Scout Camp Memories

Driving by the Boy Scout Camp rekindled memories of my teen years attending scout camp. I lived in Venice, California at the time and our scout camp was on Catalina Island. Camp started with a sea plane flight to the Island. The Camp Emerald Bay was located on the ocean where we were able to enjoy helmet diving, boating and fishing. We also had the opportunity to take a war canoe around the island on an overnight camping trip.

The highlight of the week’s activities was the attempted pig capture. The camp had an open garbage pit and there existed a herd of wild pigs, descendants from pigs abandoned by early Spanish settlers. The sows and piglets would come to feed at the dump at night. The scouts would surround the pit, lying down until the pigs began feeding. With a single yell, the scouts would jump up, rush at the pigs and attempt to tackle one.  

I paired up with Freddie Garcia, a member of my troop, since I did not have a flashlight. Lying on my stomach amid the scrub, a shout went out and we jumped up and dashed for the pigs. I was following the bouncing glow of Freddie’s flashlight on the moonless night when suddenly, the light went out. Not wanting to give up on my chance to capture a pig, I continued to the pit. The pigs ran for cover between the scouts’ legs and within 3 minutes, the pigs were safe and the scouts were empty handed.

In all the excitement, I had forgotten about Freddie. When things calmed down I began searching for my friend. I returned to where I had last seen his flashlight and I heard a moan. I called over another scout with a flashlight and its beam illuminated Freddie lying in a large patch of cactus.

After extricating him from natures booby-trap, a trip to the infirmary was necessary for my friend where he endured an hour of getting the needles removed.