The 1st Elora Scouts were presented the Pioneer Patty Award during the ManTracker 2014 event with the Wellington and Mississauga Area Scout district.
The Pioneer Patty award is presented to a group of first/second year scouts that achieve a high level of competence when camping independently as a team, or in Scout terminology, “on Patrol.”
The Elora troop was required to hike two kilometres into Camp Good Year, near Orangeville, select a camp site and perform all duties associated with safe camping. All their cooking was done using a fire/Coleman stove and lantern lighting. They also had to do camp house keeping, set up their tent, make their own meals and lay out the area with weather coverage without any assistance from troop leaders.
They also scored high marks in:
– using a topographical map and compass to navigate a designated course without being caught by trail spotters;
– building a tower able to support two troop members safely three feet off the ground using knot-tying skills and cedar poles;
– building a no-trace (Dakota) fire using materials in their emergency kit and small kindling found at hand, containing two shallow holes with an air passage between; and
– crafting a leather item of their choice and design or assembling a parachute cord bracelet
Following guidelines was required and tasks had to be completed as a patrol. The scouts showed a high level of competence, leaders note.
Submitted by Andy MacDonald
