August 2000, our Varsity Scouts did a 50+ miler Canoe trip. We ran the trip with merit badge time each day and over 20 merit badges to earn. We arrived on an island not far from the put in on Saturday evening and Stayed over on this cool spot for our Sabbath. During part of the day we broke up into merit badge classes, which we held half in the water, as it was getting rather warm. During the hour I blew the whistle and called for “buddy-check” and to my dismay one boy was missing. Someone had seen him wandering off along the river edge to take a leak and his buddy had failed to tail him. Normally that wouldn’t be a deal but this fella was less coordinated and woods savvy than most and so I launched an island wide grid search.

It would be a good lesson anyway for all, but as the search wore on I began to be quite concerned.. Jordon and I were in a canoe circumnavigating the island while the land searchers covered the rest. We came upon a fellow canoeist who recounted seeing the lone Scout struggling to get up the riverbank near a sweeper. They had offered to help but he had waved them on. Now I was just sick as the sweeper could easily capture a body and hold it under near this bank and Jordon and I commenced a closer inspection with grim moods. As we approached the swifter current, a 4-part whistle blew and I knew the missing boy had been found. You can’t imagine my relief, and my thanks to God. Perhaps you could also imagine my lecture to those who though neglect and flippancy for our float plan had not extended the arm of protection when it was needed.

Josh and I had purchased scarves for each of the boys. He had a good idea about memory rocks and the like and had each of the boys write their name and the name of their patrol on the scarves as a keepsake. They also came in real handy as the strong sun beat down on our heads. He also had bough several water soakers for the inevitable water fights. He always had a good idea in the fun department!

We had a few adults along this trip who were generally not used to having any restrictions and had some trouble conforming to the safety afloat plan. Generally things went smooth though and each evening different folks from the quorums put on excellent spirit filled campfires. One night one of the boys, I think Ben Sypher, accidentally walked barefoot on hot coals that had been kicked into the sand and got very nasty painful burns. The rest of the youth got to witness the Lords blessing as he was healed on the spot by the laying on of hands.

The men kept getting carried away with all the splashing and once after barely avoiding a sweeper/snag because the canoeists were too close together to negotiate/maneuver. Having seen canoes get ripped out from under folks, wrapped around treads and almost losing my wife in a sweeper, I pulled off and pleaded with paddlers to give some space and pay attention. A bit later that day we went on and saw a narrow channel. It looked fun. Jordon and I led the way. It meandered a bit and then a stump presented and we clumsily negotiated it with me jumping out in the shallower section to help.

The other canoes were not so fortunate as the followed each other so closely that Kurt and Danny got bunched and then banged up by Kyle’s canoe and flipped as a logjam of canoes followed. Josh took on a lot of water but managed to blast on through. We help and pulled the soggy boys out. I spoke sternly about spacing to all again, but I don’t think it was too well received. In retrospect, I think it was my fault, as I had not really emphasized the importance and methods of the back paddle.

We traveled against strong winds until we came to a grand lagoon on the left. I whooped and hollered at its arrival, but several didn’t think so highly of the spot. We sent a couple of canoes to reconnoiter the other side of the river and found a far superior spot. It had a massive downed tree across a warm lagoon and a perfect sandy beach with few bugs! Dan made an outstanding dinner with wild rise. We loved the place so much we stayed two days. The next morning we we had a grat morning kicked off by a devotional from Dan Davis. We taught many merit badges; for my part I taught Pioneering, Electricity and Atomic Energy.

On the last day before our Saturday pullout, Josh wanted to have some time alone with his boy without all the encumbrances of the group thing and so we and Tanner left to paddle the river alone for the afternoon. Along the way, that day, we got into a major water fight. I had had to rebuke a few adults on more than one occasion along this trip for not following the safety afloat plan so with all my barking during the week, Jordon and I became a universal target for most of the troop.

Jordon was so good at paddling & I at aim that we zoomed in and out and blasted away. We took on a lot of water but dished it out and had a great time. That was a good relief on several levels.

One day, at lunchtime near Korisburge, the river widened and some of the adults suggested a cross-river swim. With the aid of a couple chase canoes, about 12 of the boys attempted the crossing. I had to turn back a few right away who where flaying with poor technique. There were a few spots when the boys began to get spread out and they began to tire and I was wishing for a few extra chase boats. Some made the crossing easy, but all made it bravely as this was big water moving swiftly. I look back at that as a mistake in judgment for allowing it as we got pretty spread out. Thank the Lord Again.

We all met up with Josh a few hours later and had smooth sailing the rest of the evening. Branden, Ben, Tanner put on a fun and spirit fill evening. The Ooga booga Gods ignited the fire and the skits were great. We did a baseball-pitching skit where a spitball showers the crowd. After a munchy break, the Priests led us in a great testimony meeting. Jordon later spoke his testimony & heart to me, Zach & Danny Green. We slept under peaceful skies.

Ken Blake Kinghorn

Rick Ryan Foutch

Steve, Jordon Marquis

Glen, Jordan Sypher

Dan, Kirt Davis

Kyle Andrew

Josh Smart

Russ McNay

Branden ?

Tanner Smart

Ben Sypher

Arund Fuller

David ?

Mark Howard

Daniel

Payson Westergren,

Gran Grismore

Zach Barns