Camping

Target Tenderfoot 2022

June 8, 2022
Erik Weaver

This May, Troop 581 took its newest Scouts to Camp Snyder in Haymarket to get a jump start on Scout and Tenderfoot rank requirements. For most of these Scouts, it was also their first opportunity to camp with the troop as Boy Scouts. Unfortunately, the campout fell on the hottest weekend of the year to date with temperatures hovering around 95 degrees. But a Scout is cheerful and its was a great success.

Sunset at the cabins of Camp Snyder
Scout leadership getting some guidance from our Scoutmaster
Evening flag ceremony and announcement to officially kick-off the campout

The troop set up camp on the far side of Camp Snyder near the cabins. After settling in and some announcements from the acting SPL, everyone turned in for the night. Bright and early the next day, our new Scouts woke up and immediately began some morning exercise with Scoutmaster Kosa to get started on the Tenderfoot fitness requirements. This included pushups, sit-ups and a 1-mile walk/run. Then it was time for breakfast before the day’s program. For the rest of the day, the new Scouts were instructed by more senior Scouts as well as some adult leaders on various Scout and Tenderfoot requirements. This included learning about the Scout Oath and Law, learning how the troop is organized, knife safety, first aid, and flag ceremonies.

Our newest Scouts start the day with some exercise
Sit ups are part of the Tenderfoot fitness requirements
First year Scouts used their patrol cooking gear making breakfast for the first time
Our older Scouts provided much of the training on basic Scout knowledge
Working on knots

Several older, more experienced Scouts were also at camp. Camp Snyder was hosting Cub Scouts from across the National Capital Area Council this weekend for their “Bulls Eye Family Camping” event and our older Scouts manned one of the stations that the cubs could visit. Our Scouts played games with the cubs and, during lulls in activity, worked with the supervising ASMs on 2nd and 1st Class Scout requirements. Later, at the Camp Snyder campfire, they performed a kit and sang a song for all the Cub Scout families.

Older Scouts playing with the Cub Scouts

The campout was a great success. Our first year Scouts are almost all complete with Scout rank requirements and well on their way to Tenderfoot. Additionally, the troop provided great leadership and support to the Council’s Cub Scout event. It was a tribute to all the Scouts and leaders in attendance that despite the extreme heat, the troop had no heat-related injuries – Be Prepared!