By: Orest Hrycak
Cranford’s Troop 75 had an eventful and productive week of summer camp at the Winnebago Scout Reservation, located in Rockaway, N.J. from July 24-30.
Thirty-six Scouts and 5 adult leaders attended, with the Boy Scouts learning Scout skills, renewing friendships, and just plain-old having fun.
ach year, summer camp at Winnebago Scout Reservation features a particular theme. The 2016 theme was the “The Old West at Winnebago,” with the slogan “Old West, the Best!” resoundingly shouted back to camp leader Mr. Rich Mager, a Winnebago legend in his own right since 1959. While the weather was mostly hot and rainy, the clear morning air in the woods and a swim in the lake resulted in a great time for all the Boy Scouts and adult leaders who attended.
The Scouts were kept very busy all week in Merit Badge workshops, recreational sports, an all-night Fire-Watch around the Troop campfire, Camp wide Games, a Water Carnival, a Movie Night and Scout-generated campfire entertainment.
After filling out their stacks of “Blue Cards,” each Scout worked on 3-6 Merit Badges, learning more about practical areas such as First Aid, Cooking, Camping, Hiking, Wilderness Survival, Communications, Cycling, Personal Management, Space Exploration and 85 other areas of interest.
Three meals per day are served for the 300 plus participants and camp staff at the centrally located dining hall. The dining hall staff did a great job of providing delicious and nutritious meals. All the Boy Scouts took turns serving their fellow Scouts as waiters, setting the table and cleaning up after each meal.
On Tuesday night, all Scout Troops cooked their dinner in their individual campsites. According to the Wild West theme, Troop 75 cooked up excellent Tex-Mex fajitas and won the Dutch Oven Dessert Competition with their Famous “McNamara Surprise” Blueberry Cobbler. After Wednesday night dinner, all Scouts had the opportunity to burn off whatever energy they had left at the Camp wide Games, then enjoy the rest of the evening together at “Movie Night.” Not to be left out, the Troop 75 adult leaders took part in an “Old Man of the Mountain” rifle competition, a “Robin Hood” archery contest and a “Turkey Shoot” shotgun blast. The Friday afternoon Water Carnival was a nail-biter, with Troop 75’s champion swimmers coming out as dark horse winners.
Before you could blink, it was Saturday and the week was over, with Scouts packing up their equipment and heading home.
Troop 75 adult leaders Cheryl Macri (Advancement Chair), Rob McNamara (Camp Leader, Assistant Scout Master (ASM) and Cobbler Crafter), Lou Cartnick (ASM), Orest Hrycak (ASM) and Lou Constable (ASM) all worked hard to make this year’s excursion a success.
If your 11-18 year old son would like to participate in Boy Scouting, contact us via the Troop 75 website at “MyTroop75.org” or go to “BeAScout.scouting.org”
(above) The exclusive Winnebago Scout Reservation Zip Line provided many adventures crossing Durham Pond.
(above) Winnebago Scout Reservation summer camp staff officially opened the week with Camp formation and traditional flag raising ceremony which took place at the WSR parade field.
Photos courtesy of Orest Hrycak.
