Scout Troop 5 held its Wilderness Survival Campout from October 6-8 at Sitzes Farm, located at Shover Springs. Led by Senior Patrol Leader Emma Wright, the Scouts camped for two nights in the open. Some slept in a lean-to made with trees and ropes, while the rest hung around in hammocks. Donnie Golden, the Scoutmaster in charge of the campsite, had his dog Ruger sleep in his hammock with him after the coyotes got closer than Ruger liked.
The Scouts were each issued two MREs. They cooked hot dogs and marshmallows on Friday night. Saturday morning, they bagged five squirrels, cleaned them, wrapped them in bacon, and cooked them in aluminum foil on campfire coals. For supper, the Scouts cooked a bone-in pork loin from JACO Meats. They cooked it all day over the campfire on a spit they made from wood. The result was excellent.
The weather was great, with the lows at night around 50 degrees. No mosquitoes, and the campfire felt great!
Ed Flagg supervised the spit construction. Robert Wright taught the group compass skills and assisted around camp. Scoutmasters Karen Smith and Dr. Lester Sitzes provided instruction, support, and supplies.
