This is the first separation for many boys from their parents. It was not easy for some. Nevertheless, the ones that stayed on became somewhat better at handling their manhood. Yeah, lighting farts was the big pastime at night as well as short sheeting the rookies. I remember clearly sitting in the chapel next to the open window. A beam of sunlight landed on me as I stilled myself in worship. The sky was cloudy that day except for that moment.
Greek the Clown was the mainstay that kept the scouts laughing. We enjoyed his antics at the nightly bonfires that were lit with a flaming arrow sometimes and sometimes not. People would be scared they would get shot. The arrow was shot from the other side of Bayou Liberty on a wire guide that led to the bonfire that was soaked in barbecue starter fluid. Such is life at Scout Camp. I saw my first epileptic seizure at camp. They simply put a folded handkerchief in the boy's mouth and let him thrash. The rag is so he doesn't bite his tongue and bleed to death. This has been proven to only block the airway.
There were skits performed such as 'O Wa Ta Gu Siam'. You have the captured bow down blindfolded and saying this progressively faster until he becomes enlightened. The roar of laughter was contagious. Greek would have everyone puff up and blow the mosquitoes away which is purely silly but charming and easily gets everyone involved. Our Troop 87 won the water boiling contest many times at the Scout Jamboree held each winter because we were so good at sensible pyromania. I got my mile swim merit badge one awesome year. I saved quite a few lives after I got my lifesaving qualifications together all because of Summer Camp.
There were fifty mile canoe trips to take to qualify for the Voyageur patch. This is a rare achievement. These expeditions were led by the seasoned leaders of the Cajun variety. Our leader was named Ti Jean which means little John in French just like the monk in Robin Hood. His effortless skill with the paddle was a joy to watch. The scouts who showed up for these trips were inexperienced with canoeing. They had to learn the basics. Hardheaded knuckleheads was the term most often used to describe these individuals. We had to stop and rescue them from their self inflicted troubles. They were good at going down the river sideways. They finally slid up on a stump and thumped over. They were carrying our food lockers. We were chasing oranges for miles afterwards downriver. We salvaged as much as we could. It was shortened rations for the remainder of the trip.
Greek the Clown was the mainstay that kept the scouts laughing. We enjoyed his antics at the nightly bonfires that were lit with a flaming arrow sometimes and sometimes not. People would be scared they would get shot. The arrow was shot from the other side of Bayou Liberty on a wire guide that led to the bonfire that was soaked in barbecue starter fluid. Such is life at Scout Camp. I saw my first epileptic seizure at camp. They simply put a folded handkerchief in the boy's mouth and let him thrash. The rag is so he doesn't bite his tongue and bleed to death. This has been proven to only block the airway.
There were skits performed such as 'O Wa Ta Gu Siam'. You have the captured bow down blindfolded and saying this progressively faster until he becomes enlightened. The roar of laughter was contagious. Greek would have everyone puff up and blow the mosquitoes away which is purely silly but charming and easily gets everyone involved. Our Troop 87 won the water boiling contest many times at the Scout Jamboree held each winter because we were so good at sensible pyromania. I got my mile swim merit badge one awesome year. I saved quite a few lives after I got my lifesaving qualifications together all because of Summer Camp.
There were fifty mile canoe trips to take to qualify for the Voyageur patch. This is a rare achievement. These expeditions were led by the seasoned leaders of the Cajun variety. Our leader was named Ti Jean which means little John in French just like the monk in Robin Hood. His effortless skill with the paddle was a joy to watch. The scouts who showed up for these trips were inexperienced with canoeing. They had to learn the basics. Hardheaded knuckleheads was the term most often used to describe these individuals. We had to stop and rescue them from their self inflicted troubles. They were good at going down the river sideways. They finally slid up on a stump and thumped over. They were carrying our food lockers. We were chasing oranges for miles afterwards downriver. We salvaged as much as we could. It was shortened rations for the remainder of the trip.
