Region's scouts get prepared

MATAMORAS — If they’re going to “be prepared” they’re going to have to learn how. Some 384 Pike, Sullivan, and Orange County cub scouts, boy scouts and venture crew members gathered at Matamoras’ Airport Park for the Delaware River District’s Camp-o-Ree last weekend. The event was designed to prepare the younger scouts for their futures as boy scouts. Scouts arrived Friday night, setting up tents and kitchens and camping out until the games began Saturday morning. Younger members participated in the event’s Cub Scout Olympics, which showcased ten Greek-Olympic inspired games, including a “javelin noodle” throw, a timed dash and a shot put. Each game station was themed as a Greek state, like Sparta and Athens, and the cub scouts were given a bead after partaking in the activity. The boy scouts and venture crews, or co-ed groups aged 14-20, practiced survival skills, like how to properly construct and bind a wooden stretcher, while improving their group unity and leadership. According to Senior District Executive Jim McIlvain, there were about 30 troops, or units, present over the weekend. In addition to camping out overnight, the troops were required to bring and prepare balanced meals. One or two events of this nature are held each year, but McIlvain deemed the Camp-o-Ree the most successful. “It’s been absolutely outstanding. With 380 people, it certainly was a hit out of the park,” McIlvain said. After braving another cold night armed with sleeping bags and blankets, the campers packed up Sunday morning. Senior patrol leader of Milford Troop 71 and Delaware Valley High School junior Greg DeGiorgis was very pleased with the event overall, especially the camp-out. “The weekend was a great way for cub scouts to explore scouting at its fullest, giving them a taste of what it is all about. This will eventually lead them to continue onto boy scouts,” he said. For more information on the Delaware River District’s scouting events, visit www.hvcbsa.org .