Summer camp this year was at Camp Friedlander which was a new experience for Troop 85. Camp Friedlander has a scheduled program which meant that we had to register for the merit badges we would work on in advance of camp.
Program Areas
There were many areas at Camp Friedlander like the trade skills area, the climbing tower, the ranges, handicraft, and NEST (nature, ecology, science, and technology). Some of these areas were new to us, including NEST and trade skills.
Tents
The tents consisted of canvas covering on a framework of poles, which did not keep the animals out very effectively. Our scoutmaster even found a snake in his tent, so the best thing about the tents was that they kept out the light. If we go to Camp Friedlander again we will probably bring our own tents.
Evening programs
In the evenings there were open programs. On Monday, some of us participated in metal working at the trade skills area. On Wednesday evening, our troop dinner was followed by religious services, where we went to Mass as a troop.
Friday
On Friday morning we finished up our merit badges, and in the afternoon there was a pirate-themed campwide game.
At the closing campfire Friday night, seven of our 16 scouts earned the Camp Friedlander Duty to God award, and our Scoutmaster also received the Topshot Award! Four of our scouts performed a skit called “This is not the Invisible Bench!”, where the invisible bench became a motorcycle, a campground, and finally a beach.
Troop 85 