They would hug the shore until they ran into a low branch full of wasps. This was followed by abandoning the ship for the safety of the water until we pointed out the water moccasins sunning themselves close by. The panic that ensued was both amusing and concerning because our canoe was the only safety island around. You felt big in the shoulders after all that paddling. The feeling of accomplishment lasted into the school year. Those days are gone forever. I am trying to keep them alive with these stories about scouting in Louisiana.
We found the Bogue Chitta River to be our favorite place to camp and would spend hours driving there in sort of a caravan led by our Scoutmaster. We were always looking for new campsites for our group of Father and Son campouts that was our signature thing to do. The things we did together were memorable. It helped everyone grow into better humans.
We found the Bogue Chitta River to be our favorite place to camp and would spend hours driving there in sort of a caravan led by our Scoutmaster. We were always looking for new campsites for our group of Father and Son campouts that was our signature thing to do. The things we did together were memorable. It helped everyone grow into better humans.
Fishing in the river was how many scouts enjoyed the river. Our experiences at summer camp made singing easier and involved even the most reluctant to try to sing.
Ted was a die hard Scout with a full chest of awards from Florida. He moved to New Orleans and joined our troop with his supporting family. He is a big tall guy and the way he relates to you is intimidation first and friendliness second. We finally got Ted straightened out but he was none too happy about it. He drifted in and out of our troop but never gave up his self proclaimed authority over everyone and everything related to Scouting. When you are off everyone knows it. We all have been there.
The Scout Handbook was the most important piece of literature for any scout since it imparted instructions and guidelines from everything to dress codes and protocols, to survival in difficult situations. There is a program called Lone Scout for a boy on a farm or remote location. One can get all his scouting gear through the mail. He can sign up for things like Boys' Life Magazine which is entertaining and instructional. One can develop pen pals who actually gets involved and shares their scouting experiences with this Lone Scout.
The year Kennedy was shot in Dallas November 22nd 1963. We met at the school where we held our Thursday night meetings to prepare for a memorial. The following Sunday morning we again gathered and recited 'Captain My Captain'. We were dressed in our best uniforms as we lowered the flag to half mast. Not a dry eye in the crowd. I'd go home to parents who had no sympathy for the loss of the President. Gradually, this changed as the comparisons to the Lincoln assissination became public. It takes people a long, long time to forget about the Civil War. I know people that are still fighting that war in their dreams and daily life which is at the shallow end of the gene pool. God will bless all who sacrificed for freedom and the unity of our Country. For God's sake, learn to forget about that awful war.
Ted was a die hard Scout with a full chest of awards from Florida. He moved to New Orleans and joined our troop with his supporting family. He is a big tall guy and the way he relates to you is intimidation first and friendliness second. We finally got Ted straightened out but he was none too happy about it. He drifted in and out of our troop but never gave up his self proclaimed authority over everyone and everything related to Scouting. When you are off everyone knows it. We all have been there.
The Scout Handbook was the most important piece of literature for any scout since it imparted instructions and guidelines from everything to dress codes and protocols, to survival in difficult situations. There is a program called Lone Scout for a boy on a farm or remote location. One can get all his scouting gear through the mail. He can sign up for things like Boys' Life Magazine which is entertaining and instructional. One can develop pen pals who actually gets involved and shares their scouting experiences with this Lone Scout.
The year Kennedy was shot in Dallas November 22nd 1963. We met at the school where we held our Thursday night meetings to prepare for a memorial. The following Sunday morning we again gathered and recited 'Captain My Captain'. We were dressed in our best uniforms as we lowered the flag to half mast. Not a dry eye in the crowd. I'd go home to parents who had no sympathy for the loss of the President. Gradually, this changed as the comparisons to the Lincoln assissination became public. It takes people a long, long time to forget about the Civil War. I know people that are still fighting that war in their dreams and daily life which is at the shallow end of the gene pool. God will bless all who sacrificed for freedom and the unity of our Country. For God's sake, learn to forget about that awful war.
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