Spring Fishing Weekend

Ockanickon Scout Reservation

22-24 April 2005

            Troop 461's spring fishing weekend was held on the weekend of 22-24 April 2005 at Ockanickon Scout Reservation near Pipersville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  As a result of an unfavorable weather forecast, the number of scouts and adults attending dwindled as the week prior to the trip went on.  However, those who braved the weather were rewarded with a super experience, and a few fish to boot.

            Friday night was dry, but rain was predicted for Saturday.  Fortunately, the campsite that the Troop had at Ockanickon was equipped with sufficient Adirondack shelters so that the scouts did not have to set up tents in the dark nor face the prospect of taking down wet tents on Sunday.  The scouts did have to set up their patrol cooking and eating areas, which involved setting up dining flies in the dark and moving picnic tables under cover in the event that rain did arrive--which it did.  Fortunately, with everything having been set up on Friday night, the scouts were able to cook and eat their meals under cover.

            The meals were all cooked by the scouts by patrols with each patrol leader responsible for ensuring that the tasks were assigned equally and fairly.  Each patrol was issued a propane stove, a cook kit and a utensil kit for preparing their meals.  At each mealtime, the designated grubmaster went to Scoutmaster Frederick for their patrol's rations for the meal.  Since the recently joined scouts were in one patrol, Senior Patrol Leader Chris Kulp spent time with them to ensure that everything went well.

            Naturally, what's a camping trip without a fire.  When it is wet outside, getting a fire going takes some talent and a bit of luck.  However, keeping it going when there is a chance of rain calls for some scout ingenuity in the form of a tarp placed a good distance above the fire pit to protect both the fire and those gathered around it in case of rain.  While there were no downpours while dinner was cooking, there were some showers and the time spent installing the tarp was well spent.   

            The Saturday evening meal was roast beef cooked in dutch ovens.  In order to keep things simple, all of the patrols cooked their meals over a single fire.  This also provided a gathering place for everyone to sit and relax while dinner cooked.  Some of the newer scouts had never experienced dutch oven cooking but after a while, the aromas coming from the cooking dutch ovens got everyone hungry.  However, for those in need of some uplifting stories or simply another outlook on life, "Brother Kyle" was ready to share some lessons from the Good Book with those around the cheerful fire.

            After dinner, the group continued to sit around the fire, swapping stories, telling jokes, and waiting for the time when Harold would announce that they could make smores for their evening snack.  In preparation, there was a wild scamper for the proper sticks that could be used for roasting marshmallows over the fire. 

            While there was not as much fishing accomplished during this camping trip as in years past, it was still a great weekend.  Everyone came prepared for the rain and despite the less than desirable weather, everyone had a great time and looked forward to the next trip.

Last updated on Thursday, 24 November 2005