Rain dampens tents, but not scouts’ spirits

See more photos from the event here.

It was certainly an experience for the more than 200 scouts and parents who camped out at the Village Green last week. A rainstorm in wee hours of Saturday morning not only soaked the site but it flooded some tents and sent many campers fleeing to their cars.

“It was like a monsoon,” said Boy Scout Troop 116 leader John Plackis, who noted that there was a steady, heavy rainfall for about two and a half hours. “I never saw it rain so hard for so long.”

When the clouds passed and the sun came up, many campers could be seen wringing out clothes, drying off papers and airing out water-logged tents. But there were more important matters to attend to. At 9 a.m., scouts gathered in front of the bandshell for the traditional opening ceremony to officially kick off the 32nd annual Camporee, an event where Valley Stream scouts — both girls and boys — spend two nights on the Village Green.

Troop 116 was the host unit this year, and Plackis led a committee of other scouting leaders to plan the Camporee. Scouts learned a variety of skills including setting up a tent and maintaining a campsite, tying a knot and first aid. There were a variety of games and races as well as a cooking contest. Saturday night, a bonfire was lit and scouts from the various units performed skits on the stage.

This year’s Camporee also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. About 40 girls from 10 different units from the Valley Stream Association of Girl Scouts camped out. Elizabeth Fogarty, a girl scout leader, said that participation continues to increase each year. “This is usually the girls first camping experience,” she said, “and it’s close to home.”

Scouts and leaders say they like the campout right in Valley Stream. “If you forget something, you can still go back and get it,” said 13-year-old Frank Rossetti, a Boy Scout with Troop 109. Rossetti said he has been participating in the Camporee for eight years and said he enjoys seeing his friends in different troops.