Camporee message from Paul Oliver

To all attending Camporee,

As you all know, we had quite an unusual Camporee this year.  The wind roared and came through camp like a locomotive, but that wasn't the problem.  Most all Units left Saturday evening at our urging.  The people who run the park double-booked us with another event.  We were told this at the 11th hour, and they assured us the running event would not impact or affect our Camporee. 

As you saw, we had about 400 runners going right through the center of our campground.  As much of an inconvenience as that was, we dealt with it and went through our evening and campfires.  Those runners were a nuisance, but the 3,000 to 4,000 runners that would be coming through Sunday morning would be a large logistical problem.  Based on the information we received that night, we urged all units to leave Saturday evening after campfire or by 7:00 am Sunday morning.  Having 600 campers leaving on Sunday morning along with a wall of runners bisecting our camp and moving up the road convinced us to make that decision.  The number one concern of the Camporee committee was the safety of our Scouts and parents.

There have been rumors and gossip flying around that we were forced to leave by different authorities.  They are just that - rumors and gossip.  I was in the center of all that went on, and we were at no time pressured to leave by anyone.  That is not rumor or gossip - it's straight from the horse's mouth.

I must say I am extremely proud of all our leaders and Scouts.  All unit leaders were informed and moved their Scouts and parents calmly, orderly and with great efficiency.  When we left Sunday morning after everyone was gone, we swept the area and proudly found no trash.  No one would even have known we were there.  Everyone practiced "Leave no Trace"!  I would like to recognize a unit who went over and above and demonstrated great Scout spirit.  After Pack 441 had packed up all their campsite, instead of leaving, several Cub Scouts and leaders came over to Snackoree and packed it up and loaded it into vehicles through the howling wind.  Thank you, Pack 441!

The park director was informed of what happened, along with Castaic City Council members.  We will be meeting with them and park officials to go over all the events and what can be done about it.  We will keep you informed.  We apologize for all the confusion and difficulties, but these were circumstances out of our control.  I would like to thank all unit leaders, parents and Camporee staff for all the time, energy and effort you have given to your Scouts this Camporee weekend.  Please forward this to all in your packs or troops who went to Camporee.

Paul Oliver
Chairman
Balboa Oaks District