12/12/2003 - Camp ROTA-KIWAN

CAMPING AT ROTA-KIWAN

By Brian Rotermund

Wen we got to the camp near Kalamazoo, we saw that the area had a little bit of snow on the ground, which made us happy to be in a cabin.

We stayed in the Oaks cabin on a wooded hill. There was plenty of room for the 13 scouts and 6 adults who went on the trip. We had a center area where we set up tables and a small kitchen area with a refrigerator, but no stove or sink. The latrine was a new brick building just up the road, it had hot water and flushing toilets! There was a flag pole in front of the cabin and a shelter near by so we didn't have to put up our flagpole or dining fly. Because the camp is far away, it took longer to get to and we didn't have much time before it was lights out.

Saturday morning we cooked breakfast and then did our patrol jobs we didn't get to last night. The morning program was learning how to light a charcoal chimney, how to cook and clean Dutch ovens and how to light and use a lightweight stove.

After lunch, we did an orienteering contest with snacks as prizes if we followed the directions right. We also learned how to measure how high something is using a stick and someone standing next to a tree and also pacing.

During free time we had a great time using garbage bags and sledding down a nearby hill. Some of the scouts went on a short hike around the camp. We also took an afternoon break and watched the movie "Ice Age" in the cabin.

For dinner, we had a cooking contest. Adults cooked meatloaf, mashed potatoes and a cake. Lightning patrol and Yellow Lightening Frogs cooked chicken soup, and Breakfast patrol cooked a taco pie. The senior patrol judged us on creativity, presentation, using the basic food groups and nutrition. Breakfast patrol won the contest and they get a dessert made for them at the next outing.

Saturday night we watched another movie in the cabin. It was the first Harry Potter movie, "The Sorcerer's Stone."

Sunday, we cleaned up, and packed up, had breakfast, did Scout's Own and headed home.

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Page last updated: 09/13/2004