Summer Camp Snapshots from Arcadia’s Troop 6 By Greg A. Bruns Photos by Rose Miller and Greg Bruns A rcadia’s Boy Scout Troop 6 went to Camp Geronimo in July, for their annual week-long summer camp. Geronimo is located 20 miles north of Payson, at the base of the Mogollon Rim. 28 Scouts from 11 to 17 years old, along with several adults from the troop stayed for six days and nights at the popular BSA camp in the Tonto National Forest. Geronimo offers a wide variety of outdoor activities and courses, giving scouts an opportunity to earn merit badges from more than 50 different programs. Troop 6 was busy, as the boys collectively earned nearly 90 merit badges during the week. Some of the badges include: Archery, Orienteering, Cooking, Lifesaving, Astronomy, Wilderness Survival, Horsemanship, Leatherworking, Woodcarving, Environmental Science, Reptile/ Amphibian Study and Search and Rescue. It’s not all about the merit badges, though. “The Scouts also learn personal responsibility,” said Troop 6 Scoutmaster John Moody. “They wake up each morning at 4:45 a.m. for the Polar Bear Swim, keep their tents and campsite clean and well-organized (including the latrines!), plus they have the responsibility of getting to their merit badge classes and completing the required work – all without their parents!” The BSA summer camp program is a peer-based learning system, with adult oversight. Older Scouts gain confidence by learning and practicing critical leadership skills when they lead younger Scouts. The camp holds seven sessions during the summer, with several troops attending each week. Camp Geronimo is spread out over 200 acres and has 29 separate camp sites capable of handling more than 400 people. Troops come from all over Arizona with a few from other states. “It was a great week,” said Moody. “A Scoutmaster couldn’t have asked for a better group of Scouts or a better week at summer camp. I am so proud of all of them!” For more about Troop 6 contact John Moody at jmoody@pcmlawaz.com. ARCADIA’S TROOP SIX AT CAMP GERONIMO 2018 Front row (left-right): John Moody, Will Moody, John Falls, Lucas Le, Hudson Hays, Daniel Fan, Ian Kelley, Theo Kaercher, David Schleeper, Dylan Erickson, Jax Miller, Carter Bruns, Andrew Landon, Ethan Reniewicki, Ian Ellsworth, Aiden Anderson, Wesley Jackson, Jack Stieg. Back row (left-right): Eli Judiscak, Brad Gooch (behind), Henry Toney, Colgin Katz, Max Lunifeld, Matthew Bocchi, Peter Mitchell, Alan Adams, Calvin Eng, Nicholas Heim, Parker Henderson, Zachary Jackson, Norm Anderson, Chris Kelley, Cal Eng. With 29 camp sites spread over 200 acres, Camp Geronimo can accommodate more than 400 guests. Due to the extreme fire danger, many parts of the Tonto National Forest are completely closed. According to the U.S. Forest Service, this is the driest the forest has been in more than 110 years. Assistant Scoutmaster Jack Stieg has been coming to Geronimo for 33 years. Cattle were all over the area, as part of a new grazing rotation to help reduce the grass and foliage, and thus, the fire hazard. The USFS monitors the forage utilization and availability of water. Clearing brush and cleaning up the area around a trail-head for the camp service project. Scoutmaster John Moody has been leading the troop to Geronimo since 2010.

The troop handles complete kitchen and dining hall duties for one meal during the week, serving the entire camp. Troop 6 served beef tacos with rice and corn — and a dessert the scouts called “orange stuff.” The “Polar Bear Plunge” at 5 a.m. is a fast way to wake up! Canvas tents are standard. Scouts provide their own cots and sleeping bags. Flag ceremonies were held every morning and evening. The rifle range was a favorite spot during the daily free-time. A new Troop 6 Scout, Ian Kelley received the Camp Geronimo 2018 “First-Year Camper Award” at the end- of-week awards ceremony. Lining up for the final evening, a camp-wide celebration. Finally, some time to rest on the way home.