[Troop 68] ARROW

[Adzlt80 at aol.com]

CRASHING THROUGH THE SCREEN DOOR, HEART RACING, SNEAKER SHOD FEET POUNDING  
DOWN THE SMOOTH WORN WOOD STEPS, ACROSS THE CRACKED CONCRETE SIDEWALK COVERED  
WITH CHALK STICK FIGURES AND WAVY HOPSCOTCH GRIDS, UP THE HOT, STICKY ASPHALT  
ROAD GLITTERY WITH MICA FLAKES AND RELECTOR BITS, FINALLY ENTERING WHAT YOU  
BELIEVE IS YOUR FOREST SANCTUARY, TO DISAPPEAR, DISSOLVING INTO THE CLOSELY 
KNIT  VERDANCY OF LATE SUMMER, HARDWOOD LEAVES AND SOFTWOOD NEEDLES BRUSHING, 
SLAPPING  YOUR CONTORTED FACE AS YOU HURTLE ALONG THE NARROW PATH, TRIPPING,  
SLIPPING, TRIPPING, STUMBLING OVER MOTHER NATURES LAYERS OF WOODY DETRITUS,  HER 
PROTRUDING ROCKY BONES. EYES WIDE, WILD, TEETH CLENCHED  AND SPLINTERING, 
ARMS PUMPING YOU COMPULSIVLY GLANCE OVER YOUR SHOULDERS  TIME AND TIME AGAIN AS A 
WATERFALL OF SWEAT STINGS YOU BLIND, POURING OFF THE  TIP OF YOUR NOSE LIKE 
RAINWATER FROM THE MOUTH OF A CEMENT GARGOYLE. FINALLY,  GASPING IMPOSSIBLY FOR 
BREATH, YOU TRY TO HIDE, BEHIND THE BIG  TREE(TOO NARROW) IN BACK OF THE BIG 
ROCK(TOO SMALL) UNDER THE BRIDGE (UNPLEASANT  TROLLS) , FINALLY, IN ACUTE 
DESPERATION, UNDER THE FORBIDDING BLUE-BLACK  RIVER ITSELF, FIGHTING THE COLD 
GRASPING CURRENT, THE ENORMOUS CATFISH WHO WANTS  TO MAKE FRIENDS, BREATHING 
THROUGH A DISCARDED (BURGER KING) SODA  STRAW, A LAST DITCH PANIC EFFORT TO STILL 
YOUR SHIVERING, QUAKING  SELF, TO MAKE NEITHER RIPPLE NOR WAVE. YOU THOUGHT, 
DESPITE POSSESSING  NO MAGICAL POWERS WHATSOEVER , THAT PERHAPS THROUGH LUCK, 
SKILL AND GOOD  LOOKS YOU COULD RENDER YOURSELF INVISIBLE, OFF THE RADAR, 
CIPHEROUS. HOW  SILLY.  HOW INCREDIBLY INADVISABLE.  HOW THOUGHTLESSLY THOUGHTLESS.. 
I  AM LAUGHING SO HARD I'M WAKING THE NEIGHBORS. 
 
 
  NO ONE HIDES FROM.....................THE ARROW !   
HOOHOOHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
 
 
           May 15-18  found Troop 68 setting up tents at Hoyt Scout 
Reservation in Redding for the  Spring Camporee, jointly run by Order of the Arrow 
Chapters Chief Pomperaug and  Achewan. The theme was Orienteering. Scouts had 
great fun learning new skills  and honing old at a multitude of stations, 
including Map and Compass, Map  Symbols, Pacing, First Aid, a Score-O (ask the boys) 
and Geo-Caching (locating  hidden objects and messages using GPS (Global 
Positioning System) co-ordinates).  The weather couldn't be beat, and the evening 
was capped with songs and skits  around a friendly blaze.Adult victualing was 
ramrodded by yours truly, helped  immeasurably by The DeVito's, John O'Neil, 
Phil LaMastra, Tim O'Neil, and a host  of other cheerful spirits who's names are 
lost to history. I doff my hat to you  all, amigos(as). The pork chops, 
potatoes(an "e" does exist there, Mr. Quayle)  and cobblers could not have come out 
better. Again, a good time was had by  all.
          
           On June  6,7,and 8, Old Mine Park was the scene of Cub Scout FUN 
at Pack 468's Annual  Picnic, themed "Dirty Jobs". Troop 68 Scouts and Crew 68 
girls manned  stations involving fake worms(gummi) edible soil(oreo based, I 
believe) and  other materiel designed to cultivate squeals and laughter. 
Appearing as if by  magic, a rope monkey bridge rose from the ground across  the 
legendary and imaginary "Smelly River", securing the delight  of the numerous 
cubs and their families. Dan Marazita was awarded the coveted  Wood Badge beads 
in a very impressive ceremony capping many months of hard,  creative work 
completing his "tickets", the culmination of the Wood Badge  Training, open to all 
adult Scouters who have completed Fast Start, Boy  Scout Leader Specific, 
Youth Protection and Scoutmaster/Asst.  Scoutmaster/Outdoor Skills Training, all a 
lot of fun, hugely informative and  well worth the effort. Every boy deserves 
a trained leader. Brian Rapillo  was Grubmaster and his staff produced an 
unforgettable Rattlesnake Pasta.  A spirited, skit filled campfire program 
brought the evening to a  close.
 
            The  first complete week in August drew us to Camp Yawgoog in 
Rockville, R.I  This years theme was "Back To The Future", saving the camp from 
Mr. Moneybags  and his resort plans. A  DeLorean made from marshmallow and Rice 
Krispies  was our offering in the edibles contest, eliciting high praise and 
points.The  triangle was in frequent song as the boys rose in rank and 
accumulated merit  badge after merit badge. The Cross Pond Overnight was well 
attended after a  short period of rain, trails were worn a little deeper as boys 
worked towards  the various levels of the "Camper of Yawgoog" Award and adults 
worked on their  "Hiker of Yawgoog".Arrows sped and bullets flew(or is it the 
other way  around?) Kayaks whooshed and canoes hissed through the water. Fish 
were  teased and some were caught. Saturday brought the "Water Carnival" and  
Evening Show. Potatoes were hung from new adult leaders with care.  Sunday 
involved Closing Ceremonies and the majestic Full Dress  Parade. Sites were 
inspected. Car doors slammed. Engines roared. Tires rolled.  Dust rose.  Till next 
year.
 
                Well, that's it. If I have forgotten any one, any event, 
please contact me. I  know there were Yawgoog awards, like the Buckland, that I 
failed to mention  the recipients. I gotta start carrying a notebook. And yeah, 
a pen.
 
                  YIS, Al Terry ASM, Tp. 68
 
 
 
 



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