by Lester Sitzes

Troop 5 went on their annual Rivers Trip recently. Staying at BSA Camp
Orr which is near Jasper, Arkansas on the Buffalo River, the youth and
leaders floated 12 miles of the river and explored Lost Valley with its
caves and waterfalls. They also hiked to Twin Falls and stayed in the Camp
Orr dining hall with two stone fireplaces. It was pretty cold at night and
the Scouts kept big fires going.

After spending three days on the Buffalo River the Scouts travelled to White
Hole Resort on the White River, north of Flippin, Arkansas.  Owners Steve
and Lin Willets host Troop 5 every year at the resort providing breakfast
and a fish fry for the group.  The Scouts fished on the White River with
guides in boats catching trout for the fish fry.  The Scouts also toured
WAPSI Fly Company in Mountain Home with a demonstration on tying flies by T
L Lauerman.

Throwing axes at targets was very popular with the Scouts at Sharp Edges,
home of the Screaming Chicken.  After working up their appetites chunking
steel they went to Brick Oven to eat a large amount of pizza.

On the last day of the trip the Scouts were treated to fly fishing with
guides at Dry Run Creek near the Norfork Federal Fish Hatchery.  In Mountain
View they made their regular stop at the Wing Shack, a popular place to eat.
Home of the Hubcap Burger. 

On the trip were: Emma Wright, Senior Patrol Leader; D'Aunna Golden and Mary
Martinez, Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders; Melody Martinez, Dakota Greer,
Ayla Carver, Billy Roe, Brooklyn Robertson, Amanda Greer, William Greer,
Donnie Golden, Ed Flagg, Joe Flagg, Lester Sitzes and Karen Smith,
Scoutmaster. Larry England came on the Buffalo River and helped.  A special
Scout who camped with Troop 5 was Emily Williams, the daughter of the Camp
Ranger at Camp Orr. 

Thanks to the many people who contributed to making this trip a success.