As of mid June there were several Scouts and several Adults putting in their reservations for a spot. Each site has room for a whole Troop or even two if they are small. We are returning to Site #9 after missing last year because of a lack of adults available that particular week.

The Scouts are looking forward to all the activities available. More than can fit in a day, or even the whole week. There's just so much that can be done.

At the Waterfront there is Swimming, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing and Fishing. In Nature there is Nature, Reptile Study, Forestry, Wildlife Management, Environmental Science, Amphibian Study and even Bird Study. Scoutskills has Camping, Hiking Cooking and Pioneering. Woodcarving, Basketry, Metalwork, Indian Lore and Leatherwook can be found in Handicrafts. Field Sports has Archery, Personal Fitness, Athletics and Rifle and/or Shotgun shooting.

Then there are a few other things to do. The half or Mile Swim, Snorkeling, C.O.P.E. course in the High Adventure area, Rappeling and Climbing. An on and on. Each day is everything and also the quiet of a beutiful afternoon in the depths of a deep evergreen forest.

Summer Camp is a mixture of what you want to do and what is already programed as part of the daily schedule. Ah, I can almost smell the bacon cooking on an early morning as Scouts and adults prepare Breakfast.

This year we are expecting a couple of the graduating Webelos from Pack 563 to be going to camp with us. This will give them a jump on the first year in the Boy Scout program with Troop 350.

The adults of the Troop are also looking to make the trip up to the foothills of Catskills in Sullivan County. It's time well spent helping the Scouts and finding a little relaxation along the way. Just what's needed to re-energize the spirit for the coming season.

This ought to be a great week. This ought to be a great Summer. See ya at Camp!

It's Sunday the 28th and we have checked in with the Office. That's to pay the bill for our stay for the eight days. We meet our Site Guide who will show us what needs to be done today and make it as quick as is possible.

With our Guide it's to the medical re-check. Want to make sure nothing has changed since we had our medical exams. Now it's time to hit the water for the swim test. Everyone is a swimmer!

We stop at the Quatermasters to pick-up some equipment we will use for the week. A Patrol Cook Kit, Cheff's Kit and cleaning materials and other odds and ends. Off to our Site with the gear.

The rest of the afternoon is to set up the site. Everyone settles into the tent of their choice. All look for wood and help cut it up so we can cook Breakfasts and Lunches. Then Suppertime comes and Scouts go to pickup the troop's Heaterstack with our Ravioli Dinner and Cake for dessert.

After supper there's free time to play or explorethe Camp. At 8:45pm our Guide takes the Troop to the opening campfire presented by the Staff. Skits and songs and a really good program. What a way to end the first day. But end it must. So even though still excited we go back to the Site and hit the hay on comfortable cots.

MONDAY ==> FRIDAY

Each day is fairly similar, but that's not to say it's the same. We Got to our Activities sessions in the morning and afternoon. Most are based or ourdoor Merit Badges. So we are having fun, Lerning and if completed we will be recognized with the Merit Badge earned.

Each evening is a different program. Monday Night at the Movies, an Ice Cream Social, Camp-wide Scavenger Hunt --- TROOP 350 WINS FIRST PLACE!!! --- Staff vs. Leaders Softball competition, and a Closing Campfire with the Troop performing it's favorite song.

Mixed in are open activies such as Kayaking, Fishing, C.O.P.E., Archery, Rifle Shooting or Newt and Red Eft hunting. Then, on Saturday, all the favorite activies are open and different times and we spend the time ejoying one more time. Time is included for Services at 7pm and then personal free time to go over the week and to munch on snack and wind down from a busy week.

But, as with all good things, the week at Camp Aquehonge comes to a close on Sunday Morning. We see our Guide again by 9am. Dave Fairhust arrives with the van and we pack up. Walter goes to the Office and fininhes the check out. We get lunches, buy our last snack at the Trading Post and it's load up, were off.

A stop in Stokes State Forest in New Jersey provides a place atop Sunrire Mountain for lunch. The we continue into New York City and arrive in Sunset Park at Dave's house. Unload the Troop equiprment and Dave drops off each person in the van.

Summer Camp is over (until next year)

The Conference was set up for Lutheran Scout Leaders to come together to learn how Scouting can help the youth Ministry of the Church and how the Youth Ministry program of the Church can benefit by using the resources of Scouting. To some extent the participants were encouraged to think 'out of the Scouting box'.

It wasn't all work while attending the conference. Many of the participants at the Conference brought their family members with them. There were even friends of some of the boys and girls along with the families. The Philmont Training Center offers a program for different age groups from the Small Fry, through teens for the children. It has also for the spouses of the participants a full range of activities while the leader is participating in the Conference sessions. During sessions there are activites either planned or available for everyone not in a session.

It took two days by Amtrak trains to reach Raton, New Mexico from New York. Then the Philmont bus brought our Scoutmaster to the site of the conference near Cimarron, New Mexico of western fame.

The week went by so fast. It seemed no sooner had it started then it was over and the return trip started. It was an excellant conference. Learning about the Emblems program and the possibilities of the Venturing program were just a few of the topics covered.

The Philmont Scout Ranch is as they put it "Scouting's paradise". It is worth another trip at some point in the future.

It was to be our Annual Turkey Roast Campout to Quail Hill Scout Reservation in Manalapan, New Jersey. Problems had developed with transportation with the two Vans normally available now out of commission. Thanks to Ms. Lelia Johnson from St. Jacobi Lutheran Church we were about borrow a van for the weekend.

What a weekend. As is our tradition, a full Turkey Dinner is prepared outdoors. There was the Turkey, Stuffing, Garlic Bread, Yams, Corn-on-the-Cob and Pies for Dessert.
Were we ever stuffed!

But we did party!

There was of course food. There's always food when we have a party. We had the grab bag gifts from and to each Scout. There were the few 'extra' gifts that just happen to show up from the Troop or from someone else. There were even Christmas Carols this year! Ho Ho Ho!