Christmas in the Woods

Boy Scout Troop #1294 held its annual Christmas in the Woods camping trip this past weekend. The scouts invited their families and local 5th grade Webelo Cub Scouts to join them.

Webelos are required to check out different Boy Scout troops before choosing which troop they want to join. This annual event provides the Webelos an inside look at Boy Scouting.

Christmas in the Woods was held at Poe Farms in Dallas, Georgia. The Boy Scouts arrived on Friday night to set up their camp. Many of the scouts decorated their tents with battery operated Christmas lights.  

The Webelos and their families arrived on Saturday morning. There was an obstacle course set up by the Scouts which the boys enjoyed. They decorated Christmas trees with edible ornaments for the local wildlife. The boys used compasses to complete an orienteering activity.  

One of the highlights of the weekend was the Christmas feast. The leaders woke up early on Saturday to start smoking the turkey, beef, and pork. The scouts prepared many dishes in dutch ovens which cooked over hot coals. Many of the family members who were not camping with the scouts arrived in time for dinner on Saturday night. 

Following the feast, the scouts held a Flag Retirement Ceremony. Representatives from a local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, dressed in period costumes, were on hand to assist with the ceremony.

According to the U.S. Flag Code, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

The Boy Scout patrols performed skits around the camp fire after the flags were properly retired. Then the scouts returned to their decorated tents for the night. The Webelo scouts camped overnight on Saturday, too. The cold temperature that night earned them the Polar Bear Award, which can be earned by camping in below 32 degree temperatures.