Our first Venture Patrol outing of the season is in the bag. A tad chilly, but nothing too much for rugged manly older scouts.
We met up at various times out at Camp Highroads near Middleburg, Virginia. A really nice campsite nestled in the tress awaited. The wind and temperature were a concern, but as it unfolded the temperature didn’t drop as much as had been forecasted, and the wind dropped more. Overall, it was a really nice pleasant evening by the fire and a snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug night in our tents.
Our intrepid senior patrol leader, Max, provided the main course (chicken stew and cheesy potatoes), all cooked in Dutch Ovens, and both of which were awesome. I then cooked a pineapple-upside-down cake, which I’m going to have to say was delicious!
We hit the sack at about 10:00 p.m. and then got up around 8:00 a.m. A nice and relaxed breakfast of oatmeal and bagels was followed by a pick-up football game and then a short walk to the high ropes course.
Zip lines and high obstacles were expertly handled by Nino and Tommy, with our other intrepid Ventures showing varying degrees of abject fear. Joseph most probably nudged Max into third bravest, with Charlie and Felix fighting for the most terrified among our venturers. Given Felix’s desire to at least try the "death drop," I’m going to give Charlie the title of "Biggest Scaredy-Cat" in our group. (I’m so proud, given that I know I would easily win this title if I were only allowed to participate, which is such a shame!. The rules of venturing don't allow foreign nationals to take part. Another advantage of hailing from Great Britain…).
Ropes were followed by lunch and then the second half of our football game. Mr. Adams expertly intercepted a pass from Charlie and scored a pick six to win the game. It is surely the highlight of his football career.
Thanks, by the way, to Mr. Adams for coming out with the boys at such short notice.
Venturing is a great experience for older scouts who are looking for new ways to challenges themselves and get the most out of scouting at their age.
Matt Salt--Scoutmaster, Troop 1916