Scouts learn survival skills during winter camping trip
By IVY FARGUHESON
February 1, 2009
SELMA — Andrew Garcia, 11, of Muncie, may have been cold on Saturday morning, but that’s the way he likes it. Especially when he’s camping.
Andrew, his older brother Alex, 12, and nearly100 other Boy Scouts spent the weekend at Camp Redwing for their local 2009 Winter Camporee, a chance for the boys to test their winter survival skills and have fun out in the cold.
Even when it’s six below zero when they wake up.
“I think this is really, really fun to do, even if it’s really cold out,” Andrew said. “It’s just fun to be out in the wilderness. For us, since we’ve been out in the cold, it seems like it’s warming up.”
Troops from across East Central Indiana have been participating in the Winter Camporee for more than 50 years, which was also the last time they had as much snow as they did this weekend.
Groups of five to 10 Scouts built sleds, tied knots and made emergency shelters to practice their survival skills in case they or anyone they know face an emergency.
But it wasn’t all about learning and testing skills.
The boys also participated in a sled race, drank hot chocolate and got to know other Scouts from across the area.
Dylan Oliphant, 18, from Parker City, has been coming to the Winter Camporee for years, despite the frigid temperature and blowing winds. He enjoys teaching the younger Scouts new skills, such as how to build a fire in the snow, and hopes many Scouts have the chance to participate in winter camping.
“If they ever get stranded in the woods, we’ll make sure they’re able to survive,” he said. “Plus, we’re trying to have a little bit of fun while we’re doing this.”
Scouts receive a special patch for participating in the skills training during the extreme weather this weekend, and they’ll also compete for prizes all weekend.
But the importance of teamwork was the major message of the camporee, asking for help when it’s needed and being there for someone else in an emergency.
“We’re always prepared. As Scout leaders, we try to do the best we can to get them ready,” said camp leader Frank Turner. “(This) gets the camaraderie going. It just pulls them together as a group.”
And the weather wasn’t expected to stay below the freezing mark for much of Saturday and Today, something Andrew and his brother saw as a good and bad thing.
“Well, I like it colder,” Andrew said. “It’s a little bit more of a challenge.”
“Yeah, this is really fun,” said Alex, Andrew’s brother. “We’re surviving!”
Special thanks to Ivy Farguheson and MELANIE MAXWELL from the Star Press!
