Cooperstown NY – May 2008
We left OLPH at 8:15 Saturday morning with a change in plans: Due to the weather forecast, we went straight to Glimmerglass camp site to set up before the rain started (or was forecast to). Kudos to Hank Roth for mapping out a more direct route to the camp, rather than through Cooperstown. Some scouts worked on their requirements on the rides up. In our car, Nick Marcheso and Michael Zakrewski worked with Matt Folkerts.
Set up in the camp went smoothly, with canopy set up as well as scouts assisting each other and after lunch, we left for Cooperstown at 1pm. After finding on-street parking (And saving $10 per vehicle - "A Scout is Thrifty"), we met at the Hall of Fame and toured the museum until 4:30, then Main Street until 5:15. At least a dozen scouts completed the HOF Scavenger Hunt, which I collected and will mail in to obtain their patches.
At 5:15 we departed C-Town for the campsite, and upon arrival, proceeded to get dinner ready. Some of the younger scouts worked on their requirements for advancement. The patrols made good choices for dinner and as a result, preparation and serving went well and cleanup was relatively minimal. The adults were treated to sausage and onion/pepper heros, topped with cheese, courtesy of Chef-in-Charge Sarah Jensen.
Evening turned out to be a relaxing one in camp - for the adults, that is. In the wide open area of the camp with pine trees on one side, the scouts played Manhunt, and some fished in Beaver Pond. We gazed approximately 1 star due to clouds, although the moon shined brightly at times. The rain gods treated us kindly, with only occasional rain showers hitting us.
Breakfast was equally smooth, the scouts having cereal/oatmeal, the adults feasting on "Egg McTreishs" as the scouts referred to them, while waiting for the leftovers. The canopy was down, we broke camp and everyone was ready to go at 9:00am.
Arrived Howe Caverns 10:00 for the 10:30 tour. Howe Caverns, discovered by Lester Howe in 1842, was a very interesting geological tour. The original entrance was essentially blown up by the quarry co. that bought the property in the early 1900's after interest in touring waned. As compensation, they paid for the wiring and lights inside the tunnel after it was resurrected and rebuilt for future generations to enjoy. We departed Howe Caverns at approximately Noon to "enjoy" the rain and traffic on the ride home.
Much thanks to the Adults who assisted with all activities in making the trip a success.
Lessons Learned:
Cleanup Crews need to stay put until cleanup is totally done. Patrol Leaders responsibility is to ensure this happens.
"The harder you look, the greater the reward", Will Nedds, upon searching and finding a very cool spot in the campsite to enjoy.