by Andy Zlotnick
Troop 222 took 15 scouts and their leaders to Columbia County to participate in the Mahikan District Woodsman Challenge. On May 15 through 17, the troop traveled to the Columbia County fairgrounds along with about 300 other scouts from around the region. The scouts came together to compete in backwoodsman skills. The Scouts followed a course that took them to an archery range, where they had five scouts draw down on the targets with the highest two scores being combined for the troop score.
They slung sling shots, threw tomahawks, followed a compass (orienteering) course, threw caber poles, threw for distance with a wet mop head (haggis throw), cut a log with a two man saw, and competed in a tug-of-war. Overall the scouts had fun and the troop took third place in the two-man saw competition with a log cut time of 59 seconds. The troop camped in tents and learned some new camping skills. The troop held a Boy Scout “Cracker Barrel” Friday night and invited other troops to their campsite to share a few snacks and meet some new friends.
One of the highlights of this Camporee was the Pig Roast and BBQ. The boys got to choose from Oink, Cluck or Moo Pork, (Chicken and Hamburger and Hotdogs) Every troop brought a covered dish and dessert made in a Dutch oven. Troop 222 made Coca-Cola BBQ Chicken Legs and S’mores cookie pie. They were so popular that they were both completely eaten by the time the boys from the troop made their way to the serving table. In the evening the troop went to Scout Vespers (Church) followed by the Order of the Arrow induction/Tap out. Troop 222 is proud to announce that Star Scout CJ Bortnick was elected to the Order of the Arrow and tapped at Saturday night’s ceremony.
To join Scouting, contact Andy Zlotnick, Scoutmaster Troop 222: 658-9066 or azlotnick_40@yahoo.com.
