Troop 53
Summer Camp Information

Camp Joy 2003

June 15-21

Camp Wrapup:

Wow, what a week! 38 Scouts, 12 all-week adults, other adults in and out during the week, and somehow we managed to keep some semblance of order and organization. My thanks and admiration go especially to Senior Patrol Leader Kyle F. Kyle always had things under control, kept camp life running smoothly, and in general, did an outstanding job. Way to go Kyle!

Just a few of the outstanding items, programs, and people that deserve "attaboy/girls":

• The first-ever Troop 53 2^nd/1^st Class Trail program. Frank Kurz took the lead on this Craig Brethauer-inspired idea, but I'm sure Frank will say that the success of this program is due to all the help he had from other adults and senior Scouts. So, thanks to all who had a part in this. I knew on Monday morning that we had something good going on when I walked past the Camp's 2^nd Class Trail program about 9:00 and they were still doing organizational, stand-around-with-hands-in-pockets, things, then walked in our campsite and saw our Scouts doing active program. How cool is that!
• Another outstanding pig roast! Many thanks to Frank, John Mackin, Jim Maule, and others who put together the feast.
• Alan Spence. Alan walked into camp on Sunday and found himself appointed Camp Medic. But in true Scout-like fashion, he quickly brought the Health Lodge up to par and kept Camp Joy healthy all week. (And his only payment was a staff t-shirt....)
• The Troop 53 Friday Campfire. I should know better than to doubt the talents and skills of the Troop 53 Junior Leaders. But when, less than 2 hours before the event, nothing is planned, you can't blame me for having backup plans (thankfully not needed) in mind. Outstanding job, guys!
• Camp Director Jeff Bridges and his staff deserve more thanks than they will receive this summer. I always expect first-week shakedown jitters, but there were so few of these that I just kept my mouth shut. The one "mistake" I said something about happened to be a requirement change that I hadn't heard about. The staff was always going the extra step to make sure the Scouts were getting more program than they paid for.
• I'm going to forget somebody here so I'll just quit now. I said it at the Friday Campfire, I've said it to others in and out of Scouting, and it's here on the website: Troop 53 has the finest group of adult leaders anywhere and they proved it again at Summer Camp. What I said at the Campfire is true; I'm just the Scoutmaster, I'm their enabler and facilitator. The truly great ideas come from them and I just say, "Run with it." My sincerest and heart-felt thanks to all the adults who spent all or part of the week with us.