Stone Mountain Summary 

Winter Campout Summary
January 2008

The annual trip to Stone Mountain is one that is looked forward to by all.  The Scouts are allowed to create their own activities for the weekend because none are planned ahead of time.  The adult leaders present a new challenge to Scouts each year.  This year the challenge was to cook the Saturday dinner in a Dutch oven.  Part of the challenge was that the Patrols were each given a recipe to prepare by ASM Tom Brawn (Troop 216 Dutch oven cobbler king). 

Since Stone Mountain State Park closes the park gate at 6 PM, Bob D and Ranger Rick and six Scouts left at 2 PM on Friday.  This got the Troop trailer and two cars inside the gate.  The rest of the Troop left Apex Crossing at 5:30 PM and arrived at Stone Mountain at 8:30 PM.  By this time the six Scouts who arrived early had set out propane tanks and lanterns, set up a large canopy, set up their tents and unloaded other equipment out of the trailer.

When the phone call came at 8:30 PM that the rest of the Troop had arrived, Bob D. and Ranger Rick drove to the gate to ferry in the Scout’s equipment and the Scouts hiked the mile to camp.  Cars were left behind the locked gate to be retrieved Saturday morning after breakfast.

After all the Scouts got tents set up and settled in, there was a fire started and the Scouts settled down for some campfire discussions.  Lights out was set by our new SPL Jack K. for 11:30 PM.  Yes the Scouts were in their tents on time, but the conversations could be heard later into the night – err, morning.

We were all up at 7 AM and Scouts and adults alike were preparing breakfast.  There were all the usual menu items.  Bacon and eggs, breakfast burritos, etc.  Given the no agenda plan for the weekend, no one was in any hurry to get through breakfast.  Clean-up was not completed until about 10 AM.

At 10:15 AM a group of Scouts and adult leaders left for what turned out to be a three hour hike to the Homestead and back.  The Homestead is an early 1800’s farm that has been restored for visitors to see.  Several Scouts got their five mile hike rank advancement signed-off.  When this group got back to camp it triggered lunch for all.

During the morning several Scouts in camp worked on advancement and merit badges.  Two Scouts worked on archery MB and one completed the badge.  These two needed to make and arrow from scratch and also make a bow string.  Another scout got about eight first class rank requirements signed-off.  There were several more examples, but that gives you a sample to see that even though the Scouts did not have a formal agenda, they were working hard on the right things.

After lunch a second group headed out for a hike to the top of Stone Mountain.  Stone Mountain is a huge rock out crop poking up out of the ground and reaching about 500 feet up.  There are usually several rock climbers on the face and Saturday was no exception.  By the way it was cold over night – I’d guess about 30 degrees.  During the day on Saturday it got up to a nice 52 sunny degrees. 

Shortly after the second hike stated, four of the older Scouts set out on a hike to the falls and a potential hook up with the other hiking group.  They never met up and everyone was back in camp by 5 PM to start the Dutch oven dinner challenge.

During the afternoon those Scouts in camp played lacrosse, climbed trees, played in the woods, collected fire wood, chased deer, dogs and cats, and generally had a great play day.

ASM Tom Brawn was busy advising Scouts and adults on getting the meals prepared for cooking in the Dutch ovens.  That done, the charcoal was started in one big pile and let to simmer.  Then as each Patrol’s Dutch oven was ready for cooking a few coals were moved to a corner of the fire pit area, the oven placed over the coals and more coals added to the top of the oven.  By the time a few minutes had gone by, there were 8 to 10 spots with hot coals and pots, well, err, cooking away.  The adults made Texas Straw Hat.  That’s Fritos scattered on a plate, covered with taco meat, vegetables, cheese, and salsa.  Desert was a cherry cobbler.  Dishes I saw the Scouts cooking were beef and cheese pizza, Creole rice with sausage and shrimp, macaroni and cheese with sliced hot dogs and several other dishes.  I tasted the Creole – it was yummy!

Clean-up was easy – pull out the aluminum foil and throw away.  Dinner done, the campfire appeared in the fire pit.  Joe L. led a campfire program of stories, song, skits and more.  After the campfire program some Scouts sat and talked and about ten walked off with Mr. D. for a game of “Manhunt.”  It was another cold night.  It was not a problem keeping warm in the tent and in your sleeping bag, but out walking around was cold.  Near the fire was warm.  There was a crowd around the fire.  Very close around the fire.  Lights out was 11 PM.  Yes, the voices could be heard late into the night.

Wake up Saturday morning was 7 AM again.  Cold breakfast was the order of the day.  Muffins, bagels, oatmeal (warm) and the like were seen across the camp.  The usual Sunday ritual was the course.  Pack-up, clean-up, load the cars, return equipment to the trailer, police the grounds, and police the grounds again (you missed some stuff guys…).  We were on the road home by shortly after 9 AM – right on time.  It was an uneventful ride home, but Mr. D. saw no less than 7 radar traps on the way home.  Yes we were driving the speed limit.

We had one piece of bad news.  Chuck Gay and family had to drive out and back on Friday night because there were not enough cars to carry all the Scouts and patrol boxes too.  Thanks to the Gay’s for going the extra mile (no pun intended).  Hint to parents – we need you to help drive on our outings.  Please plan to join us on some of our outings/campouts.  Also, thanks to Troop 212 who loaned us some of their Dutch ovens.

Next month we go skiing – YEA!