April’s campout took Troop 410 deep into the Texas Hill Country for a special Bushcraft Campout along the Pedernales River. The theme this month was all about surviving with minimal gear, and the Scouts got to put their skills to the test. We added a new twist to the usual bushcraft challenges—learning how to clean and prepare fish!

While at camp, Scouts worked on clearing wood, doing some geology research, and learning real outdoor survival techniques including how to build a shelter and purify water. One of the most memorable activities was fish scaling, which was a first for a lot of us. It was messy, but fun, and a great new skill to learn.

We helped clear out some plants and brush as part of taking care of the land. And of course, the campfire stories made the night even more fun, with laughs and memories shared around the fire. We even celebrated a birthday at the campout – bushcraft style with cake!

Troop Meetings – Shelters, Safety, and Cooking Skills

The Troop meetings in April were full of hands-on learning and preparation. Early in the month, we had Patrol breakouts for meal planning, and then Troop 2019 visited to show us how to build survival shelters. Ollie also gave a great talk about the hazards of bushcraft camping, helping everyone understand how to stay safe when working with sharp tools or dealing with the elements. We even had a shelter building competition where Scouts had to create a structure using just a tarp and paracord—and they got pretty creative!

After the campout, we started prepping for May’s trip to the Narrows. Jack gave a recap of the Bushcraft campout, and Mr. Minor talked about what to expect next time. Scoutmaster Polega led a session on Swim Safety, which we followed up with a fun Swim Safety game. In our final meeting of the month, Ollie gave a presentation on Dutch Oven cooking, and Gus taught us about the geology of the Narrows, so we’ll know what to look out for on our next adventure. We wrapped up with Swim Safety Game – Part 2, which made sure everyone is ready for water activities.