Ensign Ranch 2010

On Friday the 23rd, at 6pm, around 20 Scouts met at the church to leave for a canoeing trip at Ensign Ranch. The drive was a bit more than an hour, and we ate sack dinners on the way. When we got there we checked in at the office, and drove up next to the bridge to our campsite. We got everything out of the cars, and brought it onto Beaver Lodge Island where we camped. We set up our tents and some Scouts cooked dinner.

We woke up early the next morning, and made breakfast. Then a couple more Scouts showed up. Once everyone was there, we all went with Mr. Brzoska, and Mr. McMinn to the canoe launch to start training with our canoes. We learned the different strokes, and a few signals for canoeing. Then we got out onto the lake to start practicing the strokes, and maneuvering in the canoe safely. Ensign Ranch had enough canoes (twelve) for all the Scouts, but only two adults were able to canoe at a time. Next time we'll have to bring some extra canoes. The canoeing was very difficult because of how windy it was. Even the more experienced canoeists had trouble because of it.

After that we ate lunch, and hung out in camp until around 1pm, when we went to the boat launch again. This time, we all went over to a large concrete ring, on one side of the lake, and practiced the J-stroke. We were supposed to go straight for 50 feet without help, but no one really got it. Even so, we all still tried until around 4pm. A few of the younger Scouts practiced climbing into their canoe from the water, and swamping it, and returning to land in the sunken canoe. During the time we were on the lake, we spotted a few beavers, and an eagle diving into the lake to catch fish. After that, we went back to camp for a short reflection with Mr. Brzoska, and relaxed until dinner.

After we got up, we ate breakfast and packed up our gear. When we were packed, we left for a day hike where we practiced skills for the younger Scouts. The sun was out and it was nice and warm with no wind. We found a rifle range and archery range, identified some plants, and played around at a co-op course, that also had a cool tower. Our Chaplain Aide led us in Scouts' Own service around a small pine tree. Once we had finished our skills, and were through with the course, we hiked back to camp where we ate lunch, and earned the Totin' Chip. Several other Scouts also finished other requirements in their books. We did a few final trash sweeps, put the last little bits of gear in the cars and left. - AMG

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