Local Cub Scouts Climb Aboard the S.S.Signal Hill for District Day Camp! Ahoy!

Reported by:  Cathie Johnson, SH Day Camp Director

The 2nd Annual Signal Hill Day Camp went off without a hitch, or would that be an anchor?  It was pirates all around for three days of fun and adventure.

In 2010 a team of volunteers teamed up to take on the challenge for each of our four districts to tackle the task of hosting it’s own local day camp event. Our first year was a success!  While we had wishful thinking at the planning table to fill to capacity, we knew it may be unlikely since it was a new journey for Signal Hill and other districts alike. The team of few, planned for 150, hoped for 25 and was ecstatic that about the 85 Scouts signed up for the three-day quest. 

This year, under the direction of Signal Hill Director, Dominic Gualtieri, we started the planning process in late February. We added a few new and amazing team members too!  The plan was to bring new ideas and skills to the table that would result in an even better adventure for the Scouts of Signal Hill, than our first stab at it. Guess what?  We did it!

Camp registration included not only thrills, but a SH Day Camp specially designed t-shirt, patch and knot cards for all. The three days of fun and adventure for 136 Cub Scouts took place in early June, when the crew of volunteers pulled off “some of the best days ever”, as stated by a young scout.

We held our first two days of camp at the beautiful facilities of Barrington Presbyterian Church, located in Barrington Hills, IL, with the third day being a day of swimming at Barrington Park Districts’ pool.

This year we took on a pirate theme, complete with bandanas, pirate flags, a land ship, beards, hooks, hats, the cast of Gilligan’s Island and even a few live parrots!

The boys learned about sportsmanship, made birdfeeders from suet and seed. They worked with the Boy Scouts of Troop 461 on their agility for launching giant slingshots of water balls at a target, sock made snowball fights and an amazing obstacle course. We also teamed up with Troop 35, who’s Charter Organization is Barrington Presbyterian Church, for a day of Orienteering and Scout Skills.

Jim Hoffman, a whittling veteran, came out to teach our Bear Cubs how to whittle and 22 boys walked away from camp with their whittling chips. 

BB and Archery ranges were among the stations where the boys had the opportunity to earn both the belt loop and pin for both. Something that you can only earn by BSA Certified Rangers at a BSA approved camp.

The rain came on Wednesday, it tried to put a damper on our fun, but no way!  We endured the obstacle and made the best of it, and persevered – accomplishing everything we set out to do with minimal delays. 

Thursday was ‘POOL DAY’ – a day of fun and an opportunity for Webelos I and Webelos II’s to earn their Aquanaut Badge.  Approximately 25 did just that!  For some of the Webelos I’s, it was their first badge earned in their new rank.  How awesome is that?

For more information on Scouting in your area, visit www.nwsc.org