By Scott Bernier
SIDNEY — The annual Fall Scouting Camporee was held recently with a theme of “Marvel Universe Adventure.” Scouts from across the region, if not the galaxy, converged on the Silver Spur Riding Club, 126 Quaker Road, where the three-day event was held, and took part in competition and challenges as well as fun and fellowship. Scouts from Jackman, Jay, Palmyra, Randolph, Waterville, Augusta, Gardiner, Oakland, Farmingdale, Skowhegan and Chelsea participated.
The event was organized by the Scouts and leaders of Sidney Troop 401, who have been planning the event for months. Taylor Hayden of Skowhegan Troop 485 dressed up as Spiderman “He’s my favorite superhero,” Hayden said. As a new Scout, Hayden said he enjoyed the Captain America Scout Skills area the most, where Scouts went into the woods to build a survival shelter.
Jeremy Croft of Sidney is working on his First Class rank. He was one of the “Silver Surfer Relay Race” during which the Scouts carried a rock on a spoon and raced through an obstacle course. “Its a lot of fun,” Jeremy said about being able to run a station at 11-years old.
Scouts not only competed in activities but also were integral in the youth-planned camporee, run with adult supervision, said event chairman Eric Handley, who was the official Nick Fury for the event. “I am really proud of these kids,” Handley said. “The entire camporee wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have the Scouts. This was their event. They chose the theme. They chose the stations. They planned each one and then adjusted as things went along. Not everything worked out perfectly, but that is how they learn, and everyone had a lot of fun.”
The various stations challenged the Scouts on traditional Scout knowledge, with each tied into a hero or villain in the Marvel Universe. Scouts had fun at Hawkeye’s Archery Range, the Quest for the Infinity Stones Compass Course, and Captain America’s Scout Skills, among others.
Harry Bromberg from Oakland is a new Scout attending his first multi-troop camporee. He helped run the Dr Strange’s Puzzle, in which Scouts had to tie a complicated knot — a clove hitch –around a stump without being within ten feet of the stump. They had to use sticks and rope but mostly teamwork to solve the puzzle. Harry’s favorite hero is the Incredible Hulk.
Scouts also took part in Tony Stark’s Rocket Launch, where they not only built a rocket but also assembled the mechanism that launched the rocket. Some rockets flew 200 feet. This was the favorite area of new Scouts Anastasia Ames and Isabelle “Isa” Russell. Both are members of Troop 695 in Chelsea and are earning requirements towards their Tenderfoot rank.
Chris Somerset of Jackman assisted an adult at Hawkeye’s Archery Range. The 15-year old said it was fun to help teach younger Scouts how to shoot a bow and arrow safely. “My favorite Avenger is Captain America because he is honest and trustworthy,” Chris said.
There was also a reenactment from the movie “Captain America Civil War,” in which the Scouts were divided into two teams in order to capture the other team’s flag; a community dinner with meals prepared by the Scouts followed the activity. Skowhegan Troop 485 won the Youth Cooking Contest with its “Captain American Chop Suey;” the adult winner was John DeWitt of Troop 401 with Italian chicken.The evening ended with a traditional Scout campfire.
Scouts received a commemorative patch and two Marvel Comic Books as part of Scouting’s effort to encourage reading.
