Camp Alexander

The week before Camp Alexander, I earned my Scout rank, and I felt proud to be ready for my first major scouting trip. My family and I packed carefully for five nights in the mountains near Colorado Springs, where the days could be warm, but the nights were cold. Since the drive was about ten hours, we left two days early and stopped in Dallas and Amarillo before reaching Colorado. As we traveled, I noticed wide farms, wind turbines, and solar panels stretching across the Texas landscape. By the time we arrived, my excitement mixed with nervousness because I knew camp would challenge me in new ways.

When camp started, my dad and I registered at the office, met our troop, and found our campsite among many others. After unpacking, I chose to sleep with my friends Mikaeel and Zaid because scouts camped separately from adults. Later, we walked to the flagpoles for the flag ceremony and ate dinner with many other troops. That night, cold mountain air brushed against my face and made me grateful for the warm clothes I had packed. In that moment, I understood the Scout motto, "Be Prepared," in a real situation.

On the first full morning of camp, our troop went to the flag ceremony before breakfast. Afterward, Mikaeel and I went to First Aid and Emergency Preparedness, which we had signed up for before camp. I was glad we shared the same schedule because it made the new experience less stressful. In class, we learned how to respond to serious emergencies, including bites and injuries. Later, we went to Soaring to Eagle, where I worked on Tenderfoot, First Class, and Second-Class requirements. By the end of the day, I felt more confident because I had learned useful skills and taken another step forward in scouting.

The following day, camp felt even more challenging and exciting. I practiced identifying snake and insect bites, learned safe ways to carry an injured person, and tied knots that could be used in real situations. After dinner, I attended the Totin' Chip class, where I learned how to handle an axe and cut wood safely. Earning my chip meant I could use a pocketknife, which made me feel more trusted and responsible as a scout.

Later in the week, our classes became more exciting with several competitions. We raced while practicing different lifts and carries, and I felt proud when I won the race where I carried someone on my back. In Soaring to Eagle, we competed to tie knots quickly, and I cheered when Mikaeel won the taut-line hitch race. After dinner, I finished the three chess matches needed for the merit badge and attended Fingerprinting, where I made artwork with my own fingerprint. By the end of the day, I realized that scouting could be challenging, useful, and fun.

On the last morning of camp, our troop cleaned the restrooms after breakfast for service hours and reviewed what we had learned. Later, Mikaeel and I joined a First Aid and Emergency Preparedness activity where we found injured scoutmasters, brought them back before time ran out, and gave the correct treatment. Afterward, we packed our gear, checked the campsite for trash, and headed home. As we left, I felt proud because I had helped my troop, worked hard, and learned skills I could use beyond camp.