July 2016
Camp Minsi, Pocono Summit, PA
Camp Minsi, Pocono Summit, PA
Friday
Friday is now over. Everyone is in their tents. We’ve had our final campfire here at Camp Minsi. What a great week it has been!
We started off the morning to go to our last classes. Some scouts were already done with their badges while others had a few remaining items to finish up. It is a mad rush for Scouts, Counselors, and Leaders. The day was sunny and in the low 80’s.
For our evening meal, we met at the parade field for our final lowering of the colors. Afterward, everyone in camp went to vespers and held a service as well as a moment of silence for the tragic events this week.
Our final dinner consisted of Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Bread, Stuffing and Apple Pie. It was a delicious dinner.
At 8:30, we went to the Final Campfire, where it was the scout’s turn to put on skits and songs. Our troop performed the “Pie Phone” skit, upon which a camp counselor received a pie in the face at the end. It was ok, as the counselors were in on it.
So we are all in our tents, hopefully sleeping. We’ll wake up at 6:30 tomorrow to start packing. We are hoping to leave here at 9am. See you in the early afternoon!
Thursday
It rained periodically throughout the night. With that said, our overnight scouts survived. The first year scouts stayed pretty dry, sleeping in the Adirondacks. The Wilderness Survival scouts teamed up with 2 others to build a bigger shelter. One got a couple hours sleep while the other didn't get any. They ate breakfast out at their sites and came back before their first class of the morning.
The morning was overcast with some mist. The mist and rain did not stop classes from going on. Today, the scouts were working hard at winding up all the requirements for their rank advancement and badges. The first year scouts went to the waterfront learning water safety and rescue along with some free play time. Meanwhile a few scouts were working back at camp on their rank advancement so they could get their Scoutmaster's Conference and Board of Review.
Thursday night was a break for camp staff. Instead of eating at the dining hall, the camp gave us the ingredients to make Shepard's Pie and S'Mores. In addition, Mr. Rozanksi brought ingredients to make a cobbler. With all his Dutch Ovens, he and several scouts made the Shepard's Pie both in a 12" and 14" Dutch ovens. The chocolate cherry marshmallow pie was made in the 16" Dutch oven. At the end of dinner nothing remained.
As part of the Communications Merit Badge requirements, 4 scouts held campfire ceremony over a roaring fire made by the other scouts. As part of the ceremony, we were shown a number of very funny skits, a musical performance by Patrick, and a presentation of US History and the Baseball history. The culmination was the retiring of 2 US flags. What a wonderful evening it was for the whole troop!
Wednesday
A correction to yesterday’s news. Elijah caught a15” large mouth bass. I went to the Camp Director (who took Elijah’s picture). She told me that after his fish was thrown back that he immediately caught another. She also said that no one else caught a fish last night and that after he caught his, they all came down to fish in his area.
After lunch, we were visited by the local county SWAT Team and Police Department. The reason is that during the year the camp lets these groups use the camp to practice and train on. So they want to give back to the camp and do a presentation to the scouts. It was so nice to see the boys interested in what they do. The SWAT Team brought out their vehicle and many gadgets. They let the scouts climb in their vehicle and play with the gadgets (all except the robot). What a great experience for all!
Today’s highlight was one that is talked about all week. From the Camp Leaders Guide. “Here’s is an experience you will never forget! This hike will take you through the muddy swamps as you hike (and occasionally swim) through mud. The event concludes with a mob of muddy Scout descending upon the waterfront to cleanse in the lake.”
3 adults and 8 scouts went on the Muck Hike. After doing a 2 hour 15 min hike through the swamp, they then went to the lake to clean up. Then after that, they all went to the showers. All of them are still picking mud off of themselves. There will be many stories from this adventure!
