Lunch

Then came lunchtime.  We were very honored that both the organizer of this whole event and Three Fires Council's own Dan Zedan had lunch with our troop.  We enjoyed grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup.  That was the perfect lunch for a chilly day.

One scout demonstrates knots to Mr. Brunton (photo by Mr. Maude)

Next was the Iron Flame competition.   The scouts needed to build a fire from scratch and burn a piece of string that was suspended like a clothesline a foot above the ground.  That is not as easy as most people would think.  But it is doable.  First photo by Mr. Maude.

Then came the Iron Compass competition, which focused on orienteering skills.

That was followed by the Iron Stave competition.  Each troop would build a catapult, using only wood, rope and knot tying abilities.

The last competitive event was the Iron Cook competition.  Each troop was given some basic groceries to cook the most delicious meal that they could.  The troop with the best results won the prize.  Of course, that would be Troop 374!

The Campfire

What happened next on Saturday was not photographed.  As soon as dinner was consumed, the troop dashed over to the TFC Ranch fire bowl and set up over fifty luminaries (candles inside a small brown paper lunch bag weighted down by sand) to light the path into the fire bowl, four Tiki torches to light up the area behind and started a blazing fire.  Mr. Byam opened up the ceremony with a hearty welcome, followed by a fifteen minute devotional from a local pastor.  Troop 374 ASPL PT was the Master of Ceremonies.  He introduced the various troops and packs, one by one.  Each performed a skit and led the crowd in a song.  Sandwiched between many of the skits, Troop 374 performed short "run on" jokes.  By then a brisk, chilly breeze began to pick up.  Tim Byam closed the ceremony.  Troop 374 picked up the items used for the campfire and headed back to camp.  There, we cleaned up from dinner, guzzled down some more hot chocolate and enjoyed a campfire of our own.  By 30 minutes past midnight, everyone was down for the count.

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