Circle 10 Tree Plant

February 25-27, 2000

The troop participated in the annual Circle 10 Council tree plant event. One weekend each year, all scouting units in the council are asked to perform a service project in which trees are planted at all the Circle 10 camping facilities. Troop 57 supported this year's efforts at Camp Wisdom.

The troop arrived on Friday night, just in time to prove the traditional saying, "57 is in the field therefore you know it's gonna rain!" Despite the challenges offered by the weather and (lack of) equipment, the resourcefulness and experience of 57's scouts prevailed and all had a dry night's sleep. I understand that members of the Lightning patrol are in the process of putting together a basic wet weather camping skills curriculum which will be made available to interested parties (including certain members of the troop committee).
Saturday morning, the troop formed into two work crews and planted trees in the field sports area of the camp.

Later Saturday afternoon, we conducted a compass course to fulfill advancement requirements.
Troop 57 is known for eating well in the field, and this weekend was no exception. After Saturday's evening meal was finished there were a number of roving gypsy's offering their leftovers to interested parties.

Due to the county-wide fire ban which was in effect, our normal Saturday night conflagration was replaced by random story telling by various scouts and scouters, followed by the telling of a random story which we all made up as we went along.

We were rewarded with a dry although somewhat cooler night Saturday night, and since we were less than an hour from home we were able to have a leisurely Sunday morning. (Ask the Man patrol about having breakfast in bed.) We secured the camp, packed our gear, had a very well done chapel service (thanks Kenneth) and headed for home -- after an opportunity to work on Eagle Scout requirement #2.