As a driver for kids who were a part of the provisional troop, I didn’t have many real duties during the day. I was there to maintain order in their campsite which during the day was empty as they were off partaking in scouting activities. My presence for the night was required, in a tent which was provided for me by the camp.
Meals were prepared by the boys, and for the most part they were pretty good t it. Things requiring cooking were done on shepherd stoves which consisted of a fire box on four legs with a cast iron cooking surface. These were required because the ground was secondary growth from the Peshtigo fire of 1871 the same night as the great Chicago fire. A ground laid campfire could burn down and create some severe problems.
One day while canoeing was being practiced by the boys, I was watching from shore. A father from another troop propositioned me to a canoe race between him and his son and me and my son who happened to be there that year. The wager was for beer and pizza over at Cisco Bay. We would race out on the big lake around the island and back.
We took off and Dan and I immediately pulled ahead and ran away with the race. We waited on shore for them to return. They congratulated us on the runaway victory. The dad then asks me how it was that we were so fast and able to run in a straight line. I confessed to him that I was counselor for the canoeing merit badge, and the next day I would teach him the J stroke for control.
The beer and pizza were delicious.
Geoff3110
Awesome https://is.gd/N1ikS2