This past weekend, Scouting BSA Troop 200, of Camden, ambitiously set out for a weekend at Camp Bomazeen in the Belgrade Lakes Region for their monthly camping trip. Camp Bomazeen is a Pine Tree Council Camp located on Great Pond and has served scouting for over 75 years.

When the Troop departed from the First Congregational Church of Camden early Friday evening, the rain and wind were relentless and the weather forecast was ominous. Nevertheless, when the Troop arrived to set up camp a couple of hours later, they staked tents and gathered around a campfire under clear skies and seasonably warm temperatures. 

Earlier in the week, scouts met to plan meals and design activities that would meet criteria for advancement in rank, which included a cooking requirement and lashing (knot tying) requirement. Troop 200 divided cooking responsibilities during the weekend among three scouts so that each could achieve advancement towards Second Class rank.  

On Saturday morning, the troop was joined by three “Lone Scouts” who were recently featured in Scouting Magazine: the Vannini sisters. These three sisters were recognized in an article for their scouting adventures while sailing the Pacific ocean with their parents on their catamaran, called S/V Love and Luck. This past February, all three sisters – Heidi, Sally, and Lucy – became members of the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts, the very first group of girls to receive scouting’s highest rank. 

Saturday night again offered pleasant weather for the scouts to all gather around a campfire. After breaking down camp on Sunday morning, scouts gathered under the direction of Scoutmaster Ed Weber and Assistant Scoutmaster Ed Hurlburt to debrief the weekend before heading home.