General Nash Camp-O-Ree/Cub-O-Ree

12-14 October 2007

Upper Gwynedd Park, North Wales

The General Nash District held its annual District Camp-O-Ree/Cub-O-Ree at the Upper Gwynedd Township Park in North Wales during the weekend of 12 through 14 October 2007.  Over 300 Boy Scouts from 17 of General Nash's Boy Scout troops attended the weekend camp-o-ree while nearly 700 Cub Scouts from the District's 23 Cub Scout packs attended the Cub-O-Ree on Saturday.  The Cub-O-Ree theme for 2007 was "pirates" and the scout troops were encouraged to use the theme in both their presentations to the Cubs and their campsite gateways.

Cub-O-Ree 2007 marked the first time in more than a decade that Troop 461 erected a gateway to its campsite at the Cub-O-Ree.  While the design was rather simple and not as elaborate as some of the other troops present, it was our own design and there was no problem with finding our site.  Next year, it will be a bit more elaborate as our Scouts have time to refine both their design and lashing skills.  It was a good learning experience.  However, we doubt whether we can top the efforts of some of the other troops, like the one pictured below who built a pirate ship around their rope bridge.  Pretty impressive.  But, wait until next year, right?

Once again, our activity for the Cub Scouts was games - or more specifically for this year, pirate games.  For a second year in a row, we had spectacular weather for the Cub-O-Ree, a distinct and welcome change from the 2005 Cub-O-Ree that was cancelled at noon on Saturday on account of a driving downpour that had turned much of Upper Gwynedd Township Park into a pond.  While we did experience rain the previous Thursday and early Friday morning, the weekend of Cub-O-Ree was a lovely autumn weekend and the Cubs were more than willing to spend some time running around and playing the games that the Troop 461 Scouts provided, especially if it meant staying warm!  There were some games, like the two-person plank race, that were even more fun to watch when some of the Cub parents took their turn!  Of course, being the courteous Scouts, we left the chuckling and laughter to the Cubs.

Of course, there are times when it is nice to be an Assistant Scoutmaster, as ASM Ernie Gambone finds out as he takes a snooze in the shaded portico of the Casa Gambone while the Scouts busy themselves with entertaining the Cubs and their parents.  Those frequent trips to Cabela's really pay off, Ernie must be thinking.  However, as the photo below right shows, Cub-O-Ree isn't for everyone.

This page last updated on Saturday, 20 October 2007