Scouts play games at Bomazeen

Vassalboro Pack #410 Bear Cub Scouts Lux Reynolds gets rolled into the ring of the Hungry, Hungry Hippos game by Troop #410 committee member Chris Vincent. Like in the real game, Lux had to collect as many balls as possible with his clothes basket before the other three contestants scooped them up and rolled back to home with them. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Derek Dubois, of Skowhegan Troop #485, spent time outside McCurdy Lodge practicing outdoor cooking. He took a banana out of the peel and filled the peel with chocolate chips, apple and banana pieces, and spices and cooked it over an open fire. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Imagine playing your favorite board games all day. Further imagine that the games are larger than life and you play them outside at Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade, during a spectacular autumn weekend when the peak foliage reflects magically on the ripples of Great Pond. More than a hundred Scouts and leaders from across southern and western Maine didn’t have to imagine as they experienced all that and more during the Fall Camporee on the weekend of October 18-120.

“I love it all,” said Elliot Rafuse, a Scout in Vassalboro Troop #410. “Camping out was amazing but cold but also fun. I am looking forward to playing Manhunt tonight.” Scouts stayed in patrols and traveled around camp competing in some traditional Scout camp activities such as outdoor cooking and BB gun shooting but also at activity stations designed to fit with the theme of the camporee: “Got Game?”

One station was Scout Jeopardy and the next was an epic size game of Battleship and then it was off to “Deal or No Deal.” Eric Handley, of Sidney, ran the Battleship game. Two picnic tables were separated by a blue tarp. Scouts on both sides of the tarp had a large board with cups representing their battleships on an 11 x 11 grid. “Everyone seemed to have a really good time,” Handley said.

Scouts who stayed overnight with their troop also took part in a Gateway building competition and the Next Level Chef Competition. There was also a costume competition.

The next district-wide activity is the Lego Pinewood Derby which will be held at Camp Bomazeen, on Saturday, November 2, and this winter the Scouts will be heading to Lake Pemaquid for the Klondike Derby hosted by Troop #213, in Damariscotta.