Posts filed under 'Camping'
November 14th, 2006
spryken
As is usual, the Gleaning campout was a mixed success.
Saturday started out bright and clear. We drove to the gleaning site, a sweet potato field. The gleaning association wanted to glean 6,000 pounds of sweet potatoes. We joined several other groups and worked for about 90 minutes to 2 hours. At that time a halt was called because the trucks were full. They estimated that each of the 2 trucks could hold 3.000 pounds. We had a few with pickups that carried some more. So, we should have made the goal. (Monday we were informed that we actually gleaned 19K+ pounds, 3 times the goal!!)
We then traveled to our campsite and set up camp. The afternoon was devoted to working on scout skills and advancement. We had to push the older scouts to find younger scouts and help them; instead of having the younger scouts take the initiative. After a couple of hours of scout work, we gathered the 3 patrols’ cooks for the Iron Chef competition.
Everyone knew that chicken was the “secret” ingredient. But we threw them a curve with a second secret ingredient, broccoli. All 3 patrols adapted.
The youngest patrol got high marks for using scout cooking methods. Foil pack “hobo” meals of chicken and baked potatoes. They had corn to accompany the meal. They added steamed broccoli flavored with barbecue sauce.
The second patrol was the most creative. They had found a dutch oven recipe for chicken baked in cream of chicken, cream of celery and cream of mushroom soups with bacon and barbecue sauce. For sides, they presented raw carrots and broccoli with ranch dressing.
The last patrol, our oldest, presented chicken Parmesan baked in a dutch oven with Caesar salad and mini bowtie pasta. The broccoli was incorporated into the pasta dish.
All three presentations were great, all got high marks on “plating”. Taste was close between patrols 2 and 3. The final deciding factor for the 3 judges was how was the menu adapted to include broccoli. Each judge agreed that our oldest patrol did that the best. Changing one of their sides to include the broccoli.
After supper, we had a campfire. Impromptu skits and jokes were the entertainment. At about 9 PM when even the oldest scouts were yawning and yearning for bed (gleaning was hard work), we held a flag retirement ceremony. All the boys then retired while the leaders watched the fire die.
Over all a beautiful day, we were looking forward to the orienteering portion of the campout.
Unfortunately, Troop 352 earned their title of drought busters. It rained all night, from midnight on, sometimes heavy. Some tents leaked, mainly one of the adult tents. Some boots had been left out and so were mini lakes. The temperature had dropped 20 degrees from Saturday and some of the boys had forgotten jackets.
As it was still raining at 10 and we had to take down camp to be at the orienteering course by 11:30, it was decided to skip the orienteering course. We called parents and arranged a 12:30 pickup. Sad end to a great campout.
Technorati Tags: boy scouts, camping, scouts, bsa, service
powered by performancing firefox
Entry Filed under: Boy Scouts, Camping
November 10th, 2006
spryken
Late one night this week, I was thinking about the differences in Process and Goal hikers. Let me explain what I mean. Process hikers are all about the hike, the joy is the actual trek up the trail. Goal hikers are all about getting there, the joy is in reaching the peak or camp. The fun for them is the destination. Some people talk about as “Do you hike to camp or camp to hike?”
It is really a continuum. Few actually fall into the extemes. I am more of a Process hiker. I enjoy my time on the trail. I don’t try to hurry, but enjoy being in the wild. I definitely like having goals: reaching that next peak, seeing that great vista, camping by a stream, etc. But getting there is more than half the fun.
That is probably why I like longer trips of 4+ days. A weekend just doesn’t seem to allow me enough time to enjoy the hike.
So as a partial list of reasons (primarily mine own) I offer:
- To really get away from it all
- To see nature, up close
- To see views that you can only see by walking there
- To challenge myself physically, mentally and emotionally
- To think
- To keep physically fit
- To enjoy the company of a few like minded souls
- It is fun
Want to offer any more???
Technorati Tags: backpacking, camping, hiking, outdoors, scouts, scouting, boy scouts
powered by performancing firefox
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Camping, Hiking
November 7th, 2006
spryken
Any camping trip our Boy Scout Troop goes on, sees me with my knot book some cord and a pocket knife. It doesn’t matter if we are on a “fun” trip, leading a camporee on First Aid or on a trip designed for new scout advancement. Even when we do an overnight Troop Leader Training, I have my supplies.
Just bringing out my knot book and practicing fun knots for myself draws a crowd of boys. Soon, I’m cutting lengths of cord for the boys and soon after that, I give up my book. It is a great way to inspire learning beyond what is required in a setting that isn’t like school. As I tie a Turk’s Head or Monkey Fist, knots become cool. (Yes, I am a product of the early seventies.)
The boys learn valuable skills, they are occupied when bored, they challenge each other to go beyond the bare minimum.
But it isn’t just knots and rope. We as leaders can find other ways to engage the boys. I’m sure we all do. From nature, to knots, to cooking and First Aid, a camping trip is a great vehicle for learning……
Look around at what interests you, show some enthusiasm and soon you will have a group of boys gathered round wanting to see what is so fascinating.
Technorati Tags: boy scouts, camping, advancement, knots, rope
powered by performancing firefox
Entry Filed under: Boy Scouts, Camping, Gear
November 7th, 2006
spryken
- 4 habenero peppers, chopped - seeded (some seeds and veins can be added if you want it scorching
- 4 large sweet peppers, chopped - bell, pablano, anaheim, etc
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 yellow onions, chopped
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4-6 cups chicken stock
- 2-4 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 Tablespoons ground cumin - or to taste
- salt to taste
Heat a 12 - 14 quart dutch oven over coals until hot. Add oil to coat. Add the chopped peppers and onions. Saute’ about 2-4 minutes, add the garlic and saute’ until the peppers and onions are softened. Add the cumin, stir. Add the chicken breasts and just cover with stock. Season to taste with salt.
Bring to a boil and cover. Stew at a gentle boil until the chicken easily shreds with a fork, about 90 minutes, adding stock if needed. Uncover and shred the chicken. Continue to boil, uncovered until thickened.
Serve over rice, or in tortillas.
You can control the heat with the type of peppers and amount of seeds/veins you add. Habenero peppers are HOT!! If you are unfamiliar with them think cayenne on steroids!! You can substitute jalepenos for a milder version, but the great smoky/fruity habenero flavor will be missing.
It is best to err on the mild side. You can always add more heat!
Technorati Tags: cooking, camping, dutch oven
powered by performancing firefox
Entry Filed under: Camping, Cooking, Recipes
November 6th, 2006
spryken
Yes, I am addicted. And no, not as some of you are probably thinking it is not to backpacking. Well, at least that is not the addiction I want to talk about.
Caffeine!! I am addicted!! Usually that is not a problem. I have my coffee and sodas. But, I do not like instant coffee and cannot carry my diet colas on the trail. What can I do?
I do like tea also, so for short trips, 2-3 days, I carry tea bags and make hot tea. But I have a 5 day trip coming up and that is a lot of tea. I tried the individual coffee bags, but I can’t say I’m overjoyed. Rich, my uncle of GPSTrackLog, told me that 3 chocolate covered expresso beans equals 1 cup of coffee. Since I would need at least 3-4 cups a day, that is probably not feasible.
When I went to Philmont in 2005, I weaned myself off of caffeine. I guess that is what I will do for this trip too. Or at least cut way back. That way a little tea and a little chocolate expresso beans can probably tie me over….Until I hit McD’s on the way back and get the super sized diet cola!
Any other ideas?
Technorati Tags: backpacking, hiking, camping
powered by performancing firefox
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Camping, Hiking
