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International Camporee
By: Tom Ritz
The International Camporee 2005 was held on
the weekend of May 20, 2005. It was sunny,
hot, in a foreign land, and a whole lot of fun.
Troop 51 of the Mission District, along with
many other American Boy Scout Troops, some
from as far away as Chino Hills, traveled down
to Canada Del Sol Ranchero near Tecate
Mexico as guests of the Scouts de Mexico.
We arrived on site and were directed to an
open field that soon was intermixed with
different scout organizations from both
countries. At opening ceremonies it was a
thrill to see 900+ Scouts and Scouters
assembled under the International Scout
Symbol.
The Camporee activities ranged from
physically demanding rope bridges, zip lines,
tug of wars, to the educational and practical
events such as making air dried jerky, origami,
compass work plus a variety of other fun filled
events. All were competing over the small
Camporee pin. Some of the toughest
competitors were the smaller Mexican girls.
They are driven to win and fear nothing. For
the last night a Mexican fiesta was held and
what a great night it was. There were all
types of games from bingo to darts, and to
the surprise of some Scouts, mock marriages.
I met one lucky American Scout with a bright
red ribbon on his neck and a mile from ear to
ear, gush to me ?I just go married?.
My personal favorite had to be when the
different countries had a battle of Scout
songs. (TROOP 51 WAS THE LEADERS!!!!)
Imagine a court yard with two large picnic
tables whose tops are covered with boys and
girls facing one another, and each table trying
to outdo the other with a tune in their
native tongue. Surrounding the tables and
groups are scores of Scout and Scouters
trying to get a view, all smiling and laughing at
the spectral. This went on for hours. What a
party!
Our hosts were always polite, friendly,
and gracious. A special memory for me is
seeing a teenage Mexican Scout cutting her
patch off her uniform, not for trading but to
give in friendship. Many a Scout left that
weekend with a newly traded scarf or new
belt along with a special Scout experience. If
you want to do something that is truly an
exceptional scouting event, try the next
International Camporee. It?s out of this
world, and really close to home.