Spring Thaw 2011

Since 1987 Scouts have been competing and having lots of fun at the Spring Thaw Camp during the first weekend of June each year. Each Scout Troop competes in a series of fun and challenging events. This year was the 25th Anniversary and the Scouts competed in six most popular activities that have been held over that time.

The six activities that were the most popular were the Climbing Wall (hosted by 5th St. Albert), Archery (hosted by 182nd Riverbend), Snoopy's Biplane (hosted by 186th Knottwood), Survival Techniques (hosted by 26th St. Peters), Pirates Revenge (hosted by 6th Edmonton) and Castle Siege (hosted by 24th Parkallen). Each activity was designed to be fun but challenge each Scout Patrol on team work, scouting skills, creativity and attitude. Awards were given to each patrol that finished with top marks.

During the course of the camp each Troop were also graded on how their camp were organized, cleanliness and chores. The group that had the best camp wins the Chris Buchkowski Award. Other fun events for the Scouts were a campfire, carnival, auction, field of strength and the dreaded obstacle course.

24th Parkallen worked hard all year for this camp and were awarded first place for Snoopy's Biplane, won the Chris Buchkowski Award for best campsite and won First Overall.

Below are some pictures from the camp:

Found some ants during the build of Castle Siege.

Target Range to test the Scouts on accuracy and distance.

Scouts had to build giant slingshots and fire water balloons from two locations.

Near the end of the event we allowed Scouts and volunteers to have a water balloon fight.

Left over snow from the morning.

One view of the obstacle course.

May Long Weekend Canoe Trip

Every year our Scouts Troop plans canoe trip along the Red Deer River. Our Scouts train at the Scona Pool to learn paddling, steering and safety in the canoe. We have to bring all of our own gear, food and water and paddle down the river. We practice no trace camping on the crown land in the badlands. This area is full of bugs, interesting hiking terrain and full of fossils for the kids to discover. Below are pictures from our past three years.

2011

The 2011 Canoe Trip was along the Red Deer River from Tolman Bridge to Bleriot Ferry. The river was high and fast due to the wet Spring but still safe for all our paddlers. Our last day of the trip was full of rain but that did not dampen our scouts spirits but they were happy to have a hot drink at the days end.

















2010

The 2010 Canoe Trip was further south on the Red Deer River. This trip was full of good weather, great scenery and exiting wildlife. The river was low in some spots where our scouts had to dig into their fur trapping roots and portage through the shallow parts of the river.















2009

The 2009 Canoe Trip was on the Red Deer River from the Tolman Bridge Campground to Bleriot Ferry. During this trip our campers had amazing weather all weekend until Monday morning where they woke up to 4 inches of snow. They visited the castle, found fossils and had an amazing trip.

Fort Edmonton Camp 2011

Fort Edmonton Camp is a fun and exciting camp for Scouts and 3rd year Cubs. The camp is located in the Fort Edmonton Park in the Edmonton River Valley. Each Scout Troop camp around the park outside the main fort. First night is to set up camp and the cooking area, second day is opening and activities such as Jamboree on The Trail, Archery, woggle making, obstacle course, leather stamping, lashing catapults, Potato Cannon, Geocaching, defend the fort and gold panning. In the evening there was Scout Truck Racing, Badge Trading (in the main are of the fort) and evening camp fire.

Our group hosted the Jamboree on The Tail where we discussed history/archaeology of life at Fort Edmonton (Scouter Rob) and the pests and bugs the fur traders would have encountered (Scouter Gerry).

Below are some pictures from this year's camp: