Camp Out in August by Hunter

What started as an innocent trip ended up as a once in a life time experience. Our destination, was the top of an isolated hill somewhere in West Virginia. Of the 10 or so boys expected to come only two showed up. This exciting adventure took place at a boy scout’s house. They owned a sizable amount of property. Dad checked in with the family and borrowed a 12 gauge shotgun and four shells because of occasional panther sightings and fairly common bear activity. We took a hill that was extremely steep and felt like miles high.

After around 15 minutes of strenuous walking going straight up we made it to the top of the hill, looked around and saw a cemetery. Or in this case a family burial spot of four family members. Only one marker had dates and these were from 1877- 1944. All of the people were Adkins, which is probably the most common Appalachian name by far. This cut down our sleeping room by a third.

Around this time the rain started (forecast was thunderstorms), and the light got increasingly darker. As our dinner depended on light and fire and the tents had not been set up yet this was not the best news. Everyone then started scurrying, or at least the adults, to make sure their tents did not get wet. In the ensuing moments it was discovered that one of the 4-man tents that had been brought had no poles. We had an 8-man tent, a 2-man tent, and two 4-man tents. One of the 4-man tents was the one with no poles. By the time we went to sleep, the final sleeping arrangements included one of the adults sleeping outside under a tarp.

Dinner was foil dinners that included potatoes, carrots, and either ham or deer meat depending on what one you got. There were also marshmallows to eat in the rain. If you thought that the night could not get much scarier, you are wrong. Everyone fell asleep fine as far as I know. In the middle of the night Tanner woke up to go the bathroom. As he finally got enough nerve to risk going outside with a loose bear, a scary bell rang out twelve times. He had no idea what it was, and climbed terrified back into the tent.

However, he switched positions and laid on me. Because of a mistake earlier in the day there were not enough sleeping bags. Tanner and I had a constant half unconscious struggle for warmth throughout the entire nights. It was during these few moments that I heard the bells later. Dad also heard the bells and something heavy walking around in the middle of the night, as did Tanner.

When we woke up there was no rain. But there had been many spiders in the night and most everyone woke up eaten alive. One leader who had slept in the two man tent had accidentally slept on a little knoll of grass right by the headstones, over a body. We asked the owners what the sounds of the bells were in the night. He told us they were monks who lived nearby.

Crossover and Arrow of Light Ceremony

Look at all the little Cub Scouts watching their Boy Scout leaders!

Here are your cheerful leaders Bro. Schenewark and McGarrah!

Standing for the opening flag ceremony.

Greeting the new scouts enthusiastically as they crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

Marshall University Merit Badge College Participants

Here are some pictures from the merit badge fair offered at Marshall University. Bro. Schenewark and his son Porter are thinking they might enjoy the "Superman" ice cream available to all in attendance...

Hunter and Tanner Schenewark are dutifully enjoying archaeology...

John Merter is so glad he is there, and is eager for archaeology to begin!

Stephen Welch completed Citizen in the World and Citizen in the Nation, Tanner Schenewark finished Archaeology and Mammal Study, Porter Schenewark completed Archaeology and Citizen in the World, Hunter Schenewark finished Archaeology and Citizen in the World, Michael Watson completed Personal Fitness and Personal Management and John Merter finished Archaeology and First Aid. Congratulations to these boys! A special thanks to leaders who spent the day with them, some beginning as early as 6 a.m. to get there on time. A job well done. In the following picture, Tanner is holding the skull of an animal everybody is acquainted with. The first scout to be in attendance on Wednesday evening, at a scout event, that correctly identifies the animal to Bro. Schenewark, will win a prize.

Marshall University Merit Badge Fair

Our very own Bro. Burcl made the paper this week after his Chemistry merit badge class offered at Marshall University merit badge fair. From the M.U. Parthenon, "Rudolf Burcl, associate professor of the department of chemistry, was one of the faculty members who volunteered his time by teaching Scouts an overview of chemistry and chemical safety focusing on what chemicals do, the branches of chemistry and a few lab experiments."Basically they get some practical hands-on experience and a little exposure to chemistry," Burcl said. "We try to keep it fun for them." President Kopp said he was happy that the university could be of service for the Boy Scouts for the day."I think when you compare the values and the attributes that are taught or nurtured through the Scouts, you'll find many of those at Marshall University, if not all of them," Kopp told the Scouts. From the Herald, This is probably one of the best classes I've had," Young said after watching Marshall chemistry professor Rudolf Burcl conduct experiments that produced flammable results. "What I'm learning about is what I might want to do later in life, and how to have fun."Burcl, who led the chemistry program for this year's Merit Badge College, said he really enjoys doing the experiments that put the kids on the edges of their seats