|
Alongside
the gravel road leading into Sid Richardson Scout Ranch we observed
a sign that warned: Caution – Watch for Deer, Cattle, and Scouts.
This sign more or less set the tone for our visit, as we saw plenty
of all three and other wildlife, including sidewinders, centipedes,
and more grasshoppers than you can imagine.
Sid Richardson Scout Ranch is home to a conventional summer camp,
run by the Longhorn Council, and the unconventional Chisholm Trail
Adventure, which can be experienced by members of Troops attending
SR2 or any of the other Council's camps, or Troops, Crews, and Posts
may come to SR2 solely for the high-adventure program.
The high-energy Chisholm Trail Adventure is designed and directed
by Jeff Peters, an old friend of Scout Camps USA and the Council's
Program Director. The trek includes five land outposts and five
water outposts, with an optional sixth unmanned land outpost where
groups may do their own program. Groups begin their journey on the
pontoon boats assigned to them for the entire week, putting into
a different landing each evening for a land outpost adventure that
stretches into the middle of the next day, after which they enjoy
a watersports outpost.
Upon our arrival, Jeff met us at the former Ranger's House and promptly
immersed us in the spirit and energy of the Chisholm Trail Adventure.
We visited some of the outposts several times, so, rather than give
you a chronologically correct summary of our trip, we'll, instead,
describe each of the outposts we visited and the activities we enjoyed.
At the 1872 U.S. Cavalry Outpost, Scouts are met by Cavalry NCOs,
outfitted in historically correct uniforms, and promptly "inducted"
into service. The Cavalry camp is atop a high hill overlooking the
main camp and lake. We were greeted Major Ed, who explained that
Scouts and Scouters are drilled in battle tactics and weaponry beginning
the moment they arrive at the encampment in anticipation of the
always "possible" Comanche attack. The Major and his men
fired their cannons for us, and the boom echoed through the hills
and the main camp. We sampled the vintage hardtack that yesteryear's,
and this year's, soldier existed on. We observed the Major's men
at work cleaning weapons under the shade of a tree, and for once
they were able to shed their Cavalry-issue wool jackets and work
in shirtsleeves. The encampment is historically correct from the
period Cavalry tents right down to the water barrels.
At the 1800 Comanche Village, adherence to history is loosened a
bit, so that participants can learn to use weapons that were not
available to the Comanche warrior in 1800, including the atl-atl
and blow dart. Groups stay in the 20 or so Comanche teepees in the
village and enjoy a dinner of roasted corn and sweet potatoes, in
addition to any group provisions supplied at the beginning of the
trek.
Dinner is quite substantial at the 1841 Texas Rangers Outpost (all-you-can-eat
beef stew and cornbread), and it's certainly a good idea to eat
all you can in case you need your energy should bandits steal the
ranch's payroll necessitating your assault on a nearby hill to rout
the outlaws.
|
 |
Captain
Bryson greeted us, fed us, and even allowed us to tag along on a morning
trail ride through the mesquite and cactus surrounding the outpost.
At this outpost, as well, participants are trained to fire period
weapons (black powder) in order to fulfill their peace-keeping mission
having been sworn in as Texas Rangers volunteers and given badges
along with good-guy white hats.
At the climbing outpost, Jeff allowed us to choose the hard way or
the easy way down the hillside to the five climbing stations. It should
be noted, that Jeff's definition of the "easy way" is never
particularly easy, and the hard way always offers an extreme challenge.
After scrambling through a narrow vertical rock passage (the easy
way), we observed a Troop climbing the sheer rock faces coached by
extremely capable, talented, and experienced staff. It was at this
outpost that we observed a brightly colored centipede making its way
along the rocks; the centipede seemed to do better than the Scouts,
but then it had the right number of feet for the job.
The mountain biking outpost lies in a valley near a field that drips
with color at sunset. Again, this is another area where staff has
been chosen specifically for their expertise and skill. Scouts enjoy
an evening with staff at this camp and can even watch mountain biking
and other extreme sports videos. Too, the first night of the trek
is spent nearby the mountain biking outpost and includes a visit for
dinner – all-you-can-eat hotdogs and hamburgers and traditional Texas
pecan pie.
The watersports outposts afford Scouts the opportunity to learn or
improve their wakeboarding, skiing, sailing, and windsurfing skills,
as well as spend free time at Captain Kidd's Escape Fun Dock, which
sports a frequently used Blob. These outposts are designed to take
Scouts off the land and put them on water during the hottest parts
of the day, saving the cooler mornings and evenings for land-based
activities. We spent a good deal of time on the water in either a
ski boat or pontoon photographing wakeboarders and sailors. The lake
has a number of wind-sheltered coves and plenty of open, uncrowded
water. The watersports staff demonstrated their outstanding wakeboarding
skills for us, performing flips and twists that left us dizzy. SR2
is located on a peninsula stretching into the lake; the protected
side of the peninsula is used for wakeboarding and skiing, while the
windy side is used for sailing and windsurfing.
When we arrived Friday evening, we had been a little road weary, but
when we left Sid Richardson and the Chisholm Trail Adventure we were
plumb tuckered out! Troops should expect some hard work during their
trek, including a fair number of fast-paced hikes up hillsides. The
hard work is worth the payoff of participation in historical reenactments
and afternoons of pure fun.
Jeff Peters and his staff work harder and longer hours than any camp
staffers we've encountered so far. Their days begin well before dawn
and stretch into the wee hours of the night. Nowhere else will you
see the old phrase "if you have time to lean, you have time to
clean" so evidently in action. Staffers have little time between
crews, and they spend that time cleaning weapons, loading powder charges,
and just generally tidying up. If their work does run out, it's a
sure bet that they'll be pressed into service in another outpost that
could use more bandits or Comanches. |
