Boy Scout Troop 101 of Noblesville recently set a troop and camp record as 103 Scouts attended summer camp at Ransburg Scout Reservation near Bloomington.
During the week-long camp, Scouts camped in tents while participating in activities such as swimming, boating, horse-back riding, shotgun/rifle shooting and wall climbing. Asst. Scoutmaster Dave Starling said Scouts achieved 243 merit badges for various skills and projects including first aid, robotics, wilderness survival, geocaching, environmental science and oceanography, to name a few.
“The mantra for the week was ‘have fun’ and ‘drink water,’” Starling said.
During the week, Scouts have the option of participating in the Firecrafter program, which is only offered at summer camp. Potential Firecrafter candidates have several requirements to fulfill during the week. Starling said part of these requirements include creating a fire by friction and organizing a campfire program for the troop.
“Troop 101 had 11 Firecrafter candidates with a campfire program organized by each candidate. Patrols and adults within the troop participated in each of the programs to the amusement of the rest of the Troop,” Starling said.
Firecrafter candidates, who still need to go through the Firecrafter ritual before becoming Firecrafters, include Spencer Alfredson, Joshua Baker, Charlie Cummings, Kole Goodrich, Adam Hemmelgarn, Michael Kwiakowski, Matthew Lingren, Corbin Long, Josh Longawa, Cameraon Radtke and Hayden Sterner.