West Barre Scouts spend week at Camp Dittmer
Photos courtesy of Jeff Andrews
PHELPS – Troop 175 from West Barre last week attended Camp Dittmer in Phelps. Eli Pask, left, joins five other Scouts in erecting a lean-to for their overnight campout. These Scouts work in the Silver Heron Program.
The West Barre Scouts at camp include, front row, from left: Dakota Anstey, Aiden Rush, Ivan Barry, Willem DeRuysscher and Brett Schreiner. Second row: Nicholas Andrews (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader), Eli Pask (Senior Patrol Leader), John Schreiner, Dominic DiGiulio and Tristan Lusk. Back row: Mike Schreiner (Scoutmaster) and Tony DiGiulio (Assistant Scoutmaster). Missing from the picture are Mary Barry and Jeff Andrews (Troop Committee).
Boy Scout Troop 175 is chartered to the West Barre United Methodist Church. This year’s camp season is the 61st season at Camp Dittmer. West Barre sent 10 Scouts and six Scout leaders. Scouts were able to meet with and engage in numerous program activities such as shooting sports, climbing, games, waterfront activities, the primitive skills Silver Heron training with Scouts from all over the five counties of the Iroquois Trail Council and even two Troops from Canada.
This year’s camp theme was Scouting Around the World.
Tony DiGiulio (Assistant Scoutmaster) helps Nicholas Andrews fillet a pumpkin seed sunfish that Nicholas caught.
Troop 175 presented colors during an evening service. Presenting the colors are Aiden Rush and Brett Schreiner. Other scouts and leaders include Eli Pask (Senior Patrol Leader), Dakota Anstey, Dominic DiGiulio, Nicholas Andrews (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader), Tristan Lusk, Ivan Barry, Mike Schreiner (Scoutmaster), Tony DiGiulio (Assistant Scoutmaster) Mary Barry and Jeff Andrews (Troop Committee). Missing from the picture are John Schreiner and Willem DeRuysscher.
The hot sun and cooling rain were both plentiful last week. Scouts persevered through it all learning life skills and responsibility while having lots of fun. Three of the West Barre Scouts experienced their first time at Camp Dittmer and participated in the Brownsea Island Program. This intense “First Year” course brings new Scouts up to speed quickly in areas such as knot tying, first aid, Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, woodsman tools, and ends the week with a 5-mile hike identifying indigenous plants and animals while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Friendships were strengthened, new friendships made, and life skills learned. The West Barre group earned a total of 44 merit badges. Two were unable to attend this week, but will attend later this month and enjoy a great adventure as well.