Tonight several of our scouts are off for their overnight adventures. 2 first year scouts are sleeping in Adirondack shelters while 2 scouts are off on the wilderness survival overnighter. The wilderness survival scouts can only bring 3 feet of rope, a tarp, and an emergency blanket. They have to go out and build a shelter to sleep under. Tomorrow around breakfast, we will see how they did!
Tuesday
The morning started out with 3 of our first years going to the waterfront at 6:30am for the Frigid Foggy. The lake was gorgeous with the mist of the water, geese swimming across the mirror like lake.
The scouts have been getting well into their merit badges. Monday, the first day is usually more instructional. Today the fun began.. Rockets (for space exploration) are being made, arrows for archery are being carved. The lake is full of many sunfish sail boats, kayaks, and canoes. Art, Leatherwork, Wood Carving, Plumbing. Fire Safety, Wilderness Survival, Environmental Science and so many more!
Tonight many events happened around camp; Supershoot at the shooting range, Slip and Slide Kickball, a Fishing Derby, and swimming and boating. Elijah, one of our first year scouts, won the camp wide Fishing Derby. He caught a 15 inch small mouth bass. Congratulations to Elijah!
I am sending a small variety of pictures this evening. You will see some of our scouts working on the Plumbing Merit Badge. Our Scoutmaster has been very busy all around camp making sure all the scouts get to their classes. There is a picture of scouts enjoying their lunch. At our campfire tonight, Matthew, John W., and Chris C. assisted Mr. Rozanski make the troop Dutch Oven Monkey Bread. What a way to end a gorgeous day!
Monday
Today was our first day full of classes and what a day it was. We started the day off very early. We had 3 scouts wanting to do the Frigid Froggy. At 5:50 am, we headed down to the waterfront to have the boys take an early dip in the lake. Our 3 scouts enjoyed it so much, they want to do it tomorrow and every day. If they go all 5 days, they will receive a special patch. So far no other takers for the early morning swim. And to add, these three are first year scouts.
Breakfast consisted of pancakes, tater tots and donuts. The scouts ate quite a bit in preparation for the full day ahead of them. There is the morning session (3 class periods), followed by lunch and a siesta, then an afternoon session of 3 periods. The day went by pretty smoothly in getting everyone to their classes. We had scouts doing: swimming, kayaking, sailing, fishing, mammal study chess, art, painting, wood carving, wood working, plumbing, archaeology, fire safety, geocaching, archery, and maybe a few more.
Back at camp, we had a few critters come by. In the morning, we saw 2 fawn and a garter snake. And in the afternoon we saw 2 turkey come through our site
One thing to add about the pictures, In one of them, you will see a canon, At every breakfast and dinner, they shoot off the canon. It is part of the flag raising and lowering ceremony. Along with the bugler, it makes a very memorable experience for all!
After dinner, some of the scouts went to the trading post, while others did homework or went to the waterfront and played on the inflatable slides, seesaws and more. Later when it got dark, 7 scouts and 4 adults went to the parade field and saw the night sky through a large telescope with the aid of an astronomy expert. We easily saw the big dipper, but also Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.
Sunday
We made it to Camp Minsi! After waking up very early on Sunday and leaving St. Matthews Church around 8am, we arrived around 11:45. From what I heard, several scouts started falling asleep in Crofton, with the remaining falling asleep just north of Baltimore. So it was a very peaceful ride up.
We dropped off the trailer and went to lunch at that place Mr. Rozanski calls the Scottish place - McDonalds. Needless to say the scouts were very hungry. Upon arriving bak at camp, we did the formal check-in, where we did our med re-checks, tour of the mess hall, campsite visit, then finally the waterfront to do the swim tests. Most everyone passed their swimmers test, and a couple will need to followup for a retake. Dinner at the mess hall was outside for a bbq; hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, pasta salad and ice cream.
The evening ended at the Camp Fire down by the lake. With a huge roaring fire on one side, the camp staff put on great skits, songs and stories. What a beautiful way to end the evening. Afterwards we all went back to our site and everyone hit their tents pretty fast. I will try to post updates and pictures daily.
