Following a year of planning and preparation, on May 1, scouts and leaders of Boy Scout Troop 330 of Arundel traveled to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York to participate in the 53rd Annual West Point Camporee, a fun and competitive event that included several thousand Girl and Boy Scouts from around the country. 

The Camporee was hosted by the United States Military Academy’s Scoutmaster’s Council, and was led by more than 300 cadet volunteers who were once scouts themselves. The event was open to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Scout Venture Crews. About half of the scouts from more than 14,000 applicants were invited to attend.

This is the first year that Troop 330 entered and was selected. The troop includes scouts who live in Arundel, Biddeford, Sanford, Dayton, Lyman, Waterboro, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

To prepare for the camporee, Troop 330 held several meetings to practice skills they would need at the events, including Swiss seat techniques, knot tying, first aid and fire building skills.

Troop 330 also performed inspections of the scouts’ backpacks prior to departure. The challenge for Troop 330 Scouts was to pack all of their clothing, sleeping gear, and meals, to minimize their backpack weight, and to hike with their gear five miles into the camp with a 1,530-foot climb up the infamous Bull Hill. All attendees from Troop 330 succeeded in this challenge.

Upon arrival at camp, scouts participated in several cadet-run competitions, during which they were scored based on motivation, cooperation and completion. These events included: a rowing competition with inflatable army zodiac boats, water jug carries, fire building, a team wall climb, knot tying, land mine crawl, Swiss seat assembly, a flag capture event, physical fitness, camouflage disguises, a leadership competition, and a building/breaching exercise. In the mornings, there was physical training with a cadet leader. While there, they prepared all meals using lightweight cooking stoves. At the end of the day, scouts were rewarded for their efforts in the competitions with a musical celebration and a bonfire.

Organizers said the troop showed amazing teamwork skills while competing against 250 other troops (roughly 6,500-6,800 scouts) for prizes. Troop 330 brought home two out of the 30 challenge awards that were given for the various competitions. One award was for 3rd Place in the First Aid activities, and another award was for 3rd Place in a difficult memory game with more than 50 items.

Troop 330 did a fantastic job at the events, leaders said, and are very proud of their team accomplishments.

For more information about Arundel Troop 330, contact Scoutmaster Todd Smith at 284-6345.