Scouts camp out on the Village Green

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It was a bright and sunny weekend for the Boys and Girl Scouts of Valley Stream on June 9, as the scouts participated in the 37th annual Camporee at the Village Green in Valley Stream.

“This particular event is really important for the tradition and for the units to come together,” said Cubmaster Patrick Burke. “Usually troops work independently. This event allows them to show off what they have learned, and participate together and separately.”

The Camporee is an annual camping experience, and a revered tradition among scouts. They camp out for the weekend and participate in a number of different activities throughout the day.

“For many children this is their first time camping ... ,” said Elizabeth Stevens, the chair of association of volunteers for the Girl Scouts said. “I find that when I'm there, I have such a wonderful time with everyone. I think there is something special about such a large group of people coming together.”

About 300 scouts attended the Camporee this year, which began with an opening ceremony where many dignitaries from Valley Stream spoke. The scouts also held a parade and marched around in their uniforms with flags to kick off the event.

“I loved the opening ceremony because we got to wear our uniforms,” said Alexa Stevens from Troop 2073. “I also really loved sleeping there because we got to be with out troop and spend time with each other in tents.”

The children and their scoutmasters participated in a bonfire, cooking contest, tug of war and various water activities. The cooking contest was a favorite among many scouts. The contestants were not told what food they would be preparing in advance — sweet potatoes, steak and kale.

“My favorite part of the day was definitely the cooking competition, because it was a lot of fun,” said Ian Burke, of Troop 116.

This year’s theme celebrated 100 years of the Theodore Roosevelt Council. Each troop was assigned a decade within the 100 years to learn about and put together a presentation. According to its website, The Theodore Roosevelt Council, established in 1917, is one of the nation's oldest Boy Scouts of America local councils. The name was changed in honor of former president Theodore Roosevelt, who was a founding member of the Boy Scouts of America. Each year a different theme is chosen with the idea centered on teaching both boys and girls scouts about a particular topic. 

This year, the winning patch — which will be added to the scouts’ collection — reflected the Roosevelt theme, and was designed by Den 9 from Troop 372, of Franklin Square.  

Isabella Healey, of Troop 2073, has attended the Camporee for the last three years. Healey’s favorite parts of included, the obstacle course made out of pool noodles and duct tape, and she added that she enjoyed the closing ceremony.

For more information about the Theodore Roosevelt Council, visit trcbsa.org.