On Friday, December 8, 2022, Troop 542 Scouts set off for a weekend of cabin camping and board game competition at Rodney Scout Reservation in North East, Maryland. On arrival, the Scouts unloaded their personal and troop equipment, and set up the campground for the weekend. This included starting fires in the wood-burning cabin stoves for warmth. These fires were kept burning throughout the night by Scouts taking turns at fire-watch shifts.
The following morning, the Scouts woke and ate breakfast under an outdoor dining fly or inside one of the cabins. After patrols finished cleaning the cooking equipment, the older Scouts traveled to the parade field along the shore for a morning game, while first-year Scouts worked with instructors to complete rank requirements.
The main event followed lunch. The Scouts were divided into groups that rotated through 11 activity stations set up inside as well as outside the adult cabin. Each station featured a four-player board game, some of which included Sorry!, Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, Jenga, and more.
After an afternoon of competition, the patrols reunited and began to cook dinner. Later that evening, Troop 542 convened indoors for its Saturday night campfire, a long-standing tradition held at each camping trip. After a series of skits and songs, the final contest scores were announced. The results were surprising, as the Lightning, Shark, and Squirrel patrols tied for first place, trumping the frequently victorious Eagle patrol.
On Sunday morning, the Scouts cooked breakfast and cleaned up the campsite. Once the packing was complete, Troop 542 Chaplain Aide Andrew Siegel led the Scouts in an inter-faith service before they returned home.