Friday is now over. Everyone is in their tents. We’ve had our final campfire here at Camp Minsi. What a great week it has been!
We started off the morning to go to our last classes. Some scouts were already done with their badges while others had a few remaining items to finish up. It is a mad rush for Scouts, Counselors, and Leaders. The day was sunny and in the low 80’s.
For our evening meal, we met at the parade field for our final lowering of the colors. Afterward, everyone in camp went to vespers and held a service as well as a moment of silence for the tragic events this week.
Our final dinner consisted of Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Bread, Stuffing and Apple Pie. It was a delicious dinner.
At 8:30, we went to the Final Campfire, where it was the scout’s turn to put on skits and songs. Our troop performed the “Pie Phone” skit, upon which a camp counselor received a pie in the face at the end. It was ok, as the counselors were in on it.
So we are all in our tents, hopefully sleeping. We’ll wake up at 6:30 tomorrow to start packing. We are hoping to leave here at 9am. See you in the early afternoon!
Thursday
It rained periodically throughout the night. With that said, our overnight scouts survived. The first year scouts stayed pretty dry, sleeping in the Adirondacks. The Wilderness Survival scouts teamed up with 2 others to build a bigger shelter. One got a couple hours sleep while the other didn't get any. They ate breakfast out at their sites and came back before their first class of the morning.
The morning was overcast with some mist. The mist and rain did not stop classes from going on. Today, the scouts were working hard at winding up all the requirements for their rank advancement and badges. The first year scouts went to the waterfront learning water safety and rescue along with some free play time. Meanwhile a few scouts were working back at camp on their rank advancement so they could get their Scoutmaster's Conference and Board of Review.
Thursday night was a break for camp staff. Instead of eating at the dining hall, the camp gave us the ingredients to make Shepard's Pie and S'Mores. In addition, Mr. Rozanksi brought ingredients to make a cobbler. With all his Dutch Ovens, he and several scouts made the Shepard's Pie both in a 12" and 14" Dutch ovens. The chocolate cherry marshmallow pie was made in the 16" Dutch oven. At the end of dinner nothing remained.
As part of the Communications Merit Badge requirements, 4 scouts held campfire ceremony over a roaring fire made by the other scouts. As part of the ceremony, we were shown a number of very funny skits, a musical performance by Patrick, and a presentation of US History and the Baseball history. The culmination was the retiring of 2 US flags. What a wonderful evening it was for the whole troop!
Wednesday
A correction to yesterday’s news. Elijah caught a15” large mouth bass. I went to the Camp Director (who took Elijah’s picture). She told me that after his fish was thrown back that he immediately caught another. She also said that no one else caught a fish last night and that after he caught his, they all came down to fish in his area.
After lunch, we were visited by the local county SWAT Team and Police Department. The reason is that during the year the camp lets these groups use the camp to practice and train on. So they want to give back to the camp and do a presentation to the scouts. It was so nice to see the boys interested in what they do. The SWAT Team brought out their vehicle and many gadgets. They let the scouts climb in their vehicle and play with the gadgets (all except the robot). What a great experience for all!
Today’s highlight was one that is talked about all week. From the Camp Leaders Guide. “Here’s is an experience you will never forget! This hike will take you through the muddy swamps as you hike (and occasionally swim) through mud. The event concludes with a mob of muddy Scout descending upon the waterfront to cleanse in the lake.”
3 adults and 8 scouts went on the Muck Hike. After doing a 2 hour 15 min hike through the swamp, they then went to the lake to clean up. Then after that, they all went to the showers. All of them are still picking mud off of themselves. There will be many stories from this adventure!
Tonight several of our scouts are off for their overnight adventures. 2 first year scouts are sleeping in Adirondack shelters while 2 scouts are off on the wilderness survival overnighter. The wilderness survival scouts can only bring 3 feet of rope, a tarp, and an emergency blanket. They have to go out and build a shelter to sleep under. Tomorrow around breakfast, we will see how they did!
