Ashland Boy Scouts fare well at Spring Camporee
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Ashland’s Boy Scout Troop 179 recently attended the annual Spring Camporee, which was held at the Swanson Farm in Mapleton.
TWELVE BOYS and two leaders of Ashland Scout Troop 179 attended the Spring Camporee held in Mapleton. 
Here, the Scouts take a break from the challenges for a photo. Pictured are, from left, front row: Otis Nelson, Graham Berry (Webelos Scout of Pack 179), Jack Routhier, Airin Harmon, Tristan Perreault and Wyatt Carr. Back row: Linda Milligan, Scoutmaster; Peng Cheng, Malcolm Milligan, Garrett Graham, Ben Philbrook, Zach Carr, Alex Gillis and Polly Libby, assistant Scoutmaster.
They were lucky enough to have a weekend without rain, which is unusual for a Spring Camporee in northern Maine.
On Friday afternoon, the Scouts set up their campsite. At dark that evening, the boys from all the participating Scout troops played a game of “man hunt.”
Photo courtesy of Polly Libby
GUESS WHO? — Ashland Boy Scout Alex Gillis 
hides behind a clump of grass he gathered during the Scouts’ Spring Camporee held at the Swanson Farm in Mapleton.
On Saturday morning, the boys enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes and french toast. After the opening ceremonies, the challenges for the day began. Boys competed in fire building, team building, knot tying and building camp gadgets competitions. The boys found the specified challenges, which were hidden, by using a map and compass.
In the afternoon, the boys put together a catapult for the final competition. They were throwing a tennis ball for distance and accuracy.
Each patrol in the troop had an entry in the “iron chef” competition Saturday evening. Team “Caesar Scouts” made a spicy beef/lamb stew and Dutch oven cake. The “Tree Ninjas” made a chicken/lamb/broccoli alfredo casserole in the Dutch oven. All the different troops brought their food dishes together for a delicious potluck that was enjoyed by all.
The evening campfire program started with a flag retirement ceremony and included a Webelos crossover ceremony. Each troop then performed their own skit for the entertainment of others. Troop 179 put together an original skit of a “worm” hunt.
Photo courtesy of Polly Libby
THE BOY SCOUTS of Ashland Troop 179 recently participated in a Spring Camporee. During the weekend camp, the Scouts competed in challenges that tested their Scouting skills. 
Here, the Ashland Scouts prepare to launch a catapult. Airin Harmon, left, and Malcolm Milligan operate the ropes while Zach Carr and Ben Philbrook provide the needed anchoring of the catapult. Waiting for their turn to launch the tennis ball are Tristan Perreault, Garrett Graham, Otis Nelson and Wyatt Carr.
The Order of the Arrow (OA) then “called out” the boys who had been elected by their troop. Zach Carr, Garrett Graham and Airin Harmon were the Scouts “called out” by their Troop 179. Once called out, in order to become a member of the OA, the Scouts must attend a “weekend ordeal.” After the campfire, the boys who were not yet tired, enjoyed a game of Zombie Tag.
Sunday morning was site cleanup and the closing ceremony. Ashland’s Troop 179 brought home first-place in team building and the camp gadget competitions, second-place in fire building and third-place in the catapult. The boys really enjoyed the weekend. Great job!
Ashland Summer Food Service Program
The Ashland District School is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals are being provided to all children free of charge, Monday through Friday, now through July 31. The meals are served in the Ashland District School Cafeteria from 11-11:30 a.m. All meals are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 435-8232 or Feenhop@aol.com.
