Local Scouts Endure Odd Weather, Tropical Storm While Attending Summer Camp

Edmonson Voice Staff Report, photos courtesy of Derek Curtis:
From June 18, 2017 through June 23, 2017, Scouts from Edmonson County Boy Scout Troop 597 attended Boy Scout Summer Camp at Roy C. Manchester in Benton, Kentucky.  While there, the scouts endured cooler than normal temperatures, warmer than normal temperatures, and rain bands from Tropical Storm Cindy, all in the same week.
 
The scouts participated in varying merit badge classes including: rifle, shotgun, archery, small boat sailing, woodwork, wood carving, citizenship in the nation, citizenship in the world, rowing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, emergency preparedness, pioneering, wilderness survival and camping. 

​Those scouts participating in wilderness survival had to sleep a night in the woods utilizing a shelter constructed themselves.  Troop 597 had five scouts to participate in wilderness survival, all of which successfully completed the course. 
 
Troop 597 also had five scouts participate in shooting sport merit badges, ranging from rifle shooting to archery.  All five scouts successfully qualified. 
 
During free time at camp, the Scouts were able to enjoy the aquatics area and the ranges, according to Scout Master Derek Curtis.  

"The scouts came together as a troop in camp-wide activities to include a volleyball tournament, in which the Troop finished second in camp and 'Roy’s Race,' which was a scout-skill endeavor in each merit badge area."

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​Curtis said that the leaders assisted the scouts by teaching merit badges, serving food at meal time, projects around camp, conducted a skit at morning flags where one leader "chugged a pickle slushee to assist the scouts in Roy’s Race."  

"The work and attitude of the scouts with the assist from the leaders resulted in the troop being recognized as a quality unit," Curtis said.
 
The scouts assisted the camp by saying the camp blessing three times and participated in a joint color guard with Troop 3 (Murray, KY) and Troop 661 (Glasgow, KY).  The scouts enjoyed their time at camp and met other scouts from across the Central United States. 
 
Troop 597 is sponsored by the Edmonson County Lions Club.