Camp Cherry Valley July 1999 - by Mike Mikac |
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384 miles by way of plane, shuttle, boat, and afoot, 15 scouts and 5 adults arrived at Boy Scout Camp Cherry Valley on Santa Catalina Island for a Great Island Adventure! |
| The adventure began at 5:30 a.m. from Fry’s parking lot for Sky Harbor Airport. United Airlines flew us out to LAX airport; Breakfast at MacD’s in the airport before riding 3 Super Shuttle vans to Long Beach pier. While in town on business, John Zinck came by and took our orders and picked up lunch from Burger King.THANKS MR. ZINCK! |  |
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After a long wait, we finally boarded the 3-level cruise ship for Catalina Island. **Side note: Fortunately for the well-informed leaders, everyone aboard the plane and boat knew that today was Matt Slade’s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!! |
| CCV Staff organized the 314 scouts and leaders for the 1.5 mile hike into camp. Just before dinner, Ben and Mrs. Suber showed up at camp. Ben had taken 1st place in the regional rollerskating trials in Fresno. WAY TO GO, BEN!! Swim checks (in the cold Pacific Ocean – brr) and free time in the morning and merit badge classes in the afternoon. Tomorrow the schedule would swap for the rest of the week.Later in the day, the troop retired the old Troop 679 mileage sign on the Panther post with a new colored 697 sign built by Kenny Zinck. |
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| During the “Tribe or Torque” ceremony, Kevin Brown played his “Native American Flute” for the camp. Matt Slade was lead off with the other SPL’s for a private “Tribe of Torque” ceremony. Waiter Marc Sepulveda won the “Old Wazoo” aware for his table. He didn’t have to clean up! |  |
| We were on the normal schedule with merit badge classes resuming in the AM. Kevin, Eric, Matt and Mr. Mikac had their first in-water scuba class. After dinner, the troop tied up cardboard boxes for their in-camp service project.The older scouts dug several post holes. In the evening, our camp friends made cherry cobbler…….mmmmmm good!!! “CAMP HIGH ADVENTURE DAY” All the troops participated in a hike and/or boat trip. T697 hiked 6 miles to Parson’s Landing on the NE side of the island. Along the way we passed a private camp and Emerald Bay BSA Camp before reaching the beach to frolic in the waves! Hike back 2 milesto Emerald Bay, we loaded up into two war canoes (hold 10 people each) and a 2-man kayak to paddle back to camp via the Pacific Ocean. |
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After dinner the adult leaders participated in a rifle shoot. Mr. Gaylord and Mr. Mikac did not make the cut. Later there were the Commissioners campfires. T697 made a great performance of the “If I was a Boy Scout…” skit. |
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| After breakfast, 3 adults and 8 of the older scouts kayaked down the coast to Blue Caverns. Eric, Kevin, and Mr. Mikac did their scuba dive in the afternoon while the troop hiked over to Pirate’s Cove to snorkel.At dinner, water Marc won the “Old Wazoo” aware AGAIN for being the most patient waiter!! Ahiiiiii – The Highland Games after dinner. |  |
| SATURDAY: Duffel bags packed and campsites inspected, the camp assembled to the flag grounds where Troop 697 performed the flag retiring ceremony. First, second, and three plus year scouts were blindfolded and led to their respective ceremonies. There was even a ceremony for adult leaders.Mr.Mikac received “Elder Tribesman” for five years attending the camp. It was time to hike out for our boat ride back to the mainland. Our Super Shuttle vans shuttled us back to LAX Airport for a quick dinner and a flight back to the Arizona heat. | |
CAMP STATS MENU: SUN: D: Chicken fajitas TEMPERATURE: Highs 88-92 Lows 57-61 MERIT BADGES: 31 completed (2 Small boat sailing) 2 partials CAMP RANKS: 12 Braves |
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