Saturday, November 14, 2015

Michael A. Boccardi Memorial Trek-o-ree 2015

Michael A. Boccardi
Memorial Trek-o-ree 2015

This year's Boccardi Trek-o-ree--an annual activity of the Algonquin District of the Boy Scouts of America, Westchester-Putnam Council, took place Nov. 6-8 at Durland Scout Reservation in Putnam Valley, N.Y. The hiking (trekking) component, naturally, was done on Saturday the 7th. I was told by one of the trek organizers that some 165 Scouts were on the trail during the day, and total registration for the event (including adults) was over 200.

Unfortunately, your faithful blogger couldn't get there until about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday because of a Salesian day of recollection (previous item). He camped, as usual, with Troop Forty from Mt. Vernon, his "home troop," and got his tent pitched as the sun set and daylight totally disappeared.

After a supper of tin-foil chicken, potatoes, and veggies with the five or six Scouts and four other Scouters from the troop, I celebrated Mass in the camp's pavilion for about 65 Scouts and Scouters--an unusually large turnout, and a very nice surprise. We barely had enuf hosts for Communion!

One of the Scouters present took a few photos at Mass with my camera.
Singing the opening hymn at Mass
After Mass we had a traditional Scout campfire with songs, skits, and Scout Vespers; there was also a solemn "retirement" of a well-worn American flag.

Scouts and Scouters at start of campfire.  Troop 40’s Scoutmaster, Tunji Renner,

and an Assistant Scoutmaster, Jimmy Douvres, are standing at right.
Preparing to retire a flag


Scout Vespers
And after the campfire with all the Scouts still in camp, Troop Forty returned to our camp to enjoy our own little fire--and to toast marshmallows.

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