Fun Times in Troop 4

It was 1968 & Troop 4 was going to "Old Camp Waubeeka" in Copake,NY.

[ Troop 4 traditionally attends together for the first two weeks in July

The Scouts complained to Scoutmaster Howard that once again they would miss July 4th fireworks by being away at Camp. So Howard asked Camp Director Norm R. if his Scouts could bring their fireworks to camp & they would only be used on July 4th on the lake ( to avoid any fire hazards from the widespread White Pine tree forests throughout camp). Norm agreed & he obtained a town permit for the evening of the 4th.

The 34 Scouts boarded the Waubeeka rowboats & canoes at dusk & went to the middle of the lake. Then the fun started with firecrackers , bottle rockets, roman candles, cherry bombs & ash cans ( equal to 1/4 stick of dynamite !) For hours the activity continued !! --- each of the 3 dozen Scouts all contributing their personal supply to the Troop event . When Director Norm called out for a " cease fire", dead fish were floating everywhere.

The next day Howard was called to the Director's office & told,

"Do not ever ask for that again !!! " [But no one of Troop 4 will ever forget it ! ]

"Old Waubeeka " Campwide Games "

Up until the 1970's Scout Camp always consisted of "2 week periods".

Most Troop 4 Scouts attended for two periods == one month of fun !

For a change of pace during the middle weekend there were "Camp Games".

First Period: was the " Colonial Game " --- a giant "Capture the Flag" event. Starting on Friday afternoon the campers & Staff were divided into 3 teams== Colonials, Redcoats, & Indians. On Friday each team built their "jails" out of

dead pine limbs --- either 10 - 20 feet up in the White Pine trees or in the water at the edge of the Lake ( providing a protective moat ). Endless yards of binders twine were used & thousand of Scout lashes to join the branches.

(The Indians had an advantage in that they rode the camp's horses ... so it was

extra difficult to grab the bandana "flags" from their wastebands ! )

Second Period : was annually " The Goldrush Game " . Friday the entire Staff were busy painting rocks gold, marking off "claims" at the north end of camp

& converting the camp Messhall to a frontier Saloon. Saturday the Scouts assembled on the Parade Field . They then had to make their way a few miles

to the north end of Camp where the "gold fields" were staked out.--- each with a different amount of "gold" rocks. Along the way, the Staff lay in hiding dressed as 'highwaymen" & "Indians" to rob the Scouts of their gold.

Those who successfully returned to the Parade Field had their gold weighed at the Ad Building & were paid in paper "Waubeeka Dollars".

That evening the Scouts went to the Saloon for "tube steaks" ( hot dogs) &

"rot gut liquor" ( extra bitter koolaid ) bought with the paper money....OR you

could gamble at the wheel of fortune, roulette or other games of chance.

Some Troop 4 Scouts received a real tongue lashing one year when they got creative by making " cigars" out of pine needles rolled in toilet paper ----

a very, very memorable & harsh smoke to say the least !