The Scouts of Boy Scout Troop #501 had a blast at the annual John G Smerek Scout Orienteering Festival at Beaumont Scout Reservation on Saturday, March 23. It was a gorgeous morning, sunny, warm, mostly dry and perfect in every way. Who could believe that in less than 24 hours we would have blizzard conditions? The boys started out with their maps, studied them, and the placement of the controls and their values, and charted a course. This was a “Score-O” event, in which the object was to locate as many controls with varying point values scattered throughout the reservation, correctly punch their card, and make it back to the finish line within 1 hour. After accumulating 170 points, the boys were 600 meters away from the finish line… only 2 minutes and 40 seconds remained of the hour… Time was ticking, and the penalty – 10 points for each minute late – was drastic! Steven backtracked, met Avery for the control card, and ran for the finish line… There were still a few obstacles – A rocky road, an open field, a campsite with boys breaking camp, and then getting around the lodge, with lots of people, to make it to the finish line. As the remaining boys continued to make their way to the finish line, Steven met them, walking back. Only one question was on their lips… “Did you make it?!?!” “Yes,” came the answer, “with 58 seconds to spare!”
Great job, boys!
