By: Tom Ritz
The International Camporee 2005 was held on the weekend of May
20, 2005. It was sunny, hot, in a foreign land, and a whole lot
of fun. Troop 51 of the Mission District, along with many other
American Boy Scout Troops, some from as far away as Chino Hills,
traveled down to Cañada Del Sol Ranchero near Tecate Mexico
as guests of the Scouts de Mexico. We arrived on site and were
directed to an open field that soon was intermixed with different
Scout organizations from both countries. At opening ceremonies
it was a thrill to see 900+ Scouts and Scouters assembled under
the International Scout Symbol.
The Camporee activities ranged from physically demanding rope
bridges, zip lines, tug of wars, to the educational and practical
events such as making air dried jerky, origami, compass work plus
a variety of other fun filled events. All were competing over
the small Camporee pin. Some of the toughest competitors were
the smaller Mexican girls. They are driven to win and fear nothing.
For the last night a Mexican Fiesta was held and what a great
night it was. There were all types of games from bingo to darts,
and to the surprise of some Scouts, mock marriages. I met one
lucky American Scout with a bright red ribbon on his neck and
a smile from ear to ear, gush to me! I just got married.
My personal favorite had to be when the different countries had
a battle of Scout songs. (TROOP 51 WAS THE LEADERS!!!!) Imagine
a court yard with two large picnic tables whose tops are covered
with boys and girls facing one another, and each table trying
to outdo the other with a tune in their native tongue. Surrounding
the tables and groups are scores of Scout and Scouters trying
to get a view, all smiling and laughing at the spectral. This
went on for hours. What a party!
Our hosts were always polite, friendly, and gracious. A special
memory for me is seeing a teenage Mexican Scout cutting her patch
off her uniform, not for trading but to give in friendship. Many
a Scout left that weekend with a newly traded scarf or new belt
along with a special Scout experience. If you want to do something
that is truly an exceptional Scouting event, try the next International
Camporee. It's out of this world, and really close to home.
Pictures
Here
