Troop 542 visited Rodney Scout Reservation for its annual moviemaking camping trip from Friday, November 17 to Sunday, November 19, 2023. One of the most anticipated Troop activities, the moviemaking competition is a several-week-long challenge between patrols to write, film, and edit movies that portray Scouting values in a positive light. In preparation for the November cabin camping trip, Scout patrols brainstormed ideas, wrote scripts, created props, and prepared to film throughout the weekend. After Saturday’s lunch and morning programming, each Scout patrol had three hours to film scenes for its movie. During the filming sessions, judges traveled between cabins to check in with patrols, scoring them based on criteria such as preparation, planning, and leadership.
After patrols had finished filming for the afternoon, Scouts returned to the main campsite to cook dinner and plan skits for the nightly campfire. At 8 p.m., Troop 542 reconvened at the campfire for songs, skits, and games emceed by Brian Lester and John Henry Bollenbach. After a successful show, the Scouts returned to their cabins to either continue filming or sleep.
The following morning, Scouts cleaned up the campsite before participating in an interfaith service prepared by Chaplain Aide Jack Dorsey. Then, it was time to depart for Supplee Presbyterian Church to store equipment and distribute any remaining food.
The films were submitted to the PLC at the weekly Monday night meeting for review by a panel of Scout leaders and parents. Movies are rated to determine which patrol created the best picture. The movies then premiered at the December Court of Honor, with the Pine Tree Patrol taking first place.