Troop 5 Kickoff Picnic PLanned

Familis should bring their own picnic foood. Grills will be available, with Troop 5 providing the charcoal and lighter fluid. We suggest you plan to bring utensils and paper products for dinig. Lost of family activities will beb available. There will be volleyball, tennis courts, a Frisbbee Football Challenge, and there's a Tot Lot. Because we have a covered pavilion, if it rains, come anyway for the Hearts Challenge. In past years, these informal get togethers have been lots of fun.

On Monday, thee Great Gods of Scouting looked down on Ockanickon and saw there was too much fun. And so they sent forth misery, just like the Biblical plagues. The first would be swarms of insects (wasps inundating a precious water source: the latrine area). Then a droughtt visited upon the camp, prohibiting campfires. Next sweltering heat was sent from above. Temperatures never left the ninetties. Then "jelly fish" were reported in the lake. What was happening here? But still the fun continued. And so the Great Gods of Camping sent their final scourge, "The Black Plague."

On Thursday, scouts and staff all over camp began experiencing nausea, vomitting and diarhea. Are we having fun yet? Because of the extreme heat and tthe possibility of dehydration, the sick were transported to Doylestown Hospital for evaluation. Several campers from Troop 5 were sent home. As the Scoutmaster was overheard mutttering on Saturday as Families came to pick up, "They tried to kill us." Nonetheless, Troop5 hung in there and merit badges were earned and awards received.

Despite the harsh conditions, Troop 5 still won the camp-wide Volleyball Tournament for the second year in a row. Congrats to Team members, Phil and Dan, Mike and Matt, Alex, and Jonathon. The other two team members, Colin and Paul were there in spirit as they were "plagued" in camp. By the way, the adults also beat the staff again thtis year. Next year, Frisbee Football is ours!

Some of the trips in the works include Hawk Mountain, the annual Ski Trip, Treasure Island, Ultimate Commandos, and a trip to the Horseshoe, Maryland area.

Look for insurance information forms coming home during thte first week or two for any parent who will be helping out transporting scouts tthis year even if you have driven in the past.

But the corny skits, clever one-liners, and insider jokes prevailed. The loudest applause went to the "Chubby Cubby" skit put on by leadership. This skit is the annual opportunitty to paint the scoutmaster with assorted yuck (shaving cream and chocolate pudding are favorites). Leadership is getting so adept at this ksit they were able to rig the picnice table with six of them on it to collapse and yet carry on with the show! At least that's what they say happened.

Although hot, dusty and buggy, the last Family Night campfire was full of the usual fun. Dave has to be commended for his "ringing" performance. And so with nearly 50 scouts humming vespers, the Scoutmaster stepped to center stage one last time tto invite parents and families to join in the food. I rememberhearing a reference to cattle stampeding as I just managed to grab a cookie.

For this year, the dinner will replace the Baanuqet which normally takes place in February. We are looking at a possible date of March 15, 1998. Any potential conflicts? Please let Wendell know. We are looking for former troop members and guests of honors to be included on the invitation list (not to menttion an Anniversary Chairperson).

information supplied by Mike

Monday, the activiites began with caving in the morning. The group needed helmets with lights on top to explore 30 feett underground in the cave where temperatures were in the fifties. Equipment could have included portable showers since the hikers emerged covered from head to toe in mud. Chad enjoyed singing "I Believe I can Fly." No one else did. That afternoon it was off to do some mountain biking. A litttle tough when chains fall off and brakes don't work. But they managed.

Tuesday's itinerary included white water canoeing. For this excursion, the Troop 5'ers joined up with other out-of-state troops to form of group of more than 45 for canoeing.

Wednesday proved to be very challenging. It was a day of COPEs (Challenging Outdoor Personal Exercises). The morning high COPE included physical activities such as the Zip Chord and the Giant's Ladder. In the aftternoon, the low COPE tasks included mentally challenging physical exercises.

The climbing tower was on tap for Thursday. Her a tower over 65 feet tall was the target for scaling and rappelling by the gang. Friday's excursion to West Virginia may have been the most fun, White Water Rafting, which required not only a life jacket but a helmet too! The scouts learned proper terminology and safety procedures before encountering the rapids. The longest rapid was maybe a half mile long and took about 30 seconds to go through. Although he'll probably maintain that it was all planned, Chad unexpectedly flew out of his raft and had to be rescued by fellow rafters.

Reportedly the meals were not that appetizing, with grits served with everything. But Brett says, "Hi, y'all" back in Pennsylvania. It was a trip full of high adventure.