Eleven Boy Scout Troops participated in the annual Pellissippi District Fall Camporee. The 2005 Theme was "River Rafting Adventure." Each Troop was encouraged to build a raft from whatever materials they choose. The test of their success was a ride down the Clinch River from the Weir Dam (about a mile down stream from Norris Dam) to the Peach Orchard river access point (a distance of about 7.5 miles). There was no race element, so no one was encouraged to hurry. However, boys being boys, some just couldn't help rushing. Of the 13 rafts entered (some troops entered more than one raft), all safely finished the float.

Understanding the hazards associated with the Clinch River, Pellissippi District Camping Chairman Keith Gaines called on all the support he could muster. We were all pleased to see river rescue teams from Anderson and Knox Counties as well as boats from Tennessee Wild Life Resources Agency on hand. TVA also contributed by operating both generators in Norris Dam. This would insure sufficient water to safely float all the rafts and allow the river rescue teams deep and safe water should a rescue be necessary. TVA also allowed the District to use fields adjacent the weir dam for final assembly of the rafts. These fields also provided a place for the final safety meeting just before raft launch time. To insure all the resources that may be needed were available, we notified Anderson County Ambulance Service and Life Star air rescue of our activities. They agreed to be on stand-by for us.

Saturday morning found about 110 boys in the primitive camping area of Norris Dam State Park. They quickly prepared their breakfast and cleaned up dishes so they could attend the Camporee Flag Ceremony and put the finishing touches on their rafts. The final work would be done in the field near the parking lot adjacent the weir dam. Think about the possible list of materials for a raft. Everything you can think of plus others were there! Did you think of about 100 pounds of dried kudzu rolled into a large donut and held together with canvas? Did you think about 25 coolers held together with wire ties? Or how about 200 two liter bottles held together with duct tape with 1/2 inch plywood for a deck? Rafts took on the appearances of almost everything imaginable from a vintage model car to things Fred Flintstone & Barney Rubble would be proud of. There is no shortage of imagination among our youth!

All of the above and more stood ready to launch at 1:00 PM when the alarm sounded, signaling that the second generator was coming on line. In addition to the rescue services provided by local agencies, each raft had at least one canoe or boat manned by adults to shadow them, just in case. As each raft moved down the walkway preparing to launch, each crew had the opportunity to watch the rafts & canoes just ahead of them negotiate the first few treacherous feet. The hard part was getting from the eddy formed by the launch area into the fast moving water. The natural tendency was for the water to spin the raft out of control and bump it along the left bank of the river just down stream of the launch. In most cases, nature took its course, but didn't seem to damage any of the rafts and certainly not the spirit of the participants.

We had been cautioned to get away from the banks of the river as quickly as possible. It is along the shore, where the steep, muddy banks and over hanging trees not only make it nearly imposable to stay on a craft, but they make rescue both difficult and dangerous! All rafts made it safely to the middle of the river. Once there it was really a pleasant trip down river. With just a little direction and paddling effort we could avoid all hazards. As we passed various landmarks like the River Road access point and Massengill Bridge, District Staff took counts not just of crafts, but personnel on board. At every check point every raft and boy was accounted for.

As we approached the Peach Orchard river access point, the rescue staff notified us to move our rafts and escorts to the left (descending bank) in preparation for landing and take out. All the crafts complied and were able to safely land and take out. Some of the rafts were able to be lifted out of the river by their crews (e.g. the cooler and the two liter bottle crafts) Others had to be disassembled before the could be carried to waiting trucks & trailers. Though hours had gone into assembly of rafts, in most cases disassembly and removal took surprising little time. Its nice as a plan comes together, is successfully completed and clean up only takes minutes!!

After the rafts were safely loaded into trucks or trailers, several troops took advantage of Troop 129's generosity as they offered to carry us back to Norris Dam State Park in their bus. That sure saved a lot of time and traffic, shuttling vehicles from the launch point to the take out. Thank you Troop 129 of Oak Ridge!

The rest of the afternoon was spent working on troop, patrol and individual projects. For most troops, one of those projects was the preparation of a Dutch oven desert to go with our Huck Finn Feast. Each troop had contributed enough brisket of beef to feed themselves. All the meat was pooled and smoked all day by volunteers who included Jeff Sipes, Phil Ricks, Mike & Kathy Cramer, Bobby & Gwen Justice, their families and assorted (though equally skilled) other helpers. The District, through the Camporee Registration fee, provided corn on the cob, baked beans and baked potatoes. It was indeed a feast! There are some really great Dutch oven cooks among our youth too!

No Boy Scout Camporee would be complete without the traditional campfire. Our evening included just such a campfire, complete with skits and awards. Each raft and crew was awarded a pennant acknowledging one or more of the unique qualities of the raft or crew. Each Troop was awarded a banner to go on their Troop Flag recognizing their participation in the camporee. Then it was back to the troop campsites where it didn't take much encouraging to enforce the 10:00 PM quiet time required by the State Park nor the 11:00 PM lights out required by the Camporee.

Following the Sunday morning flag ceremony and prayer service, the troops gradually checked out of the camporee. By early Sunday afternoon most the boys were safely back in the care of their parents. The boys had built a raft and challenged the cold waters of the Clinch River. They had made new friends and succeeded in everything they tried and they had camped two nights in beautiful Norris Dam State Park. As one of the adults commented as we lounged in canoes and on rafts in the river Saturday afternoon "It just don't get no better than this!"

The Pellissippi District of the Boy Scouts of America wants to take this opportunity to thank all the people and agencies who worked so hard to make the Fall Camporee 2005 a weekend to remember. Our boys have each grown a little in the correct direction because of your selfless contributions! You just can't find a better way to invest your time & talents than in the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow. THANK YOU!