Camp Ripley 2003
June 6-8, 2003

On Friday June 6, Troop 449 went on an outing to Camp Ripley. The camp is located north of Little Falls and covers over 53,000 acres.  The first thing we did when we got there was to unpack our sleeping bags. Then for the rest of the night we had free time and could stay in are cool tin tents, play outside, or go to the trading post. Later at 11:30 (lights out) went to bed.

Saturday morning breakfast outside our huts

Prepared for inspection!

We woke up at 6:30am had one of the most smallest meals I’ve ever had. We went on a four-hour tour and saw many cool tanks, guns, planes, and some really cool machine guns. There was also an awesome gift shop with real stuff that was once in the army.

Saturday Morning's Equipment Display

Hey Mom, can I have one of these?!

After the tour we went back to camp.  Then we went to a big field where they let us try new things or try things we had already learned. We learned new knots, how to treat and carry people in pain, and some fun new games to play when your bored.  

There we go, as good as new!

A little spirited competition!

After the program we went back to camp and we had a choice of things to do like rock climbing, merit badge hall with a descriptions of every merit badge in the whole world, or stay back at the tin huts. Most people stayed and played in the huts and played board games or football.  About three hours later (right after dinner) we went to the main event that most people wanted to see. First, they had a funny magic guy.  Then they pulled out a Bald Eagle and people got to ask questions about it. Some awesome F16s did a fly-by from the Air Force base in Duluth.

Over 9,000 scouts and scouters attended from the region

One USAF F-16 Falcon does a low and slow pass

Then the main event came, it was the hypnotist. She called up twelve contestants and put them to sleep so she could make them do what ever she wanted them to do.  First, she made them think we where in L.A (most people thought it was pretty fake).  She made them think they were on game shows and some other stuff, too. 

Everyone enjoyed the show by the hypnotist. Was it true or was it not?!?!?!

Then the grand finale came.  It was a great fireworks display. I thought it was pretty cool. After the fireworks we found out that there were over 8,000 Boy Scouts and 1,000 staff put involved in this camp out. When it was all done,  we hade to walk a mile to get back to camp.  At least it seemed that long because it was very late. When we were woken at 5:30am (by marching Army men) we ate a quick meal, packed up, and drove away back home.

Troop 449 at Camp Ripley 2003

That's a wrap!

Submitted by:

Rickey E.
Troop 449 Historian

Submitted by:

Ricky E.
Troop Historian