All’s well that ends well


As our caravan pulled out of the parking lot at Tom Brown Arena just after 1 PM on Friday, a trace of snow began to float through the air. 

Little did we know how the weather would shape the next 24 hours. 

By the time we passed through Kanata, heavy wet snow was beginning to stick to roads and cars. After a bumpy, winding, snow squall filled journey we arrived at Kingsford Dam. We quickly unloaded and the Scouts set off on the first of multiple 2km loops to our campsites at Cluster 11.

After transporting all of our gear onto the site, the Scouts made quick work of erecting their tents and stowing their packs. By now the snow was falling wet and heavy, soaking all our clothes and making dinner preparation a challenge.

Moral was low as the darkness set in and our two tent villages were separated by 100 yards of inky blackness. Soon the darkness was broken by the warming glow of our roaring fire. The air was filled with crackling sparks and heavy smoke.

Spirits began to rise as warmth soothed the weary Scouts, and the promise of a warm bed filled their heads. Or perhaps it was the effects of 40 charred hot dogs and a Troop sized bag of kettle cooked potato chips... We'll never know.

By 7 PM the snow had turned to rain and all the Scouts took shelter in their tents to read quietly and ponder ways to improve the world. At least I think that's what they were doing. I'm not entirely sure what "Five card Nancy, heavy handed, with double regret for the lazy monarch" is... But at least they seemed warm and happy.

The temperature rose slightly over the next few hours while the Scouters tended the fire. The rain intensified and occasionally a few Scouts ventured outside to ask "Is it morning?". It was 9 PM.

Eventually even the Scouters grew tired, and after we surveyed all the tents one last time we went to bed.

Over the course of the next few hours the weather changed from driving rain, to howling winds and the heavy snow that had collected on the branches above began to bombard our tents with a booming assault of splattering slush.

The strong winds lasted through the night, the noise of vibrating nylon tents sounded like trains in the distance. By morning most of the snow was washed away by the rain, and the wind had dried out our site. Unfortunately the effects of the snow and rain remained. Much of our gear was wet and frozen. The strong winds made breakfast preparation a serious challenge. Our stoves barely functioned and we struggled to make our breakfast. Eventually we moved our kitchen into a spare tent and prepared our meal of hashed potatoes, eggs, and bacon. 

After some constant checking of the weather forecast and an audit of all the Scouts tents and clothing, the decision was made to pack up and head out before more severe weather arrived.

Some of the Scouts were disappointed with the decision to head home early, but our priority is always the well being of every Scout. Despite the raging winds the Scouts packed up in record time, and after hauling our soggy gear several loops back to the cars, we set off back home.

The Scouts probably don't realize it, but most of us hiked 8-10 Km with packs and other Troop gear. Not bad.

After a quick pit-stop in Perth to test the quality of the donuts, we arrived back at the School before dark.

As always I thank the unlimited generosity of my fellow Scouters, and all the Scouts and families for their trust and support as we try to make good memories and deliver the best Scouting program possible.

I did not take as many photos as I usually do, but some can be found here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5pUTEztmAgJo56uw8

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