Co-Directors Celebrate 20 Years of Campout Success at Camp Sam Hatcher

Jane and Kevin Treon celebrated a special milestone with the Cub Scout Spring Family Campout, April 11-13, at Camp Sam Hatcher. It was in 1994 that they first started out as Campout Directors in the Croatan Trail District and they’ve been providing a Spring and Fall Campout experience every year since. Part of their success is enlisting the help of other trained and dedicated Scouters, but it also comes from their

own individual love of the Scouting program.

“I always love seeing the little ones having a good time,” Jane pointed out. “I’ve always loved doing it; I can’t really explain it.” One sign of Jane’s dedication to scouting is her NC license plate: “SCOUTLAW.” Some tease that it stands for “SC Outlaw” but she’s certainly heard that one before.

Kevin Treon, her husband of 30 years, is equally dedicated to Scouting and invested in providing an exceptional Campout experience for the scouts and their families. As anyone who’s met Kevin knows, he has a knack for energizing a group of scouts and knowing just what activities and crafts will interest the youngsters.

“What keeps me going is that certain look you get from the scouts and their brothers and sisters,” Kevin recalled. “I remember one scout’s sister who wanted to shoot a bow and arrow, and the bow was taller than she was. I helped her steady the bow and the first arrow actually hit the target. She turned to me with the biggest smile and said ‘Oh, I did that!’ That’s what it’s all about,” Kevin said proudly.

The team of dedicated Scouters behind this campout included: Richard Bush, Ernie Giblin, Monica Kruse, Tracy Kruse, Joe O’Brien, Ed Ryan, Maryann Ryan, William Ryan, and of course, Jane and Kevin Treon.

Each leader brings their own expertise, for instance, Ed Ryan who supervised the campout archery range has over 40 years experience excelling in speed shooting and with his son William created a YouTube video: Archery Trick Shots.

The theme for the Spring Campout was: “A World of Folklore and Legends.” Eight local packs participated and chose various mythic heroes in accordance with the theme such as: Johnny Appleseed (Pack 61), Daniel Boone (Pack 130), Blackbeard (Pack 252), Casey Jones (Pack 334), Bigfoot (Pack 446), Paul Bunyan (Pack 460), Three Billy Goats Gruff (Pack 551) and Robin Hood (Pack 572).

An unusual aspect of the campout this year was what greeted campers as they approached Camp Sam Hatcher. The last mile of gravel road had signs posted every several hundred yards warning of “Big Foot”. The signs didn’t deter anyone from continuing on, but it certainly did make people more aware of their environment and any suspicious activity or traces in the forest. Apparently, Pack 446 was responsible for the warnings and their campsite included a “Big Foot” souvenir store, a holding cage

(empty) and a full-scale painted replica of “Big Foot” that you could insert your head into for a “Big Foot” photo op.

The much anticipated activities enjoyed by scouts and their siblings included: Archery, Babe, the Blue Ox Toss, Big Foot Race, Cow Head Ring Toss, John Henry Tire Run (Obstacle Course), Paddle Boat Racing (Raingutter), Rapunzel’s Castle (Knot-tying), Sam Patch’s Last Leap, Scottish Caber Toss, and two crafts: Handmade Bird Call and Coonskin Cap Neckerchief Slide.

A regular feature of the campouts is the Dutch Oven cooking competition open to Webelos Scouts and the Saturday night post-campfire outdoor movie this time was the Disney movie “Daniel Boone” featuring Fess Parker. The Daniel Boone theme song was a bit of nostalgia for parents and a toe-tapper for young scouts with the chorus: “Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier!”

The weather cooperated and provided a wonderful camping experience for all the family campers who attended. Youngsters looked forward to the campfire and roasting their hot dogs and later some marshmallows to create those gooey but deliciously tempting “Smores.”

At the closing ceremony on Sunday morning, Webelos Scouts from Pack 252, assisted by their Den Leader Stacey Dean, conducted the flag ceremony and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Scout Oath. Kevin Treon recognized each Pack and called forth a representative to receive a participation ribbon to add to their Pack’s American flag. He also presented a “Spirit Award” to Pack 446 for their “Big Foot” theme, gateway, souvenir store and overall extra effort. Accepting the award was Pack 446 senior ranking scout, a very proud Webelos II Travis Rose.

With another successful campout to their credit, Jane and Kevin Treon are already looking forward to their next Fall Family Campout and continuing to provide a quality experience for young scouts, siblings and families.

These were the ominous signs that greeted campers every few hundred yards as they traveled the 1 mile gravel road leading to Camp Sam Hatcher for the Spring Family Campout. Reportedly, this didn’t discourage anyone from continuing on to the camp, but it certainly had everyone cautiously on the lookout for anything unusual or suspicious lurking in the woods.

This crew of Blackbeard pirates are actually Pack 252 Scouts assembled for the opening ceremony of the Family Campout Weekend.

Three members of the North Carolina Fire Service gave a presentation on forest fire safety on Saturday morning. On hand were (left to right) Dusty DeSteunder, Smokey Bear (Forest Ranger Adam Brooks) and Carteret County Ranger Brian Swanson who showed his fire-fighting gear and demonstrated a fire-fighting hoe/axe called a Pulaski.

As you can see, scouts were eager to meet one-on-one with Smokey Bear.

Pack 252 Wolf Nicholas Ross (Blackbeard pirate) and his mother, Assistant Den Leader Melanie Ross take a break at the entrance to Camp Sam Hatcher. “Ross had been asking for a whole month: ‘Is it time yet (for daycamp)?,’ Melanie confided. They are from Beaufort and are well acquainted with the legends and history of Blackbeard.

Pack 252 Bear Harlan Bartolini with support from his dad (yellow shirt) and personalized instruction from archery instructor Ed Ryan is successful on the archery range. Harlan who recently earned the Disability Belt Loop is able to participate in most all the activities and the more challenging ones are adjusted to accommodate him.

The “Scottish Caber Toss” was a very popular activity. Holding one end of the long cardboard tube, Scouts were challenged to heave it so it would land on the other end. Once they perfected the technique, they had a chance to go for distance in their toss. Pack 130 Adult leader John Woods, helped each scout do their best.

“Rapunzel’s Castle” was an opportunity to learn the specifics of knot-tying. Bear Scout Connor Faulkenberry (left) gets some help from his dad, Bear Den Leader Josh Faulkenberry on the proper technique for tying a square knot.

Competing in this cone jump was Pack 572 Webelos I Omari Johnson and dad, Carlos.

Pack 252 Assistant Cubmaster Jim Lawrence judges the race between Carter Woods (left) and Grant Richardson, both Pack 130 Webelos I Scouts.

The fun was not limited to cub scouts but included siblings. Here Rylee Woods and Troop 446 Scout Jonathan O’Brien get to prove themselves and their lung power.

This obstacle course included several challenging tests of agility and balance.

Pack 446 Tiger Den Leader Darlene McCubbin helped these scouts by pointing out the technique needed to navigate the orange cones in this “Big Foot” race.

Maureen Callaghan (left) and Pack 446 Scoutmaster Denise Sanchez made sure each scout was securely fastened in and ready for the “Big Foot” race.

Pack 130 Webelos I Jack Woodward gets ready to try his hand at the ball toss with some help from his dad, Paul Woodward, Pack 130 Committee Chair.

Pack 446 Bear Scout Ben Larsen and dad, Elliott, took turns “lassoing” this steer.

Pack 446 Tiger Cub Trevor O’Brien (center, orange shirt) kept his eye intently on the ball on this human foosball court - always a great hit with scouts.