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Welcome to our Campfire

Enjoy the comradery of the fire and find out what's happening.

Hoping everyone had a great time at summer camp.

In Camp Kunatah's staff yearbook the best quote probably came from Sean Gilligan. Sean said, "This has been my best summer".  Sean also was the Hiking Merit badge counselor and soon got a reputation of being one of the best. Troops were requesting Sean in advance of arriving at summer camp.  Good news spreads fast. Good job Sean! 

On one expedition this summer Sean stumbled on a furry ball. He gave it a kick to see what it was and a small bear cub jumped up and gave a yelp! Sean did not think too much of this until he heard a growl from up a nearby tree. The mother bear was not too happy and Sean started to run; full pack and all.  He  ran a short ways when he remembered, like a good scout, that he should play dead. He froze solid. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the bear continuing her charge. He quickly decided that the bear did not care if he was dead or not. He got up and quickly ran into a nearby lake and started swimming. In the excitement he forgot he was a poor swimmer. He was an even worse swimmer with his boots and full pack on. Now he was faced with a decision; should he die drowning or go to shore and be mauled by a bear. The bear at this point stopped at the shoreline and was uncertain whether it should chase Sean into the water. Sean came in far enough to walk in the water down the shore line. Sean went to the  right, the bear followed. Sean went to the left, the bear followed. This angry bear decided it would not let Sean out of the lake. The irony is the thing that got Sean into this whole mess is the thing that saved him. From in the distance the bear cub started crying. The mother bear left Sean alone to attend its baby. What an adventure. It's even better when you live to tell about it.

In Kunatah's staff yearbook Steven won the honor of "Best Exemplifies Scout Oath and Law." Steven and Sean both did a great job and did the troop proud. I'm sure their experience at summer camp will help the troop grow stronger than ever.

Steven was not without his brush with death. On scouting out Ten Mile River for good climbing cliffs, Steven and the camp climbing director John Mullora found the mother of all climbing cliffs. Eighty feet high with a ten foot over hang. One of those western road runner overhangs, where the overhang always collapses on the coyote.  Steven and John quickly planned an overnight to the cliffs so they would have time to conquer the mountain. After careful preparation setting up the ropes the dangerous duos were ready to climb. The fearless leader John Mullora was to climb the cliff first. Half way up he came   upon a loose boulder. Deciding it was unsafe for him and the person below he picked it up and threw the boulder off to the side. As the boulder descended downward it ricocheted off the side of the cliff changing its direction directly towards Steven. The boulder narrowly missing Steven landing right at his feet. John continued his accent but to no avail.  If that was the closest call of the day it would have been less than memorable. Steven started his accent next. After a long strenuous climb He positioned himself just below the overhang. He proceeded his climb out  onto the overhang. Half way out on the overhang his feet slipped moving him from a horizontal position to a vertical position dangling eighty feet above the ground holding on by his finger tips. Thinking it would be safer not to continue, he let go. Because of the overhang the fall resulted in a huge swing, much like the effect of a pendulum. He fought hard to gain control of the swing bouncing violently.  Once he stopped spinning he was lowered to the ground. Upon inspection of the ropes they found the the overhang had cut the sheath of the rope exposing its core. Too close for comfort.

Steven and Sean will be serving as counselors at summer camp. Sean will be teaching Wilderness Survival and Steven will be at Indian Cliffs as the Repelling and Climbing instructor.

Congratulations to Steven Magnus on being elected Shu-Shu-Gah Lodge Chief.

Congratulations to Edwin on making his brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow. Everyone had a great day and the brothers did some great service projects in Camp Pouch.   Steve did a great job at the ceremony playing the part of Meteu, the great medicine man.

The trip to Treasure Island was changed to Camp Poach, due to lack of transportation. This was disappointing but I like to think that everything is for the best. As it turned out everyone had a great time. I really believe that taking the bus to Camp Poach will be an experience that the boys will take with them for life. This trip proves that if the car doesn't work it doesn't mean you can't enjoy the outdoors.

It didn't rain and the camp site was right on the water. There was no shortage of mud but it didn't stop the troop from finding a dry place to pitch the tents. All the food was good but I do wish I could have tasted a chocolate chip cookie! I never heard so much singing at a camp fire in my life. The boys literally sang themselves to sleep. David Turner did a good job leading the campfire. He went for a world record for the number of times Father Anthony can be sung (both versions).

If you have a story you would like to tell just drop me a line.