Weeklong camp teaches boys the essence of scouting

By Laurie Gordon
STILLWATER — Three lads from Stillwater who will be seventh graders this fall at Kittatinny Middle School had the opportunity to attend a weeklong sleep-away Boy Scout Camp recently at Camp Winnebago in Rockaway. There may have been some rain, but the boys learned to see it as “liquid sunshine.” With so many activities available to today's youth, these three still make scouting a priority.
Dominic Buff started Boy Scouts in kindergarten as a Cub Scout.
“He joined because both of his older brothers were scouts and I was the Cubmaster,” said his mother, Lori Buff. “So he was very excited when he was old enough to join because he was already very involved. Then he crossed over into the Boy Scout Troop in February 2017.”
“It was my first time to sleep away at a weeklong summer camp,” Dominic Buff said, “But I had done many weekend camping trips which included going to Winnebago a few times.”
Of the sleep-away camp experience, he said, “I love all the song they sing, and the week I was there was 'Christmas in July,' which made it even better.” He added, “I loved all the activities, like the zip line and rifle shooting which are two things not everyone gets to do. The worst part was that it rained so much that my stuff never had time to dry out.”
Buff thinks that Boy Scouts is a great thing, because,”It does get you away from all the technology. It gets you outside and shows you how to have fun while you are still learning. You get to make lifelong friends and many new friends.”
Aiden Bello became a scout at the Cub level in the middle of first grade when his family moved to Stillwater.
“Camp Winmebagp was my first time at a sleep-away camp by myself and for this length of time,” he said. “I have been to Camp Winnebago in the past for other weekend scout events, but my dad came with me.”
Bello said, “My favorite part about the camp experience was spending time with my friends and earning merit badges, but most of all, my favorite thing was zip lining over the lake.”
He added, “In this day and age, while I think that technology is important, I do not fully rely on it. I enjoy being outside and doing things with my family and friends. I am 12 years old and probably one of the only kids without a cell phone yet in my grade. Although that may change when I enter junior high, I don’t put it high on my priority list. Scouts has taught me so much so far and with all of the events that we participate in, it definitely keeps us active. I can’t wait to continue to pursue the ranks and hopefully one day, achieve my Eagle Scout.”
"I would recommend scouting to every kid, start young, and grow with your pack," Bello said. "You will be able to have such amazing experiences and participate in so many meaningful things, from Pinewood Derbys, Blue and Gold Dinners, parades, life skills, field trips, celebrating Veterans, milestones, camping, cooking, planning, the importance of religion and everything in between, scouting is a very important part of my life.”
Like Buff, Jamie Whitby started Scouts in kindergarten with his friends. He said, “Lots of boys joined, and Mrs. Buff was a great leader. Not as many boys seem to be in it now.”
He added, “This was sleep-away camp for a whole week without parents: just our Troop Leader Mr. Bork. My troop did a few other weekend camp outs where some of the dads came.”
Whitby has been to camp Winnebago on at least two other weekends, for Klondike and for a practice campout.
“I love the whole camp week," he said. "We did fun outside stuff called Rain Liquid Sunshine and earned badges, but my favorite part was Flag Retirement. A formal silken ceremony where American Flags that are worn out get burned to ashes.”
Whitby added, “We did no computer games or phones all week and I didn't even miss it. We did all kinds of outside stuff — swimming, hiking, campfires, singing and fun outside activities. We earned badges and slept in tents and I definitely want to go back next year.”
Harold Bork is one of the troop leaders for Troop 83, the troop in which Buff, Bello and Whitby are a part.
“It was a great week at Camp Winnebago with the scouts, but a shame that the two others who had planned on going had to miss,” Bork said. “Due to the number of opportunities that the youth of today have and the limited time available, I have noticed a drop in the number of new members to the Boy Scouts of America programs. It isn’t just our troop, but others as well. In addition the immediate area seems to have less youth to begin with.”
Bork added, “The idea of getting away from the modern world, as much as possible, seems to do the youth a world of good. In the case of our troop only I had a cell phone and easy contact off camp. The youth from all different troops get to meet new people face to face and try new things.This year to make Winnebago more aligned with current interest they started a STEM program which included drones and other new tech. Weather didn’t help to get the full program in but in general the attendees seemed to enjoy.”
He said that the three scouts from Troop 83 took part in what’s called the Dan Beard Program, for first year campers.
“In the program they work on merit badges and requirements for the early ranks,” Bork said. “ It gave them a feel for everything the camp offered, while leaving free time to do what really interested them. I saw all three making new friends and working with others. They all stepped up to volunteer at meal times each day without ever needing to be asked. "
Jackie McDonough, of Stillwater, said her sons, Nicholas and Matthew Kaufman (now in their 20s) grew up completely enthralled with scouting. They attended Camp Winnnebago, and both have been counselors there.
“Scouting has taught them deep traditions and it's Matt's favorite place to be,” McDonough said.
Matt Kaufman is in his eighth year of being a counselor at Camp Winnebago and wants to remain to hit the 10-year mark.
“You can become a counselor in training at age 14, but most leave after college. Nick made the best use of his time at Camp Winnebago earning merit badges as a Counselor in Training while Matt chose to enjoy the fishing and swimming as much as possible,” Jackie McDonough said. “Scouting's effect on the boys has resulted in them being very comfortable speaking in front of a crowd and being able to travel the world to a Jamboree in Sweden.”