Our First Campout at Tanah Keeta
After a two-month postponement because of Hurricane Matthew, Pack 100 finally went camping at Tanah Keeta Scout Reservation for the first time on December 9. The rescheduled "Fall" Family Campout was now in the the middle of the holiday shopping season.
We arrived at our weekend home, the Seminole campground, in total darkness on Friday night. Many families loaded their personal belongings into the Pack trailer with the Pack's food and equipment, which was towed to our campsite by Wolf Den Leader Bill Ware. This was preferred over dragging wagons of equipment through the sugar sand on the nearly half-mile trek from the parking lot to the campsite. As everyone arrived, we helped each other get set up for the weekend.
The next morning, we started with a delicious breakfast of eggs and bacon. Everything was going well—even if slightly behind schedule—until our Cubmaster burned his hand after grabbing a hot skillet during meal preparation. While he visited the First Aid Station, the Pack continued with breakfast. Afterward we assembled with other Packs for the opening ceremonies and the Dens split off for morning activities.
The activities rotated every hour, with a fifteen minute break in between. Each Den had one elective Adventure class (split into three sessions throughout the day), an hour for canoeing at Clear Lake, an hour introduction to archery and/or BB guns, and an hour for the Scouts' favorite: gaga ball. While everyone was busy at classes, Chuck Emerton and a couple parents stayed back at camp to prepare for the hungry Scouts.
During the day, the weather was overcast and cool. The Dens continued with their classes, and everyone had a chance to try everything. Back at camp, we made two campfires, one big fire for making coals, and a second for heating the coffee pot. Everyone was tired and hungry when arriving back at camp, and dinner was quickly made. We all enjoyed tacos by the campfire.
In the evening, the rain started. The large evening campfire show was cancelled, so the Pack relaxed back at camp under the pavilion and around the fire. We had s'mores, hot chocolate and apple cider. It was enjoyable to relax and socialize rather than make another half-mile hike to another activity. Slowly, people disappeared into their tents, exhausted by the busy day, and by 10pm, a full hour before "lights out," most of the campsite was eerily quiet.
Sunday morning was slower than the day before, with everyone enjoying a leisurely breakfast of Pop Tarts, oatmeal and cereal. The Scouts enjoyed a couple hours of free time before teardown of the campsite. At 9am, everyone busily packed up their belongings, cleaned up around the campsite, and made final preparations to depart. At 11am, we checked out with the event staff, had our campsite inspected, and we were dismissed.
Pack 100's first campout was a success.