| 2011 Sweetwater District Spring Camporee Disabilities Awareness March 25 - 27 "Everyone Can Play" |
The results are in and, despite having to brave terrible weather conditions, the overwhelming sentiment is that Camporee was a resounding success.
On the weekend of March 25 through the 27th, Sweetwater held their Spring Camporee. Attending the event were over 200 Scouts and Scouters from 8
units from across the District. Each Camporee operates under a theme that carries out throughout the weekend. This spring’s theme was “Disabilities
Awareness”, one of the more than 120 merit badges available to Boy Scouts.
For pictures, please follow this link.
The weekend was filled with various events based on the Disabilities Awareness theme. The activities were designed to give each Scout a glimpse into how
those with disabilities cope with the challenges of everyday activities that those without disabilities may not give a second thought. Included were activities
such as the “blind/deaf tent pitch”, where Scout patrols were instructed to pitch a tent under severely hampered vision and hearing abilities. Scouts gained
an appreciation for just how much vision plays into everything we do and how hearing is so vital to the simplest communication in everyday tasks. The
patrols acted as a team and practiced good communication skills and assigned responsibilities.
Other activities included the “crutch run” and the “blind touch test”, where Scouts had to identify object solely by touch. Some of the other activities
focused on Scouts being made to face every day tasks without the use of their natural abilities. Examples are the “Adaptive Golf” and playing a game of
Bocce Ball. In each of these events, Scouts got away from using their dominant side and used their non-dominant sides, such as a right handed Scout
playing golf left handed.
Wheelchair activities showed the difficulties faced by those without the ability to walk or with limited mobility. These included the “Outdoor Wheelchair”
event, where Scouts had to make their way through an obstacle course while contending with natural hazards, such as grass or uneven landscape, and the
“In-house Wheelchair Excursion”. The In-House took Scouts through an every day “obstacle course” with normally mundane tasks as getting in the house,
going from room to room, getting items from a shelf and changing clothes. So, while these every day activities may seem simple to those without
disabilities, the Scouts learned that these “simple” tasks take on a new life when faced with the inability to walk or to even stand. Putting on a pair of pants
is something that any young child can do but when faced with having to do this without any use of legs makes this an extreme challenge for the “newly
disabled”.
Not to be left out, Scoutmasters had a lesson in writing something as simple as their name on a card without actually seeing what they are doing. This was
done by placing the card on their forehead and attempting to write. The experience was to simulate the feeling that someone with a brain injury may go
through, knowing what they want to do but not having the ability to execute as they want to do it.
Following a full day of activities the Scouts settled into camp life. Troops prepared their own meals and visited with their own members as well as
interaction with other Troops.
The highlight of the evening was the campfire program, including skits and songs, and the presentation of the various awards for various categories.
Awards presented are as follows:
Blind Touch Test
Adaptive Golf
Bocce Ball
Blind/Deaf Tent Pitch
In House Wheelchair Excursion
Crutch Run
Outdoor Wheelchair
Best Campsite
Best Gateway
Best Dessert
Spirit Award
Troop 228
Following the presentation of the awards, the Order of the Arrow held the Call-Out, recognizing those Scouts who have been nominated for induction into
the OA. A total of 34 Scouts were called out. These Scouts have been elected by their units for membership into the OA. The purpose of a Call-Out is to
officially recognize each elected Scout as a candidate for membership in the Order of the Arrow and to explain the purpose and history of the OA.
The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society, recognizing Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, maintain
good camping traditions and always providing cheerful service.
After a rough Saturday night with storms passing through the area, Scouts woke Sunday to Reveille and breakfast followed by a Scout’s Own Worship
Service, allowing Scouts to gather and worship together while emphasizing the Scouts’ Duty to God.
As the camp broke and equipment was packed away, the excitement still filled the air, with nothing but smiles and positive conversations all around. The
events of the previous night may have soaked the ground but did not dampen the spirits of the Scouts and leaders. The 2011 Sweetwater District Spring
Camporee closed with everyone anxiously looking towards summer camp as well as the coming Fall Camporee.
The Camporee Staff would like to recognize all those leaders who, trough their great assistance, patience and teaching, made the Camporee a huge
success. Special thanks go out to Bob Sidney and Sweetwater Webelos Scout Chase Craton for providing first hand experiences of living with a disability, Tim
Wall, a wheelchair and able bodied tennis instructor and member of the Georgia Southern club archery team and Charlene Tilghman for demonstrations in
American Sign Language. Also thanks to Scout Leader and Physical Therapist Christina Craton for her invaluable assistance and guidance in working with
individuals with disabilities. And a special thanks to Christie Mills, the Douglas County Therapeutic Recreation Program Coordinator for providing equipment
and information throughout the disabilities awareness experience.
We’ll see you at the next Camporee!
Please follow this link for pictures
On the weekend of March 25 through the 27th, Sweetwater held their Spring Camporee. Attending the event were over 200 Scouts and Scouters from 8
units from across the District. Each Camporee operates under a theme that carries out throughout the weekend. This spring’s theme was “Disabilities
Awareness”, one of the more than 120 merit badges available to Boy Scouts.
For pictures, please follow this link.
