The Boy Scouts of Troop 1, Southern Pines, just returned from another six-day camp, their 10th straight year, at the fourth largest Scout camp in the Southeast -- located in our own backyard of Moore County.

Occoneechee Reservation is between West End and Robbins and contains about 2,500 acres, along with big lakes, tall oaks, and the largest tent spiders you'll ever see."

The boys enjoyed sailing, climbing, rappelling, archery, and staying up late as well as the usual camp high jinks: running shorts up the flag pole, an unsanctioned water balloon toss, and tying Scouts to various objects with fishing line while they slept. The troop all earned a religion patch and a participation ribbon along with a camp T-shirt.

They tried to defend their title of "Troop of the Week" from the previous year, but their entry in the raft race fell apart half way to the finish line. That and all the litter from popped water balloons at the mandatory daily camp inspection did them in.

"However, they earned Scout merit badges with very few partials (Scout slang for not finished) and came away exhausted, with happy memories of another successful long-term camping experience," says David Cummings, one of the Scout leaders.

"I especially want to thank Friends of Scouting, a philanthropic Scout organization, and our local Wal-Mart Super Center along with their associates," he says. "Our local Wal-Mart has been helping the community in many ways, but especially in making the last five years of camping possible for all our boys. Both of these organizations contributed greatly to the boys' expenses, helping make it a very affordable summer treat."