This was by far one of our best campouts we’ve ever had. But didn’t we get rained out and had to go home early on Saturday? Yes, and that’s what made it the best!
As a kid, I went camping hundreds of time while in scouts. And none of them were perfect. I’ve been through rain, blizzard, high winds, injuries, etc. A perfect campout doesn’t exist, and that’s what Trailmen learned on this one.
On Friday evening, we arrived at Pachaug State Campground to absolutely beautiful weather. Trailmen got to work right away, setting up camp and collecting dead firewood.
The weekend opened with a wonderful campfire where leaders and dads shared skits, songs, stories, and we even heard a testimony from our Troop Chaplain. Afterward was s’mores and a night game of manhunt. Then it was off to bed.
The rain started early Saturday morning, but Trailmen and dads got to work on the pancake breakfast. Even though Troopmaster Andrew forgot to bring the bacon, there were still plenty of smiles on everyone’s faces. Then the rain kicked up.
During the more calm times, we held a flag ceremony where our Navigators presented the meaning behind the 13 folds of the American Flag. We then launched into our morning activity of fire safety and fire building. Mountain Lions and Navigators diligently knocked off the requirements as they scrambled in the rain. We even had a few of them successfully light he fire despite the rain.
After huddling under the canopy for about an hour of hard rain and seeing the Foxes soaking wet from head to toe, we decided to go ahead and call it and pack it up.
I’m proud of the Trailmen and their dads for roughing it through what seemed like some impossible weather at times. Each of our Trailmen came out of this weekend with some sort of life lesson learned about how to make their camp just a little bit better. And dads got to spend at least a night camping in the woods with their sons. And that’s what Trail Life is all about.
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