Posted on 08/17/2003 6:01:59 PM PDT by Jeff Head
This is our latest, a wilderness camp in the River of No Return Wilderness Area (actually surrounded by it) last week. Very rough country, very rough climate.
We were completely unaware, until arriving back home on Saturday afternoon, of the power outage/blackout in the Northeast at all. We had spoken, around the campfire-as scouts often do, of "what ifs" regarding having to stay up there and turn the "camp" into a place to live.
It was sobering to come home and find out what had happened. It was comforting to know that those several boys and their leaders could make do (as can tens of millions of other Americans) if push ever came to shove.
Hope you enjoy the respite.
I was involved with this GREAT camp with our scout troop.
You grandson should really love reviewing it.
These kids will look back on the documentary twenty years from now and get lumps in their throats and vow to be involved in the same way with their kids and local scout troops. At least that's my hope and prayer.
Hope the same is going on in your locality.
We try and take advantage of it and let it work its magic on our youth...along with the proper instruction regarding their heritage and the real meaning of that beauty and from whence it derives.
While the beautiful outdoors is wonderful, I believe those teachings are of the most import, and can be applied, with God's help, to equal effect wherever one finds themselves.
Anyone who has spent time in the rugged outdoors in places like the Frank Church Wilderness (I've been to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness myself) probably took the power outage in stride. In fact, if I had made my way home from work and found my power out back home, I would have been quite content to load my gear up in the 4x4 and go rough it for a few days in upstate New York.
Your commnets are spot on and mirror my own thoughts on the power loss...but that is not to understate or make light of the hardship it caused on so many.
Thanks for taking time out to check out the thread. The country up there is great and helps one keep perspective.
With highest regards for dedicated Scoutmasters everywhere.
We can dream, can't we? - But the reality is that the goons plan to pen us up in the cities like POW's so we can't 'spoil' the wilderness.
Sounds like a great trip - wish I was there!
I will continue to assist and be involved wherever and whenever I can.
But I will certainly pass on the compliment to the scout master, who himself is a dedicated family-man and very loyal American that understands the need for the very investment you speak of.
God grant that we will always have their numbers in rich abundance...or at least in the numbers to garner the support of the Hand of Providence in support of our nation. I believe we will.
It was a GREAT outing.
/sarcasm.
That may be the reality of their plan, but the reality of what actually occurs will be something altogether different.
...and make no mistake, making a life in that environment would be a back-breaking and dangerous involvement...one that would likely kill some or all of us before a year was out without any other means of support. I pray we never have to do it...but will continue to train and teach young men so that they are able and willing to make that attempt if ever called upon...if it ever became necessary.
One thig is for sure...without such preparation, there is no doubt as to the outcome.
On the other hand, if those young men are ready, willing and able to try that...then they will be much more likely to be stalwarts in their families, communities and everyday life, prepared to meet whatever challenges life does bring their way.
Best Fregards.
Notice what is hanging on my hip in a couple of the pictures. Each boy also got a good lesson in safe handling and firing of weapons (hand-guns, shotguns and rifles) while at camp.
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