occasions like the first day of camp when the leaders cook dinner for everyone. Over the years the boys have learned how to cook Swiss steak, fried chicken, pork chops, kielbasa, beef mulligan, spaghetti, various breakfast items, and other dinner entrees too numerous to mention. Since it has always been the rule that each boy has to cook at least one meal at camp this means that no first year camper is ever denied the opportunity test his culinary skills over a wood fire. </div> <bR> <div> In sixty-plus years I’ve served on the staff at Troop 3 summer camp if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it is that no two boys are the same. While each year brings a new surprise, or two, the look of satisfaction on a boy’s face, when he has exceeded his expectations in being able to do something that he never thought was possible, always makes all the hard work at summer camp worthwhile.</div> <bR> <div> As long as I live I’ll never forget some of the amazing sights and sounds I observed at the 2016 summer camp:</div> <bR> <div> •     The first year camper who proudly proclaimed the fried chicken he had cooked for his Patrol was better than any Kentucky Fried Chicken he had ever tasted.</div> <bR> <div> •     Members of the winning greased watermelon scramble team unselfishly sharing watermelon with their brother Scouts on the beach in the swimming area.</div> <bR> <div> •     How quiet the Scouts in Troop 41 were as they departed camp at 6:30 AM on a foggy Hughes River to complete the last leg of their fifty-mile canoe trip.</div> <bR> <div> •     Watching a tenacious eleven year-old first year camper convince his older treasure hunt team mates that finding each and every treasure hunt clue was more important than trying to finish too quickly. His persistence paid off, his team was the only one to find all the clues, and they ended up winning the event.</div> <bR> <div> •     Several Scouts openly praising how great their mashed potatoes tasted.</div> <bR> <div> •     The young camper who said his breakfast of sausage and French toast was one of the best he had ever experienced.</div> <bR> <div> •     Seeing the dancing reflections of the nightly campfires on the young, excited faces of the assembled campers. For many, the nightly campfires were second to none, and each evening helped create new experiences and memories that would last a lifetime.</div> <bR> <div> •     Observing the enthusiasm of the young boys every time they had the opportunity to demonstrate their outdoor Scouting skills.</div> <bR> <div> •     How awesome the Scout yells sounded as their echoes reverberated back and forth between the hills high above Camp Smitty.</div> <bR> <div> •     Being envious of the memories the boys were creating while they were competing in the annual treasure hunt during a steady rain. The satisfied looks on their faces indicated that they were having some great fun.</div> <bR> <div> •     Marveling at the close friendships and teamwork that steadily developed among the campers as the week progressed.</div> <bR> <div> •     Being lulled to sleep by the comforting sounds of the screech owls, Whippoorwills, and other night creatures.</div> <bR> <div> •     Continuing to be amazed at how the experiences at summer camp always do so much to build the confidence and self-esteem of the adventurous young Scouts who embrace spending a week roughing it in the great outdoors.</div> <bR> <div> On Friday as the last tent was being taken down, folded up, and placed on the truck to be hauled to town, Troop 41 was already talking about returning to Camp Smitty again next year. One of the visiting leaders was overheard telling another that his summer camp experience was so awesome that he was going to try to convince his brother, who is also a Scoutmaster, to bring his Houston, Texas Boy Scout troop to join Troops 3 and 41 at Camp Smitty in 2017.</div> <bR> <div> A few weeks after this year’s summer camp I was moved by a story that Troop 41 Scoutmaster Denzil Haney related as follows,” <I>As you know this year we took on a pre camp challenge to canoe fifty miles. Next year’s pre camp challenge will be to go over to eastern West Virginia after summer camp and climb Seneca Rock. For our young men who are growing up in the shade cast from corn and soy bean fields, Seneca Rock is a mountain.</I>”</div> <bR> <div> <B>Life is about the moments!</B> Scoutmaster Haney mentioned in passing that, “One of his boys said that he couldn’t canoe fifty miles this year but would help in any way that he could. After completing the first thirty-one miles he said he didn’t think he could go any further and didn’t want to get in the way of the rest of the boys. The last day as he finished up the final miles of the second leg of the fifty-mile effort he paddled so hard his was one of the first canoes to finish. After he arrived at the take-out area he exclaimed, “<I>I did it!</I>”</div> <bR> <div> A few weeks after the troop had returned to Missouri Scoutmaster Haney pulled up to the drive-through at McDonalds where the young man was working and asked, ”Are you going to camp with us next year? With one of the biggest smiles I ever seen he said he was going back to camp because he had a mountain to climb in West Virginia.”</div> <bR> <div> Mr. Haney sincerely believes “<I>it’s all about the moments.</I>” That’s value of the impact of Troop 3.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Looking back, I can’t help but smile and take great satisfaction in once again observing that the principles, values, and experiences at Troop 3’s annual wilderness summer camp are relevant, and valued, in today’s world. Since its’ founding, in addition to providing boundless opportunities, Troop 3 has always provided a magnificent journey of self discovery that has stretched the horizons of its members.  Thanks to the wonderful learning opportunities the boys experienced this summer I am convinced that each one left camp with an enhanced level of self-confidence, self esteem, and leadership qualities that’ll help them achieve success in their adult lives.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>