Great Neck Boy Scout Troop 10 completed a very challenging weekend overnight camping trip at Allamuchy Scout Reservation in Stanhope, N.J.

Thirty-two Scouts and six adult leaders dealt with challenging weather conditions. In addition to being rather cold, it was also rainy for most of the afternoon. Often, it was also windy.

Despite all of that they set up canopies and tents. After lunch and a short break they took a vigorous hike around the lake and saw signs of the beginning of spring.

During the hike, some of the older scouts set up an orienteering course in a different part of the reservation, over a mile and a half in length. After the hike, using a compass and a set of instructions, the patrols were released in staggered fashion to find several orienteering markers.

The patrols met this challenge with varying success. The patrols cooked dinner on camp stoves, ate together and cleaned up. The camp provided some split wood and by the time dinner was over, the rain stopped.

The campfire was big and hot. Scouts performed skits. Two Scouts emceed a campfire program which included skits from each of the patrols. This was preceded by very zealous attempts at making s’mores with ample equipment and supplies, including big-size marshmallows.

Some might think that given the rainy, cold and windy weather on Saturday, the trip might be considered a low point on the activity calendar. Not so.

Although they endured discomfort, they felt stronger for it. Despite admonitions about the weekend weather some still were not prepared adequately.

However, nothing bad happened, lessons were learned and again, their self-confidence will grow. The feedback from the scouts was that they had a great time.

Troop 10 meets at the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department on 25 Prospect St. on Mondays at 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm on school days. If you are interested in joining Troop 10, please contact Dr. Dwight J Rosenstein at djrosenstein@gmail.com.