We returned to New England Base Camp, formerly known as Camp Sayre, our fifth time visiting this camp. This time, we were there for the GBH Adventure Weekend. We had 5 youth and 2 adult participants on this trip. The Scouts slept in Adirondack 5, the leaders slept in tents, and we all cooked in Adirondack 6 for most of the meals. Our site was 0.6 miles from the trailer which had to be left in the parking lot; we had to make this trip several times to bring our gear in and out.
13 units had booked sites or cabins for the weekend. Some changed their plans, but most did not participate in the GBH Adventure Weekend.We were the only unit at the cracker barrel activity on Friday. At the opening ceremony, another unit served as color guard at the opening ceremony, and ours was the audience. Troop 54 and one other unit participated in the service project, clearing the trail from the Egan Center to a small pond along Harland Street.
Troop 54 took 3rd place in the Relay Race (of 3 entries). The race was run by Crew 42 of Quincy Massachusetts.
Another activity was the Chopped cooking competition; this required the use of specific ingredients, including cauliflower and smoked paprika. The Troop 54 Scouts made chicken pizza cooked over a campfire, and smoky roasted cauliflower baked in a stovetop oven. We took 1st place in this competition (of 1 entry).
The event also included a campfire in the Amphitheater. Two of our Scouts set up the big fire lay for this. Our Scouts performed a song. The campfire was organized and led by Crew 42.
The religious service on Sunday included the district chaplain, a visiting pastor and a bagpipes performance.
Page updated 12/1/25
J. Froimson
