Hello Canyons from your District Chair,
For those of you whom I haven’t met yet, I’m Marty Writer. I’ve come up through Scouting with my wife, Karen, and son, CJ. We have been enjoying our scouting adventure for almost 20 years. Scouting has so much to offer and so many great activities and opportunities for our youth and adults. However, during this journey I have come to appreciate three specific Scouting America youth programs. Camporee, National Youth Leadership Training, and Order of the Arrow. I believe these three programs can enhance a Scouts journey. This month I will focus on Camporee.
Camporee over the years has grown into an amazing program, hosted by our Camporee Committee and all the participating troops. Its has become so successful that, again, this year we have out of council troops that have registered and are participating in the Canyons Camporee. You might be wondering why if your troop hasn’t participated in Camporee. Camporee allows all youth to compete together in a safe and friendly environment. They will compete using their scout skills. Competitions using scout skills, ranging from knots and lashings, first aid, to compass skills, and much more. They are judged on their campsites’ and gate ways’, and they can participate in a cooking contest. All of the events are tied into a theme. This year it is a Harry Potter theme, “Wizarding Scout Camp”. Lastly, they can pick up two nights of camping and Scouts can work on advancement just by attending.
If your troop has not participated or signed up, I have one simple question, why not? What is holding you and your troop from registering? Fear of the unknown? Rember Scouting is a safe environment to learn. Worry about not having enough adults or youth? Contact the Camporee Chair, Brian Hallse, he can be reached at canyonscorcommittee@gmail.com, and he can get you paired up with another troop, to allow your Scouts to participate. Is it Cost? Registration before April 12 is $40 for youth and $45 for adults. Youth get to camp and have a program delivered for $13.33 per day, this is less than the $20 – $40 per day that OC parks charge for a tent camping site and no program. Whatever your reason is for not allowing your youth to participate I encourage you to reach out to either Mr. Hallse or myself and let us help you and your youth to participate and have fun.
Lastly, because the camporee model has worked so well for canyons, our goal is to duplicate this model for the Cubs of Canyons District. Our Canyons Camping Chair Mr. Jake Salisbury is looking for volunteers to staff the new Cuboree Committee. This is a very rewarding endeavor and is not time intensive except for the event itself. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Mr. Salisbury at jseaglescout98@yahoo.com.
Thank you all for your help in making Canyons District such a success and I look forward to see you at Camporee.
Yours in Cheerful Service and Fellowship.
Marty Writer
Canyons District Chair