TRR photo by Chris Conroy Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from across the Nav-a-len district line up on a cold and windy day to learn the benefits of team work through participating in a bucket brigade. (Click for larger image)

Cold, wet and full of spirit

By CHRIS CONROY

LIBERTY — Nearly 300 scouts from 15 troops braved the cold, damp weather on Walnut Mountain for a weekend of fun and fellowship.

With temperatures dropping to the point where campers awoke Saturday morning to snow, the May 17 to 19 Nav-a-len district spring camporee was more of a challenge than most events. “I think it was warmer for the Klondike Derby,” said camporee chair Carol Vaalenberg, referring to the district’s annual mid-winter event.

The weather didn’t do too much to dampen the spirits of attending scouts. They participated in scavenger hunts, skills contests and, on Saturday afternoon, teamed up with younger cub scouts to test their skills in classic scout games like “hot isotope” (where a group of four scouts must work together to move a can full of water using only twine and a heavy duty rubber band) and a chilly bucket brigade.

Saturday evening closed with inclement weather threatening the fellowship barbecue and flag retirement ceremony. One thing all agreed upon: it was definitely a scouting weekend.