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Camp Cherry Valley
July 2000
By John Gaylord
| Continuing a long tradition, Troop 697 sent a contingent of five adults and 15 scouts to Camp Cherry Valley, Santa Catalina Island, California from Sunday 9 July to Saturday 15 July 2000. Starting with a five a.m. wake-up and a 5:45 rendezvous at the airport, the troop flew out of Sky Harbor at 7:00 a.m. |
| While hanging out at the Long Beach pier waiting for the boat, Mr. John Zinck showed up to take lunch orders for the hungry crew. Luckily for the troop Mr. Zinck was vacationing in the area. |
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| With a short lay-over at the harbor before taking the ferry boat over to the island, the troop was able to get assigned the same camp-site as last year with the assistance of last year's camp commissioner promoted to waterfront director, David Dibble. The fact that no one else wanted the premier campsite helped out a little bit. Many of the camp staff from last year returned, including the Director, known for his great stories. |
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| Under the leadership of Eric Fuhrman as SPL and his ASPLs Matthew Buechler and Marc Sepulveda, the scouts earned a total of 25 merit badges. Not bad considering five of the older scouts spent most of their time in the ACE program. |
| Austin Gaylord received the Landlubber award for spending the entire week on the island without getting within two feet of the water! ! (He managed to get a small cut on his little finger before the camp and a doctor told him to keep it out of the seawater until the eleven stitches were removed.) |
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| Austin still managed to earn 4 merit badges and along with Eric Fuhrman, Marc Sepulveda, Mark Slade, Jacob Slade, and Martin Sepulveda go on the 16-mile Shark Harbor hike. Mr. Sepulveda did a super job and voluntarily accepted all of the blisters for the troop onto his own feet so that no one else had to suffer. Remember also that Martin is a write-in candidate for the Republican State Senate seat in our District 6! Vote early and often!!! |
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| The rest of the troop went on a war canoe trip to Emerald Bay and a return hike after swimming in the waters off of Parson's Landing. A good time had by all!!! |
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Matt Slade turned 18 years of age during camp and two days after returning from camp, successfully passed his Eagle Board of Review. Good job Matt!! Matt also spent approximately 10 hours trying to join the dime club…he gets an outstanding for effort, but unfortunately could not quite get it done.
Andrew Gaylord was a regular William Tell and managed to earn his archery merit badge by spending much of his free time practicing. He also earned the Mammals and First Aid merit badges and all requirements except Scoutmaster conference and Board of Review for Second Class... good job Drew!!
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Marc Sepulveda, Greg Kujawski, and Jacob Slade completed the SCUBA program.
Matt Buechler, Greg Kujawski, and Steve Marsh became regular boat drivers when they earned the small boat sailing merit badge. Chris Southworth, Cody Moreash, and Ben Suber earned the Emergency Preparedness merit badge, Ben also earned the environmental science, personal fitness and sports merit badges. Cody also earned the orienteering, basketry and environmental science merit badges while Dillon Moreash and Ryan McLaughlin earned the environmental science, orienteering and swimming merit badges. |
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| Jacob Slade and Austin made cute little baskets and/or leather purses for their girlfriends and earned the leatherwork and basketry merit badges. |
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| As usual, the food was absolutely fantastic and the kitchen help so cute that the scouts were fighting over waiter duty. The campfires were also motivating and had the usual mix of good and not-so-good skits and songs, but always maximum enthusiasm and Scouting Spirit!! |
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All missed Mr. Mikac and the Tribe of Torqua missed their elder Tribesman, but maybe in 2002 Mike can join us again.
Yes, sadly, because of a change in leadership and policy at the District where Camp Cherry Valley is located, our application did not roll over for next year and we have to put in for 2002, We are on a waiting list for next year, but no guarantees, obviously. |
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