Three Scout troops gathered at Camp Raymond on May 9, 2026, to complete service projects under the direction of Camp Director John McLellan and Ranger Ramon. After a full morning of hard work, the Scouts and their leaders had certainly earned a hearty meal—and that’s where the Scouting Alumni stepped in.
Under the leadership of Chief Chef Larry Gingrich, a group of Scouting Alumni, joined by Scouters attending a Wood Badge Alumni reunion organized by Dr. Mike Fredrick, prepared and served a generous, well-earned lunch for the crew. The menu featured hot dogs, baked beans, chips, fruit snacks, cookies, and plenty of Gatorade to keep everyone fueled and hydrated.
Roughly 70 Scouts and Scouters moved through the serving line before settling in for a well-deserved break. As the meal wrapped up, the energy at the tables turned playful when Scouts began a rhythmic table tapping. One Alumni member attempted to teach them a traditional summer camp cheer he had learned years ago in Wisconsin, but the group quickly discovered it was more challenging than expected.
Alumni Chair Dan Drake took the opportunity to speak briefly with the Scouts, reminding them of the shared legacy behind the meal they had just enjoyed.
“There is no reason for Scouts to leave Scouting when they earn their Eagle or age out,” Drake said. “There is still plenty of work to be done—just like the service projects they’re working on now. Staying involved means helping the next generation of Scouts and continuing lifelong friendships.”
Following the event, Camp Director McLellan shared that feedback from both Scouts and Scouters was overwhelmingly positive. Ranger Ramon also noted improved productivity from the crews, crediting the Alumni’s timing in providing lunch directly on-site, allowing Scouts to stay focused on their service work without interruption for meal preparation or cleanup.
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