The trip started at the church where everyone loaded their gear into the trailer, kissed their folks goodbye and formed into their patrols. At this time they were known as Patrols 1,2,3 and 4. The hosting Scoutmaster told us the simple rules including KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELVES, and EVERYONE HAVE FUN! These rules are listed in caps because they represent the rule that was followed the least and the rule that was followed the most. Then, we loaded into the cars and headed to Dead River.
Once we got there, we formed into patrols as the scouts prepared the campsite and the men set up their own tents outside the camp. Once the gear was unloaded and piled up, we grabbed our stuff and hiked back to the camp as patrols to set up.
Setting up camp in the dark took a little longer than setting up camp with parents during the day, but everyone got their tents put together and collected their gear entered their tents with the last boy in at about 12:00 midnight. All along, the Boy Scout patrol leaders were there to help. Once everyone got into their tents, I noticed that there was some gear including a sleeping bag left in the assembly area. Someone had to be freezing in their tent without their sleeping bag. The Senior Patrol Leader went from tent to tent and found the boy who was shivering and needed a sleeping bag.
That night, the temperature dipped into the low 40’s and the next morning, everyone woke up cold and hungry. With some difficulty, patrol boxes were erected, propane stoves came alive and bacon and pancakes started sizzling. It was at this point that we all learned why the scout motto, BE PREPARED, is so important. In some patrols, cooking utensils were not in their proper place, so breakfast was delayed. In other patrols, food was in short supply and generally, there was some difficulty in getting breakfast prepared…….these were very important lessons learned, the key lessons of Back to Brownsea. In the end, the scout patrol leaders were able to get the boys the direction they needed to get their breakfasts prepared and consumed.
Right after breakfast, the patrol names were chosen, Raven, Curlews, Bulls and Wolves. Each patrol started their chants and began to come together as a group. There was a brief flag ceremony and then we all headed off to start the days program.
Activities started at 9:00 with Naturalist and Forrester. We learned about poisonous snakes and bird flyways and forests and trees. One of the cubmasters present caught a dangerous green pit viper and displayed it. Unfortunately, it got loose and attacked the boys in the Naturalist class. I guess that’s just one of the dangers of being in the wilderness. We then played a game of snake where the snake grew and grew and grew.
Lunch came next. I saw Grilled Cheese and hamburgers and lots of Doritos. Lunch went a little more smoothly as the boys gained confidence in their cooking abilities and started turning out gourmet fare that would put the Lunch Ladies in the school cafeteria to shame.
After lunch, there were more classes where we learned about knots and shelter making, Leave No Trace and the proper way to build a fire. Between sessions, the beasts, wolves and bulls, battled the birds, ravens and curlews, in a spirited tug-o-war. Patrol leaders on each side, along with the senior patrol leader, entered into the epic struggle. In the end, the brute force of the Beasts triumphed and sent the birds tumbling into a tangled mess of dirt covered arms and legs.
After the birds dusted themselves off, they started to prepare for the 3 mile hike and service project. The hike took them out to the road, across the rickety bridge spanning the deep chasm of the dead river and into the wilderness surrounding the camp.
When the hike concluded, the boys found that three turkeys and about 100 baked potatoes had been prepared by the senior scouts for a Back to Brownsea feast. The turkeys were cooked in trash cans and the potatoes were cooked on top of the coals that were cooking the turkeys. The grand finale was the apple cobbler. If the boys haven’t talked about the dessert, you have to ask them. I think that Dutch Ovens will be on everyone’s Christmas Lists.
After Dinner, the Camp Fire was lit and the skits began……Lets just say, “what happens at Back to Brownsea, stays at Back to Brownsea” Everyone, exhausted from a full day of activities, turned in very early that night. Luckily, the temperature was about 15 degrees warmer than the previous night.
In the morning the last of the food was cooked, bacon, eggs, sausage, donuts. One of the patrols made Omelets in plastic bags and wrapped them in tortillas. Yummy!!
After breakfast, all the dishes were washed, the patrol boxes were put away, and the tents were dismantled. We all then headed out to a Scout’s Own where we sang songs and heard a story about God’s gifts to all of us.
Then, it was award time. All the survivors received their patches and got ready to head home.
