-Appalachian Adventure at Alta Mons & Stuff

-Appalachian Adventure at Alta Mons & Stuff

         While at the Red Sox game & popcorn kickoff/Scout Night in August, I watched as two grown men jumped up onto picnic tables, dressed as pioneers.  My first thought was to keep walking past, but as these men started talking, I stopped.  I ruled out the possibility of alcohol, since we were at a Scout function, and was still wondering what would possess someone to act like that, when I suddenly got my answer…NO, they didn’t appear to have been struck by a foul ball either; FALL FAMILY CAMPING! (Yes, I’m serious)

These energetic, passionate, HILARIOUS, and completely sane Scout leaders were promoting a new twist on the Fall Family Camping event.

         Ok.  Starting to walk away again.  I get it-Scouts love camping and shooting sports, but for me personally, I don’t want to sit and watch my child only be interested in 6 hours of archery.  I listened and as they talked and joked, I couldn’t tear myself away.  This is different; full of energy and excitement, not scripted and doesn’t seem rehearsed.  What gives?  People around me weren’t walking away or making ugly faces or comments so I stood there and listened.  As they spoke of awards, apple butter, leatherworks, and a company store, this sounded COOL and I wanted to go!  Scouts would have the whole day STUFFED WITH FUN STUFF WITH CHANCES TO EARN STUFF, BUY STUFF, & MAKE STUFF TO HOLD STUFF!  I mean…Scouts like stuff…I like stuff…Parents like their kids doing stuff…and this sounded like some FUN STUFF!  And just like that I was onboard!

         This Appalachian Adventure delivered everything that was promised and then some!  Whoever handled the organizing stuff must have 10 children of their own because all the Scouts were grouped upon registering and given schedules with their rotations for the day-ON LANYARDS!  GENIUS!

They were told to collect “company scrip” for completing activities or for showing Scout spirit and promised a “company store” later in the afternoon to “spend” their scrip.  –So now these amazing people are “paying” them for doing cool stuff!  Um yes-wishing I could be a Cub Scout right about now.

Scout spirit was on overdrive and no expense was spared on the rewards for their efforts!  The looks on these boys faces as they emptied their leather satchels that they had MADE earlier, resembled lottery winners!  I’m watching boys turn in 20 pieces of scrip and choose hammocks, tent fans, solar lanterns, and we can’t forget the ever-popular poo emoji! 

         Bringing back cooking for yourselves helped give everyone a chance to wind down, work on requirements if they wanted, bond, and show off some skills as they had a friendly competition for the coveted Scout Spirit award!  With over 400 Scouts, the heat was on in more places than the Campfire, and with those numbers, it was OBVIOUS that all involved worked hard to plan, promote, and execute a true one-of-a-kind Fall Family experience! 

         This was an Adventure that I’m glad our Pack didn’t miss and one that will be hard to top!  I can’t wait to see what is happening in the Spring and maybe I need to see if they have any other epic ideas that we can use for recruiting J 

-What about you?  Did you go to the GV Appalachian Days?  What was your family’s fav activity?  I would LOVE to hear about it!  Email me and share your experience and don’t forget to include your Unit number and name or ANON if you prefer!

˜Star City Scout Mom