Tuesday
The morning started out with 3 of our first years going to the waterfront at 6:30am for the Frigid Foggy. The lake was gorgeous with the mist of the water, geese swimming across the mirror like lake.
The scouts have been getting well into their merit badges. Monday, the first day is usually more instructional. Today the fun began.. Rockets (for space exploration) are being made, arrows for archery are being carved. The lake is full of many sunfish sail boats, kayaks, and canoes. Art, Leatherwork, Wood Carving, Plumbing. Fire Safety, Wilderness Survival, Environmental Science and so many more!
Tonight many events happened around camp; Supershoot at the shooting range, Slip and Slide Kickball, a Fishing Derby, and swimming and boating. Elijah, one of our first year scouts, won the camp wide Fishing Derby. He caught a 15 inch small mouth bass. Congratulations to Elijah!
I am sending a small variety of pictures this evening. You will see some of our scouts working on the Plumbing Merit Badge. Our Scoutmaster has been very busy all around camp making sure all the scouts get to their classes. There is a picture of scouts enjoying their lunch. At our campfire tonight, Matthew, John W., and Chris C. assisted Mr. Rozanski make the troop Dutch Oven Monkey Bread. What a way to end a gorgeous day!
Monday
Today was our first day full of classes and what a day it was. We started the day off very early. We had 3 scouts wanting to do the Frigid Froggy. At 5:50 am, we headed down to the waterfront to have the boys take an early dip in the lake. Our 3 scouts enjoyed it so much, they want to do it tomorrow and every day. If they go all 5 days, they will receive a special patch. So far no other takers for the early morning swim. And to add, these three are first year scouts.
Breakfast consisted of pancakes, tater tots and donuts. The scouts ate quite a bit in preparation for the full day ahead of them. There is the morning session (3 class periods), followed by lunch and a siesta, then an afternoon session of 3 periods. The day went by pretty smoothly in getting everyone to their classes. We had scouts doing: swimming, kayaking, sailing, fishing, mammal study chess, art, painting, wood carving, wood working, plumbing, archaeology, fire safety, geocaching, archery, and maybe a few more.
Back at camp, we had a few critters come by. In the morning, we saw 2 fawn and a garter snake. And in the afternoon we saw 2 turkey come through our site
One thing to add about the pictures, In one of them, you will see a canon, At every breakfast and dinner, they shoot off the canon. It is part of the flag raising and lowering ceremony. Along with the bugler, it makes a very memorable experience for all!
After dinner, some of the scouts went to the trading post, while others did homework or went to the waterfront and played on the inflatable slides, seesaws and more. Later when it got dark, 7 scouts and 4 adults went to the parade field and saw the night sky through a large telescope with the aid of an astronomy expert. We easily saw the big dipper, but also Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.
Sunday
We made it to Camp Minsi! After waking up very early on Sunday and leaving St. Matthews Church around 8am, we arrived around 11:45. From what I heard, several scouts started falling asleep in Crofton, with the remaining falling asleep just north of Baltimore. So it was a very peaceful ride up.
We dropped off the trailer and went to lunch at that place Mr. Rozanski calls the Scottish place - McDonalds. Needless to say the scouts were very hungry. Upon arriving bak at camp, we did the formal check-in, where we did our med re-checks, tour of the mess hall, campsite visit, then finally the waterfront to do the swim tests. Most everyone passed their swimmers test, and a couple will need to followup for a retake. Dinner at the mess hall was outside for a bbq; hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, pasta salad and ice cream.
The evening ended at the Camp Fire down by the lake. With a huge roaring fire on one side, the camp staff put on great skits, songs and stories. What a beautiful way to end the evening. Afterwards we all went back to our site and everyone hit their tents pretty fast. I will try to post updates and pictures daily.