Dan Beard District Boy Scout Camporees

The Dan Beard District held its annual spring camporee at the Occoneechee Scout Reservation near Carthage, NC April 26 - 28, 2002. The theme for the camporee was "Pioneering", which is the study and practice of using ropes, knots and poles to make scouting items and to use in competitive events.

About 560 Scouts and 174 Scout leaders from more than 29 district units attended the camporee and 30 to 40 vistors were present to help setup and run the competitive Pioneering events. The Scouts in the units participated in the events by Patrol (a group of 4 to 8 Scouts). 82 Patrols competed in events that required log rolling, uses of pulleys and windlasses, making flagpoles, retrieving sunken canoes and many events which required a knowledge of ropes, knots and lashings.

The 82 Patrols were watched as they participated in the events (unknown to them) and the Patrols were rated, by the Scouters running the events, as to which Patrols best exemplified the Scout Oath and Law during their competition. The Patrols picked were: Troop 42 - No Name Patrol; Troop 75 - Flaming Kites Patrol; Troop 216 - The Instigators Patrol; Troop 231 - Beaver Patrol; Troop 356 - Racoon Patrol.

Ron Werley, the Camporee Chief; Jim McGraw, the Program Chief; Bob Gamble, the Registrar; and Rodger Skirvin, the District Executive, were impressed with the number of units and Scouts attending and the competitiveness of the Scouts. The weather was overcast and cool, which was perfect for competing hard and sleeping well.

The Program Chief, Jim McGraw, planned all of the events and spent 3 days setting up the more complex events. He was assisted by Scouter Jim McSherry.

The Scouting units provided the leadership necessary to help set up and man the competitive events. Those Scouters did an outstanding job in helping the Scouts go thru the 20 events during the day Saturday.

A campfire was held Saturday night where 137 Scouts were "tapped out" as new Ordeal members of the Order of the Arrow, an honorary Scouting organization.

A church service was held Sunday morning and more than $258 was collected for the World Brotherhood of Scouting Fund.

A cooking contest was held on Saturday night. The winning Troops for the cooking contest and the categories they execelled in were: Best complete meal - Troop 204; best main dish - Troop 212; best side dish - Troop 253; best beverage - Troop 210; best dessert - Troop 253; best Dutch Oven dessert - Troop 244 and the best vegitable - Troop 204.

Units attending the camporee were: Troops 10, 31, 42, 50, 75, 131, 200, 202, 204, 205, 208, 209, 210, 212, 213, 216, 222, 231, 232, 244, 253, 316, 320, 331, 356, 361, 397 and 431. Crew 208 (and Crews 212 and 397 attended as visitors to assist with events).