Troop 61
Camp Alexander Retrospective

For those of you who might be wondering how your Scouts did at summer camp... They did just fine, thank you very much. And, for those of you who might be wondering how the Leaders did at summer camp... They did just fine, and thank you very much for the opportunity of spending a week with your Scouts. They are a great bunch of young men.

Members of Troop 61, Scorpion Patrol, Lyons, Colorado, Longs Peak Council, Arapahoe District; The Newest, The Youngest, The Smallest (in number only), THE DIRTY HALF - DOZEN have returned from the Camp Alexander Wars. Salute them as their names are called, (alphabetically, according to their new monikers). Just some of their accomplishments include:

• "Band-Aid Man" - Tenderfoot and New Scorpion Patrol Scribe: We won't go into where the name "Band-Aid Man" comes from, but Band-Aid Man was once banished from the Camp Alexander Infirmary. It seems they were running out of Band-Aids. One place where Band-Aid Man didn't earn any additional scrapes and cuts was on the record breaking climb he and his Scoutmaster made up Blue Mountain. It seems that on the day of the Blue Mountain hike, Band-Aid Man was suffering from Camp "A" Revenge, as wasn't able to make the trek with his fellow Scouts. So two days later, he and his Scoutmaster made the ascent of Blue Mountain. And they made it to the top and back in 2 hours and 15 minutes - tying the Camp "A" record for Scouts. Band- Aid Man earned his Fishing Merit Badge, his Space Exploration Merit Badge), and his Woodcarving Merit Badge. Band-Aid Man earned his fishing, hiking, shooting, conservation, POLAR BEAR, and rock climbing Activity Patches, and took part in the Conservation Project. But, most notable, Band-aid Man became a Tenderfoot Scout while at Camp Alexander, and made superior progress toward his Second Class rank. Band-Aid Man qualified as a Red Swimmer.

• "Buffalo Bill" - Scorpion Patrol Leader: Buffalo Bill was one of three Troop 61 Scouts recognized for his shooting abilities on the black powder and shotgun ranges. Buffalo Bill's recognition took place at the Friday Night - Family Night - Flag Ceremony. Buffalo Bill earned his Fishing Merit Badge, completed numerous requirements for his Riflery Merit Badge, and completed his Basketry Merit Badge (and we were all wondering what that was sticking out of your fire bucket just outside your tent. Buffalo Bill also earned his fishing, hiking, shooting, and conservation Activity Patches, and took part in the Conservation Project. Buffalo Bill qualified as a Red Swimmer. Buffalo Bill's mount for the horseback ride was J.R. But, just how do you get Hardware Store out of WWW?

• "Deadeye McCoy" - Retiring Scorpion Patrol Scribe: Publicly acknowledged by the Kermit, the black powder and shotgun instructor at the Family Night Campfire as the best black powder and shotgun shooter in Camp Alexander (only three misses all week). Deadeye McCoy was one of three of the Troop 61 Scouts recognized. Deadeye McCoy earned his Fishing Merit Badge, his Fish and Wildlife Merit Badge, and his Woodcarving Merit Badge, as well as earning his fishing, hiking, shooting, conservation, POLAR BEAR, and rock climbing Activity Patches. Deadeye McCoy was mounted atop Trooper for the horseback ride. Deadeye McCoy qualified as a Blue Swimmer. Rumor has it that Deadeye McCoy will be away from the Troop for the next year. If that is so, we will all miss you. Please get into a Scouting program while you are gone, and stay in touch. Does A.D.P. really stand for Always Dresses Pretty? And, I thought you just wore brownies.

• "Fishbait" - Camp Alexander Senior Patrol Leader: Catcher of MANY fish and giver to the Lake God of MANY lures. This is the young man who LIED to his Scoutmaster. Fishbait said he couldn't hike five miles. Fishbait, what do you call your little stroll up Blue Mountain? Fishbait spent a few hours mounted on his faithful steed Cody, and we suspect he was trying to figure out how to cast a lure from horseback. Fishbait earned his Fishing Merit Badge, completed numerous requirements for his Riflery Merit Badge, and participated with the troop in its Conservation Project. If I remember correctly, Fishbait also earned his fishing, hiking, shooting, conservation, and POLAR BEAR Activity Patches, and qualified as a Red Swimmer. Fishbait, we will all miss you when you move to Casper. Please stay in touch and please stay in Scouting. Is it true you are thinking about raising spiders as a hobby?

