By Andrew Hackmack
The rain created some challenges for the scouts as they setup their campsites Friday night, but then got to dry off with a movie in the Village Hall court room. By opening ceremonies on Saturday morning, it was warm and sunny.
The theme for the 29th annual Camporee was "United in Scouting" and the event was hosted by Cub Scout Pack 109. Terry Eaton of Troop 116 said the theme was to encourage scouts to be patriotic. "We felt a need for national pride, to stay united and to stay together," he said.
There were five Cub Scout Packs, three Boy Scouts Troops, a venture crew and a handful of Girl Scouts participating in the Camporee.
Sam Catalano, a ninth-grader at North High School, participated in the Camporee for the fourth time, this time as a Boy Scout. As member of Troop 369, he said he enjoys the various activities, competitive events and camaraderie with his fellow scouts. "You get to have a good time with your friends," he said.
Richie Field and Andrew Fare have participated in the Camporee as Cub Scouts but this was their first time there as Boy Scouts. They are also members of Troop 369. "In Boy Scouts," Fare said, "it's very independent. There's not too many adults around. It teaches you to have more responsibility for ourselves."
Field added that in Boy Scouts, they are pretty much on their own to cook their meals and set up their camp sites.
Michael Williams, Cubmaster of Pack 106, said the purpose of the Camporee for his young scouts is to get them prepared for the future. "The goal of Cub Scouting is to train the boys for Boy Scouts," he said.
His group of about a dozen boys needed three van loads of equipment and about five hours to set up for the weekend. Williams noted that they were excited about the weekend. "These guys always look forward to this," he said. "Camping and sleepovers -- the guys love it."
Jeff Richter, a leader with Pack 372 in Franklin Square, agreed that this is a good way to get the Cub Scouts prepared for the independence they will have as Boy Scouts. "It's a nice way for the kids to do camping if they've never camped before," he said, "and an opportunity to try it so close to home. Boy Scouts camp out every month. You have to give them a little taste of it before."
Pack 109 Committee Chair Linda Gleason hosted the ceremonies throughout the weekend. She encouraged scouts from the different troops and packs to mingle with each other throughout the event.
"The reason we're here is we're all scouts, we're all different branches of scouting," she said. "Even though we're here around the corner from most of our houses, we're here to share our scouting experience with everyone."
