Submitted by Dave Smith —
NORTH FORK — North Fork Scout Troop 357 has been busy throughout this winter and spring.
Along with weekly meetings where Scouts practice various skills such as first aid, fire building, and map and compass, the Scouts have participated in a number of weekend events.
In January, the troop spent an afternoon at Boomers! in Fresno. February found the Scouts spending a day in the snow above Shaver Lake on Highway 168.
Troop 357 CPR Class March 16 – photo by Dave Smith
Troop 357 on a snow day near Shaver Lake Feb 16 – photo by Dave Smith
In March, Scouts from the troop spent the first day of Easter vacation at Magic Mountain in Valencia.
Also in March, ten Scouts plus siblings and some parents received CPR training during a special training session.
Early April was to be a weekend of competition between Scout troops from North Fork, Oakhurst, Madera and Chowchilla. However, the weather won out on the scheduled weekend when it rained an inch in Fresno and flooded the camping area. The Camporee was canceled Saturday morning after troops were flooded out.
In addition to the troop’s regularly scheduled camping trip, the Scouts will receive additional first aid training during the month of May. Upon completion of that training, those Scouts who completed the CPR and First Aid courses will receive a two-year CPR and First Aid certification.
April 30 and May 1 found the Scouts of North Fork Troop 357 visiting Morro Bay for the weekend. Upon arrival at the coast, the Scouts set up camp at the Morro Bay State Park campground.
Once camp was set up, the troop traveled a few miles south to Montana de Oro State Park to visit tide pools and spend the day at the beach.
The troop was fortunate this year since the day’s low tide had taken place an hour before their arrival.
It was one of the nicest days the troop has had weather-wise. The tide was way out, sand dollars could be collected by the handfuls and there were lots of small crabs in the jetty rocks.
Camping and cooking skills were tested Saturday evening through Sunday morning at the campground, which included some delicious Dutch Oven peach cake served with ice cream.
After breaking camp and ensuring the campsite was clean, the troop enjoyed the beach adjacent to Morro Rock before returning home to North Fork.
Troop 357 meets at the Scout Building in North Fork on Monday evenings from 7 to 8:30 pm. Boys between the ages of 10½ and 17 are eligible to be a Scout.
For more information, contact Dave Smith, Scoutmaster, at 877-2186.