• "Grizzly Adams" - Camp Alexander Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: We just have one question for Grizzly Adams. Just what were you doing standing on top of the cliff beating on your climbing helmet. Were you trying to wake up your brain? Actually, there is another question. Why are your sneakers so wet? Grizzly Adams rode the range on Lady - when she wasn't trying to eat everything in sight. Grizzly Adams earned his Fishing Merit Badge, his Woodcarving Merit Badge, and his Space Exploration Merit Badge. Grizzly Adams also earned his fishing, hiking, shooting, conservation, POLAR BEAR, and rock climbing Activity Patches, and qualified as a Blue Swimmer. Grizzly Adams took part in the Conservation Project. Grizzly Adams was one of three Troop 61 Scouts recognized for his shooting abilities on the black powder and shotgun ranges. Grizzly Adams' recognition took place at the Friday Night - Family Night - Flag Ceremony.

• "Naildriver" - Scorpion Assistant Patrol Leader: For a fellow who wasn't too crazy about shooting at the rifle range, you certainly made up for it. Back in the old days, really good riflemen were known for their ability to drive nails into a tree with bullets - hence the name "Naildriver"! This Scout could shoot the freckles off a gnat's behind! Naildriver earned his Woodcarving Merit Badge and his Fishing Merit Badge. Between official activities, Naildriver could usually be found out on the lake with Fishbait and the other Scorpions threatening the local fish population. Naildriver earned his fishing, hiking, shooting, and conservation Activity Patches, and qualified as a White Swimmer. Naildriver took part in the Conservation Project. Naildriver's horse was Red. No, the horse wasn't really colored red, it was just named that.

So, what does all of this mean? Lets start with the Activity Badges. Each of these little badges which encircle the Camp Alexander Badge, constitutes a considerable effort of each Scout's part. What are they?

• Fishing involved spending a considerable amount of their free time fishing in the Camp Alexander lake. It seemed, at times, to involve just about as much time taking weeds off their fishing lures. This was an activity directed toward a merit badge requirement.

• Hiking involved getting up at 3:15 AM and starting on the Blue Mountain hike at 4:15 AM. The hike is about 5 miles round-trip, and included the climbing of Blue Mountain - about 1500 feet vertical elevation. The Blue Mountain Hike contributed toward both rank advancement and merit badge requirements.

• Shooting involved spending time in either the Rifle, Archery, or Shotgun/Blackpowder ranges. As was mentioned before, few Scouts were accorded honors for their shooting abilities. In fact, only six were recognized out of 300 Scouts attending the first session of Camp Alexander. Troop 61 accounted for four of the six: Deadeye McCoy, Buffalo Bill, Grizzly Adams, and Dastardly Dan (a late-arriving, but exceedingly welcome Adult Leader).

• Rock Climbing involved climbing THE ROCK (because it's there!). Deadeye McCoy, Grizzly Adams, and Band-Aid Man participated in this activity.

• The Conservation Project involved a Troop effort to rehabilitate one of Camp Alexander's Nature Trails, and a session on geology and the environment afterward. We have already received a certificate for our work, and will be receiving a banner to fly with our Troop flag. This is a national award. Everyone involved in the project will be adding Conservation Badges to their collections.

• The POLAR BEAR swim involved jumping into a VERY cold lake at 6:00 A.M. As the handout said, Enough Said. This bit of insanity was directed toward nothing more than FREEZING!

Three of our Adult Leaders are now "official" members of the "Old Goat Patrol." Enough said on that too. The Scoutmaster is older than Camp Alexander, you know. When the Adult Leaders were not running Scouts to the infirmary, fixing fishing rods, attending Leaders meetings, taking photographs, and walking up and down Cardiac Hill to their campsite, they managed to earn some Activity Patches ourselves. The Scoutmaster and the Program Chair. shot in the 6:00 A.M. Leaders Shoot-out, and worked with the Scouts on the Conservation Project. Additionally, the Scoutmaster earned his hiking, POLAR BEAR, and fishing patches. One of the Adult Leaders, Dastardly Dan, did the POLAR BEAR bit, and the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster qualified as Blue Swimmers. But, we have been trying to find an additional patch for the Program Chair. - one with a $ sign. You should see the accounting system she maintained to handle the Scout's accounts, but I'd better not kid her about it, she shot a bullseye at the shoot- out with the target turned backwards!

Thanks to all of you for letting all of us have a great camping experience. Plans are already underway for next summer.

Revised December 2, 1996
questions & comments to: Troop 61

URL http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/scouts/troop61/t61campa.htm