Members of Northgate United Methodist Boy Scout Troop 175 of Irving recently visited Hale Scout Reservation in Talihina, Oklahoma for a week. The camp is part of the Indian Nations Council of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The week featured not only cooler temperatures but learning skills such as engineering, first aid, graphic arts, adventure skills such as snow skiing and kayaking, and open air tent camping.

The 17 boys and 6 adults awoke at the crack of dawn to make the 4 hour trip.  Prior to leaving on Sunday morning, Northgate’s Pastor Margie  Steele prayed with the Scouts reminding them of their duty to God as the twelfth point of the Scout law.

During the week, Scouts spent their days participating in classes on various topics from Astronomy to Whitewater Rafting.  The boys braved the daily rains and the thorough drenching they each received during the day, always mustering up a good attitude.  The nights at the camp were lively with tales of the day’s class antics and laughter from young men enjoying the great outdoors and the camaraderie of their fellow Scouts.

The highlight of the trip for Assistant Scoutmaster Joey Castleberry was the relaxation of being able to sit in a camping chair and watch pine trees blowing in the gentle, cool breeze.  Adult Leader Donna Love stated, “I didn’t know you could have so much fun in the rain.” Another Assistant Scoutmaster David Robin laughingly commented on the climb to the chow hall as “Cardiac Hill.”

Troop 175 Adult Scouters under the leadership of Scoutmaster Mark Sligar were especially appreciative of the willingness of the camp staff to work with the youth even in their free time.  Each youth staff member was an Eagle Scout or a Gold Scout in Girl Scouts.

As the tents came down and sleeping bags and trunks were loaded on the trailer for the long trip home, Scouts began to realize that this was their last camping trip adventure  before it was back to school again for another year.