Troop 21 Highlights

Every year, the Fremont District holds its Freezeree. This is a camporee / competition event held in the snow, with emphasis on outdoor winter camping and survival skills. Troop 21 spent the month of January in preparation for this event. Meeting topics included proper winter gear, dressing in layers, survival shelters, and winter camping tips. Two weeks prior to the event, the troop held a one day workshop at the Swampy Lakes Snow Park so the boys could learn how to build a proper igloo and snow shelter. One week prior, the troop went up to the event site and spent an entire day building the shelters that they would later sleep in during the Freezeree.

The Freezeree was a great success, with many troop sharing in the awards. The guys from Troop 21 took a First Place in the Snowshoe Knot Relay, and took a Second Place in the Log Pull. The Troop also got high marks for its campsite. We also want to thank the Webelos from Pack 69 that came up to visit us for the day.

	Friday night hors d'oevres. Hey, if you'e going to freeze, you might as well eat right.
	Chef Doug (ASM), Chef Jerry (Committee Chair), and Chef Ray (SM) prepare a fine meal at the adult dining tent 'Chez Brasse Monquee'. There were 15 adults in attendance for the Freezeree.
	The patrol gear and dining area.
	'Roughing it' in the Davis' elk tent (with wood stove).....
	'.... which is where we could find Mike Davis (Eagle / JASM) and Bryan Hartke (Eagle / JASM) most of the time.
	The weather Saturday morning was beautiful as the sun rose over the Troop 21 camp area. Completed snow shelter in front with igloo in the background.
	Jerry Rood's (ASM) igloo. Matt Bowe (1st Class) and Rick Rogers (TF) snow shelter in the background.
	The Taj MahBrown. Complete with 'park bench' out front.
	Igloos are actually very warm. The trick is to shelter the entry and to make sure it is lower than the sleeping level. This acts as a heat trap. Your own body heat and a simple candle lantern will usually keep the inside at a toasty 35-40 degrees.
	The troops gather for the opening ceremonies.
	The igloo building competition. By this time, the guys are old hands at this.
	Nathan Oliver quarries snow blocks for the igloo.
	And did we mention food? Last year Troop 21 was somewhat 'ridiculed' by the hard-liners (we prefer to think of it as admiration for our initiative) in having a rather extravagant snow camp. So this year we figured why not go all out and humor the old boys? The adult cooking area, setup to support 15 hungry mouths.
	Did we mention food? Saturday appetizers included shrimp, clams, smoked salmon, peppers, cheeses, crackers, elk sausage, and Russian caviar (no kidding).
	Sparkling cider must be chilled properly before serving.
	Did we mention food? A dutch oven full of yams, with apples, walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Oh yah - this went with the barbecued 22 lb 'Hanford Hummingbird' (turkey to those of you from outside the Pacific NW), the dutch oven full of airline industry chickens (game hens to the uninitiated), dutch oven dressing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. And don't forget the dutch oven baked pumpkin pie. It is a well known fact that no one from Troop 21 has ever starved on an outing.
	Despite temperatures in the teens and 20's, the whole crew settles down to a gourmet meal at Chez Brasse Monquee. (Lesson #32 - always invite a District Commissioner to dinner).

	2001 Freezeree
	Lower Three Creeks Snow Park