The weekend was filled with various events based on the Disabilities Awareness theme. The activities were designed to give each Scout a glimpse into how
those with disabilities cope with the challenges of everyday activities that those without disabilities may not give a second thought. Included were activities
such as the “blind/deaf tent pitch”, where Scout patrols were instructed to pitch a tent under severely hampered vision and hearing abilities. Scouts gained
an appreciation for just how much vision plays into everything we do and how hearing is so vital to the simplest communication in everyday tasks. The
patrols acted as a team and practiced good communication skills and assigned responsibilities.
Other activities included the “crutch run” and the “blind touch test”, where Scouts had to identify object solely by touch. Some of the other activities
focused on Scouts being made to face every day tasks without the use of their natural abilities. Examples are the “Adaptive Golf” and playing a game of
Bocce Ball. In each of these events, Scouts got away from using their dominant side and used their non-dominant sides, such as a right handed Scout
playing golf left handed.
Wheelchair activities showed the difficulties faced by those without the ability to walk or with limited mobility. These included the “Outdoor Wheelchair”
event, where Scouts had to make their way through an obstacle course while contending with natural hazards, such as grass or uneven landscape, and the
“In-house Wheelchair Excursion”. The In-House took Scouts through an every day “obstacle course” with normally mundane tasks as getting in the house,
going from room to room, getting items from a shelf and changing clothes. So, while these every day activities may seem simple to those without
disabilities, the Scouts learned that these “simple” tasks take on a new life when faced with the inability to walk or to even stand. Putting on a pair of pants
is something that any young child can do but when faced with having to do this without any use of legs makes this an extreme challenge for the “newly
disabled”.
Not to be left out, Scoutmasters had a lesson in writing something as simple as their name on a card without actually seeing what they are doing. This was
done by placing the card on their forehead and attempting to write. The experience was to simulate the feeling that someone with a brain injury may go
through, knowing what they want to do but not having the ability to execute as they want to do it.
Following a full day of activities the Scouts settled into camp life. Troops prepared their own meals and visited with their own members as well as
interaction with other Troops.
The highlight of the evening was the campfire program, including skits and songs, and the presentation of the various awards for various categories.
Awards presented are as follows:
Blind Touch Test
- Troop 228 Seminoles
- Troop 228 Dragons/Troop 228 Iguanas/Troop 745 Phoenix/Troop 555 Bulldogs
Adaptive Golf
- Troop 3 Arctic ravens
- Troop 745 Phoenix
- Troop 228 Seminoles
Bocce Ball
- Troop 555 Blazing Bulldozers
- Troop 228 Seminoles
- Troop 610 Patrol B
Blind/Deaf Tent Pitch
- Troop 228 Seminoles
- Troop 62 – Dictators
- Troop 228 Droxes
In House Wheelchair Excursion
- Troop 228 Seminoles
- Troop 228 Droxes
- Troop 3 Arctic Ravens
Crutch Run
- Troop 228 Seminoles
- Troop 3 Arctic Ravens
- Troop 228 Droxes
Outdoor Wheelchair
- Troop 555 Burnt Waffles
- Troop 228 Gold/Troop 555 Blazing Bulldozers
- Troop 62 Dictators
Best Campsite
- Troop 228
- Troop 3
- Troop 900
Best Gateway
- Troop 3
- Troop 228
- Troop 626
Best Dessert
- Troop 3 Flaming Eagles – Cherry Cobbler
- Troop 555 Blazing Bulldozers – Shmeets
- Troop 900 – Peach Cobbler
Spirit Award
Troop 228
Following the presentation of the awards, the Order of the Arrow held the Call-Out, recognizing those Scouts who have been nominated for induction into
the OA. A total of 34 Scouts were called out. These Scouts have been elected by their units for membership into the OA. The purpose of a Call-Out is to
officially recognize each elected Scout as a candidate for membership in the Order of the Arrow and to explain the purpose and history of the OA.
The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society, recognizing Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, maintain
good camping traditions and always providing cheerful service.
After a rough Saturday night with storms passing through the area, Scouts woke Sunday to Reveille and breakfast followed by a Scout’s Own Worship
Service, allowing Scouts to gather and worship together while emphasizing the Scouts’ Duty to God.
As the camp broke and equipment was packed away, the excitement still filled the air, with nothing but smiles and positive conversations all around. The
events of the previous night may have soaked the ground but did not dampen the spirits of the Scouts and leaders. The 2011 Sweetwater District Spring
Camporee closed with everyone anxiously looking towards summer camp as well as the coming Fall Camporee.
The Camporee Staff would like to recognize all those leaders who, trough their great assistance, patience and teaching, made the Camporee a huge
success. Special thanks go out to Bob Sidney and Sweetwater Webelos Scout Chase Craton for providing first hand experiences of living with a disability, Tim
Wall, a wheelchair and able bodied tennis instructor and member of the Georgia Southern club archery team and Charlene Tilghman for demonstrations in
American Sign Language. Also thanks to Scout Leader and Physical Therapist Christina Craton for her invaluable assistance and guidance in working with
individuals with disabilities. And a special thanks to Christie Mills, the Douglas County Therapeutic Recreation Program Coordinator for providing equipment
and information throughout the disabilities awareness experience.
We’ll see you at the next Camporee!
Please follow this link for pictures
