Omaha, Nebraska
July 19-21, 2002

Photos at bottom of page

More than forty Scouts and Scouters spent the weekend having fun in the sun. The 115 degree heat index Omaha sun. Actual high temperatures were in the mid 100's for the weekend but no one complained given all the activities. Mr. Davenport was a continuing source of strength for us. Whenever the heat seemed to be peaking he showed up with a trailer full of water, soda, lemonade and food.

Six Scouts and three Scouters headed up a day early to watch fireworks at Rosenblatt Stadium and then camped in the left field grass. They arose at dawn to grab breakfast and await the rest of the Troop at the Henry Doorly Zoo.

Dawn came early for Spencer, Brian and Cody. 1000 Scouts were up playing Soccer, baseball & football on the Royals' field when the lights went out at 1 am. After the Scouts returned to their innumerable tents, we were short 66% of our five first year Scouts. After an hour of searching, Spencer's Dad had the Royals announce, "There are three missing scouts from Troop 376. Would Spencer, Brian and Cody please return to their camp sites." After the first five words over the intercom, the three boys were sprinting towards their camp knowing there would be repercussions. It seems they had found two "cute" girls who were camping with their brother's Cub Scout Pack. They were playing "checkers" and "time got away from them". Chad Elliott volunteered to keep them out of trouble at the Zoo on Sunday.

The Zoo was without major event. While Mr. Grace was counting the variety of species, Scouts visited the Desert Dome, the Cat Complex, the Aquarium and Primate Valley. It was hard not to leave them at Primate Valley. The silver-backed gorilla and the goldfish pond were two Scout favorites. After lunch was delivered by Dick and an IMAX show was watched, we tail gaited at Rosenblatt Stadium and ate the fine meal of burgers, dogs and brauts prepared by Dick Davenport and Ralph Agee. After watching the Royals' game, we made a late arrival at our campsite in Louisville State Recreation Area. The 13 Scout's tents had already been erected by the first year Scouts who had been busy after the tailgating was finished. They completed Second Class achievements by building a fire with ax and saw, cooked shish kabobs and home made ice cream, and learning to light backpacking stoves. They also found time to put up the 13 tents.

Some Scouts and Scouters chose open air camping. After a light breakfast of juice and cereal, we made an early trip to the Strategic Air Command Museum. Arriving early, the frisbees and baseballs were tossed until opening time. After looking at all of the cool bombers, we had another lunch provided by Mr. Davenport at the Eugene T. Mohoney State Park. A lot was seen in a short time.

Pretty cool		Boys try to prop up rocket after Cody knocked it over
		A VERY familiar scene... Dick Davenport cooking for Scouts and Scouters
Jeff tries to pull his bomber out of a tail spin	A little catch outside SAC	Spence, Brian & Tarik look like shark bait
Tailgaiting with Rosenblatt Stadium on one side...	... and the Desert Dome on the other.	Brian and Spencer sittin' on a missile M-I-S-S-I-L-E
	Joe prepares to land