Father/Son Canoe Trip
Elk River, MO, May '99

Working feverishly, the group had 10 Scout tents, two Dud tents, and a nice new dining fly setup by 6:45 PM. Randy Coleman’s kitchen was up and running about the same time.

A mantel shortage and massive hunger made a trip to town necessary. The group was able to find one mantel in the big city of Noel, MO. However the hunger pangs went away shortly as the group visited a great local pizza parlor. Pizza and numerous video games later the group was back in camp awaiting the arrival of the main group of scouters.

David M. and Brent W. protected the group from invasion with a couple of monster water guns. Dennis Grimes and Andrew G. arrived shortly, adding more water gun firepower to the group. Main group arrivals included: Scouts Chris R., Steven E., Michael W.,  Chris M., Anthony R., Brent B., Phillip W. and adults Jerry Coleman (Assistant Scoutmaster-Venture), Ken Rogers, Ken Elliott (Chaplain), David Wood (Community Service Director), David Mingus, Russ Milburn, Tom Weirich (Outdoor Program Director) .

Saturday ‘s weather looked promising and after a wonderful Dutch oven breakfast, it was off and running for a trip down the Elk River. The Elliotts get the first in the water award. Never heard exactly what happened but I know they made it all of about 50 yards before the 'man overboard' yell went out. Where was Jerry Coleman, I wonder? Was the water cold at 0930 in the morning?

The morning was wonderful, partly cloudy skies kept the temperatures down to nice levels. Wind was light most of the day and we saw two snakes, one muskrat and had several water fights. What more can you ask for? How about Buck C. & Michael C. waiting around a corner to swamp unsuspecting canoes?

Everyone took a break avoiding the ambush; most everyone got wet somehow, either by swamping or massive water gun barrages.

Randy Coleman had previously parked his truck at the mid-river point and was first to the pit stop.

Randy had hot dogs, chips, and lots of Kool-Aid and cookies waiting for the main body of Scouts and Scouters. Everyone refueled, boys swam for about 45 minutes and it was off again to finish the river.

Crew changes occurred shortly. Scouts got brave and wanted to ditch their dads. David M. and Brent W. took off in one canoe. Steven E. and Michael W. also swapped with their dads. You should have seen Chris R. trying to swamp these two canoes. Couldn’t quite catch them. However, he did manage to drench them with what has to be the largest water cannon I have ever seen.

Everyone pulled in to High-water Canoe base about 2:00 PM. All in one piece I might add.

After a bus ride back to Gracie’s Canoe base, it was time to have a great Steak Dinner, complete with David Wood's green bean casserole, baked potatoes, and of course, Dutch oven cobbler.

What a nice evening! Scouts Brent W., Brent B., and David M. worked hard cutting firewood for a Saturday night bonfire. War Stories followed. Some (myeself included) went to bed about 11:00 PM and others visited long into the night.

Sunday broke clear, sunny, and humid. Camp broke early and the main group was on the road home by 10:30 am. Lunch at the 'world’s largest' McDonalds on the Turnpike and we were back at the church by about 2:30 PM.