Troop 581 returned to BSA’s Camp Shenandoah for its 5th Annual Advancement campout. Each year, the troop holds this campout over the 3-day Veteran’s Day weekend but because Veteran’s Day was on a Wednesday this year, the campout this time was only for 2 nights. Located in Swoope, VA, Camp Shenandoah offers great facilities including the use of its dining hall, shooting range, 8 person cabins for adult leaders, and lots of platforms for Scouts to set up patrol areas. Historically, this campout is one of the coldest of the year with temperatures routinely reaching the mid-teens but this year the troop had some of the best weather it’s ever had for camping.
Our Scouts worked all day Saturday on merit badges provided by the troop’s in-house counselors as well as advancement skills. Merit badges offered this time included Rifle Shooting, Forestry, Camping, Chemistry, Communications, and Environmental Science.
In typical fashion, each patrol had to be prepared to cook meals for the weekend. However, on Saturday evening, the adult staff provided its usual early Thanksgiving feast for the entire troop. Under the supervision of head adult grub master Chris Eichfeld, the adult leadership team provided a feast of turkey, ham and a plethora of sides and deserts to start off the holiday season right.
This is always one of the most anticipated campouts of the year and Troop 581 looks forward to returning next year. But until then, there are many more adventures to be had.