Troop 95 of Georgetown continues summer camp traditions
In early August, a group of 30 scouts and 10 leaders from Troop 95 of Georgetown spent a week at Camp Horseshoe in Chester County, Pa. This was Troop 95’s 30th year at Horseshoe.
Upon arrival, the scouts unloaded footlockers and troop gear, and set up at the Timberline campsite. Everyone got in their swimsuits for the BSA swim test at the pool, a brief tour of camp and health checks.
Monday marked the start of merit badge classes for older scouts. First-year campers headed to Trailblazers to work on rank requirements needed to advance. Standard patrol work projects were assigned.
Every day, scouts enjoyed lunch and dinner in the Allen Memorial Dining Hall, camp-wide games, tubing on the Octoraro River, vespers, turtle derby races, snacks including ice cream sundaes, marching at retreat and preparing for Saturday’s Paul Bunyan Field Day. By week’s end, Troop 95 scouts had earned a total of 86 merit badges. Awards, segments and patches were presented to the scouts Friday night. The prestigious Silver Buckle Award for Troop 95 was presented to Harry Hudson, senior patrol leader.
Saturday after breakfast, the troops attended chapel, then the Trailblazers went to hike the yellow trail. Camp had to be packed up as scouts prepared for the Paul Bunyan events. Hikers returned just in time for lunch along with their families and Cub Scouts from Pack 95 plus their parents.
Paul Bunyan Field Day events included the string burning, nine-knot relay, two-man saw, Babe the blue ox hunt, giant clove hitch, log toss, Paul Bunyan look-alike and tug-of war. Troop 95 took first place for the 2022 Paul Bunyan Field Day.
While scouts finished packing up camp, family members headed to the parade field to find the best place to watch retreat. Troops and color guards marched to their place and were put at rest so the Octoraro Lodge 22 Arrowmen, in their official regalia, took the field for the Order of the Arrow tap out. Troop 95 scouts Lincoln Hazel, John Teoli and Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Teoli were all tapped out as OA candidates. The Arrowmen departed, and retreat was finalized as the troops marched in pass and review form.
On the way home, the troop stopped at Buck’s Tavern in Rising Sun, Md., for a seated dinner and fellowship. Other guests at the restaurant and the manager and wait staff complimented the well-mannered group of scouts.
Special thanks go to leaders and scouts for a great summer camp, and to the parents supporting their sons as part of the Troop 95 family.
For Troop 95 membership information, contact Louise Rathfon, committee chair, at trathfon@comcast.net.
