For the summer of 2013 the troop returned to our council summer camp at Camp Noyo. Camp Noyo is unique among summer camps in that the primary way to travel to the camp is via the Skunk Train out of Ft. Bragg, CA. Unfortunately just a few short months before camp was to start, there was a cave in on one of the tunnels on the tracks! There was a 15 ton boulder sitting on the tracks that couldn't be easily removed. To compound the problem, all of the Skunk Trains were in Ft. Bragg at the time, so they were all stuck there! The train was functionally shut down.
The camp reassured the troops that they were open for business despite the problem with the the train and so the troop held on to it's plans to attend the camp. As take off date approached though, the method of arrive continued to be opaque. The plan changed from taking the train from Ft. Bragg as originally planned, to taking the train from Willits (the other end of the line), to having to drive in.
In the end, the tunnel was not cleared and the train was not running and so the troop had to drive in. While most of the boys were disappointed that they would not get the train ride everyone was looking forward to, the drive in was a fun adventure itself! 
After arriving, the troop set up and settled down to the routine of summer camp. This camp's routine was slightly different from many others. One difference is that the boys bring their own tents instead of having them provided by the camp. This was good and bad. Good in that they boys had tents that they were familiar with, but bad that they didn't have the room that most summer camp cabin tents have. The biggest difference though, is that everyone cooks in their own campsites for the entire week. This is difficult, but the boys seem to love it! This year the recipes really seemed to work and the boys did a great job of feeding themselves and the leaders.
The camp also did a great job of providing program for the boys and everyone had a great week. Especially fun was the evening competitions. The SPL's chose water activities and the troops competed in canoe tug of war, canoe sinking contests, and kayak balancing contests.
There was one hick-up in the week though. The camp forgot to send out the shooting sports permission forms and with no phone or internet at the camp, it took several days for the forms to get signed! This was soon enough for most of the archery merit badge participants, but too late for many of the rifle participants. On the last night of camp, the troops were treated to a presentation of The Princess Bride by the camp staff! They did a great job.
The troop returned at the end of the week, tired but pleased with our week in the woods.
Participants: John-Robert, Zack, Andrew W., Brian, Adam, Owen, Eric, James, Angelo, Andres, Bryce, Devon, Matt, Donte, Payton, Joey, Clayton, Jeff
Leaders: Mr. Baier, Mr. St. John, Mr. Valdelomar, Mr. Polkinghorn, Mr. Christensen
Lessons Learned: The drive into Noyo is really neat! It is weird having not train noise! Noyo is still the best small camp around.
