By Kristof D.
It was a sunny Saturday morning in September, and we woke up with one thing on our minds: The Beach.
The excitement of digging giant holes in the sand and swimming motivated everyone to move quickly. After breakfast, we packed up and piled into the cars, ready for an epic day.
Troop 5 has a special beach tradition—digging a massive hole in the sand. By the end of the day, most of the troop ends up in the hole, buried up to their necks. This year, a few scouts added their own twist by playing an energetic game of “kill the carrier” with a spikeball. Miraculously, there were no injuries—just lots of laughter and some swallowed seawater.
Beyond the games and digging, the beach offered something for everyone. Some scouts swam, others lounged on the sand, played catch, or enjoyed quiet moments alone. But unlike previous years this year some of the Scouts rented surf boards and surfed for the first time.
As the day came to a close, tired and sandy, we left with a deep appreciation for this annual tradition.
In the evening, the magic of a Troop 5 campfire took over. There’s something about the glow of the fire and the familiar traditions that captures the spirit of Scouting.
The campfire came alive with classic songs like The Window, Titanic, and Railroad. The laughter continued with skits like Bull Patrols Amish paradise and ended with Scout Master Donat delivering a heartfelt speech, followed by everyone enjoying some delicious apple crisp under the stars.
Sunday morning brought the bittersweet task of packing up. As we prepared to leave, the Troop quietly reflected on the contrast between the simplicity of camping and the conveniences of modern life. Out here, the distractions of the digital world faded away, and we focused on the moment.