Winter Boy Scout Campout

Sullivan and Shaun went on their first Boy Scout campout the weekend of October 20th. There was a camporee held about half an hour from our home which Sullivan's new troop attended. The packing list for this campout consisted of over 30 items...many of which we did not own because it was clothing and gear specifically for outdoor camping in winter weather. After spending over $1000 on Wiggy sleeping bags, backpacks, special gloves and liners, specific socks and liners, waterproof/snow pants, non cotton shirts, and even a new type of underwear...the boys were off. Sullivan loved his new pack but has to work on learning how to fit everything inside it. :) At Camporee he got to fire a old fashioned gunpowder and ball musket, watch a bow and arrows be made from scratch by mountain men, and work on his tenderfoot requirements. One of those requirements was lighting a fire from wet wood. He was taught to find a certain kind of bark that burns easily even when soaked, start the fire with that, and then build it up a little at a time until it was big enough to cook upon. Then he had to prepare lunch for his patrol. Overall both Shaun and Sullivan had a great time. Shaun said in spite of all the clothes, he had a hard time keeping warm, but Sullivan said he was really comfortable all weekend (except that the Boy Scout tents were too drafty and next time he was bringing his from home). So glad Sub had a great time...now he just needs to not grow much any time soon so he will get a lot of use out of his new clothes for a while.