Summer camp - 2008, was spent at:

Baiting Hollow Scout Camp is a clean, spacious camp. The mosquitoes were pretty tough, and hungry, but a few dryer sheets in the tent, and plenty of DEEP WOODS bug spray, seemed to help with the problem. The campsite (Treasure Oaks East) was a nice site, though the bathroom facility was too far away. Many thanks to Camp Administrator Jim Grimaldi for his hands-on management of the camp. He was always available if you needed him, and it shows how much he enjoys being the director of the camp.

During the week there, our boys earned a combined total of 51 merit badges. This year's badges earned included: Basketry, Rowing, Climbing, Environmental Science, Art, Sculpture, Small Boat Sailing , Swimming, and Mammal Studies.

Our first year guys spent the week in the Brown Sea Scout program. This allowed the boys, not yet past the 1st Class rank to work on different advancement requirements which would allow them to move on to their next rank. They were also offered the chance to earn two merit badges, which they took advantage of.

We also enjoyed the fifth annual In-Site Campfire. After a rough start, the boys got their act(s) together and put on a fine show. Our fire-starting assistant scoutmaster, after a rough try on Sunday night, got his mojo back and we had a fine fire for the event. The leaders sprang for pizza. Even the mosquitoes couldn't dampen the spirit.

During the week, Troop 130 certainly made it know they were in camp. Along with Tim's "BONE SAW" saying, which spread through the camp rather rapidly, we managed to disrupt their usual "Announcements" ritual. By mid-week we were tired of hearing "A Terrible Way To Die," so we countered with "We Sold Our Cow" as loud as we could muster. It certainly got their attention. At lunch, we countered with "Peter Cottonrtail." At dinner, the majority of the dining hall, just looked over to our tables to see what we were going to do next. The staff was also always on the lookout for the leader "possee." Despite this, we were told we are welcome back anytime.

Wednesday night was the camp's beach party. They have beach-front property right on the Long Island Sound. They served hamburgers and hotdogs. There were beach games, swimming, and boating opportunities. The troop got into quite a physical football game. Chris Y, showed his tacking expertise against Brian, one of the camp counselors.

Despite beating up on one of the counselors, disrupting the mess hall ritual and the "Possee", the troop was awarded a ribbon for Clean Campsite Award.

The camp, overall, was great. Anything we needed (except for a closer bathroom and better pest control) the camp made sure we had. The staff performed bothe opening and closing campfires, with the program director (Pete) performing some excellent songs with his guitar. Many thanks to Jim Grimaldi for providing a firs-rate camp for us to enjoy.