We left the church at 6:00 and arrived at the Top O' Ledges campsite in Cleveland Metroparks Hinckley Reservation at 6:30. When we got there we started unpacking our personal gear and setting up our tents. After we were done setting up are our tents, we went to the pavilion across the parking lot and started setting up the troop gear and gather firewood. We were then told that there was also going to be an auction before the competition with stuff like knifes and mystery ingredients, and we had to earn the points by answering questions on a scavenger hunt. Then we started building a fire and it took longer than it should of had to start it. We then sat around the fire eating snack and during snack we had some raccoons get in to some of our food. After we chased the raccoons away we got ready for bed and went to sleep.

We woke up and got ready for the day and we had to go to plan B for breakfast because it rained all night so in the morning we didn't have any dry wood to cook breakfast. Plan B was to combine all of our breakfasts to make one breakfast and cook it on the propane stove. We pancakes with apples and oatmeal inside them, fruit salad, bacon, and scrambled eggs. After breakfast we started cleaning and the people that weren't cleaning were gathering wood for the iron Chef competition and some of the older scouts were cutting wood for the fire. Then we got ready for the five mile hike and we went on the hike, Raymond Boblick and his dad stayed back to cut wood. Half way through the hike we stopped at a pavilion outside a cabin to eat lunch. After we finished eating lunch we started back on our hike again. We got back to camp around 3:00. when we got back, we started building fires to cook our food. At round 4:45 we started our auction and they auctioned off knifes, two mystery ingredients, one extra judges point, and a five minute head start. When the competition started at 5:00 we had one hour until we could start serving the judges and then 30 minutes to serve the judges, the judges were Mr. Makowski and Mr. Karpowicz. After all five patrol served the judges, the winner of the iron chef competition was the We Will Win patrol. After the competition was over we started cleaning and burning the leftover wood in the pavilion. Then the older scouts started cutting up two American flags for the retirement ceremony that night. After we were done cleaning the dishes we sat around the fire until the retirement ceremony. before the ceremony we invited the troop that was camping next to us if they wanted to join us in the flag retirement ceremony. We then had Erich Sontag lead us in the flag ceremony with the other troop. After the ceremony we sat around the fire until 10:30, then we got ready for bed and we went to sleep at 11:00.

We woke up and started packing up our personal gear and took down our tents and also helped the new scouts take down there tents. Then we policed the area where we were sleeping. We then went to the pavilion and packed up the gear and made a pile of gear that needed to be packed up when the last car got there, then policed the area around the pavilion. Then We had breakfast and waited for the last car to get there. When they got there we got the gear into their car and got in to the cars we came in and went back to the church. When we got back we unpacked the gear and grabbed our tents or tarps to take home and clean and left.

Adult Leader Perspective

Heavy thunderstorms during the week and spotty rain all weekend made adaptability really necessary for this camping trip to be a success and, of course, the members of Troop 810 made an incredible weekend happen. Friday night started out with the scouts collecting firewood, had a fire building lesson, followed by each patrol making delicious snacks over the glowing coals from the fire. Saturday morning rains caused a change in the plans for breakfast over the fire. Instead, every patrol contributed their breakfast food so that the cooking merit badge group could compile a hearty breakfast of apple & oatmeal pancakes, boil-in-a-bag scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit salad, and milk for everyone to enjoy. After some more collecting of firewood and work on advancements, the group took an adventurous and rain-filled hike to Worden's Ledges. While on the hike the groups worked on tracking down scavenger hunt items and stopped for a trail lunch at the Brooklyn Exchange Cabin. Unfortunately, we also witnessed the destruction from the floodwaters showing once again how we all have to respect the power of Mother Nature. The weather cleared just in time for the highlight of the weekend to take place. Saturday's dinner brought us the first ever Troop 810 Cast Iron Chef cooking contest. After bidding against each other in an auction for mystery supplies and ingredients each of the five patrols had to build a fire, which was used to cook a three-course meal for their patrol and two judges, Mr. Karpowicz and Mr. Makowski, to enjoy. The patrols showed off their hidden cooking talents in crafting some very appetizing meals, much to the pleasure of everyone! The patrol of Nathan, Luke, David R, Alex, and Steven W, scored the win and each member received the coveted Outdoor Cooking Wooden Spoon trophy! Great meals and good times were also had by Kyle, John, Ian, Erich, Trevor, Steven Z., Andrew, David H., Dylan, Raymond, Connor, Ben, Patyrk, and Sean. The adult patrol of Mr. Nenadovich, Mr. Boblick, Mr. Bazan, Mr. Sonntag, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Finn joined in the cooking contest and learned as much about campfire cooking as the scouts.

Hinckley, Cast Iron Chef Photo Album

Trip Plan for Hinckley, Cast Iron Chef

Date and Time of Departure: Friday, May 16th, 6:00pm - Old Church, leave when ready.

Purpose: To hone our camp cooking skills, especially how to cook without propane stoves; work on completing requirements for the Cooking MB; work on scout skills and advancement requirements.

Cost: $25.00 per scout (permission slip and fee due at meeting on May 6th)

Location: Cleveland Metroparks Hinckley Reservation, Top O'Ledges Picnic Area

Directions:

1. Start out going SOUTH on BROADVIEW RD/OH-176
2. Turn RIGHT onto W Streetsboro Rd/OH 303
3. Turn LEFT onto State Rd
4. Turn LEFT onto Bellus Rd
5. Top O'Ledges Picnic Area will be on the RIGHT (South) side of road just after the Stables.

Estimated Time of Return: Sunday, May 18th, around 9:30am - Behind Old Church

Items to Bring:

• Scout Outdoor Essentials (see handbook)
• Camping Gear and Extra Clothing (see handbook)
• Healthy Appetite