EDDINGTON – Boy Scout Troop 23 of Eddington recently hosted the Katahdin Area Council’s 17th annual Chill-Out at Camp Roosevelt in East Eddington. A winter campout for all ages, it provides an opportunity for a fun and safe winter camping experience for scouts from all over Maine.

Ursa Beckford, 13, of Troop 23 led the team of boys who planned the Chill-Out. Beckford said this was the troop’s first experience planning an event of this size. He had a suggestion for those planning a campout on this scale in the future: “Know what you are getting into. Always know what your job is,” he said.

Planning for the Chill-Out began last October, and more than 200 scouts and leaders attended the event.

Events included the favorite of most of the Scouts – sledding, tug-o-war through a snow bank and snowball throwing for distance and accuracy. Activities paused at noon so Scouts could prepare and eat their own meals in their campsites.

After lunch, two compass courses provided a challenging opportunity to test basic survival skills. Snow sculptures were built in the afternoon near Camp Roosevelt’s iced-over waterfront area and a campfire and nonsectarian Scouts’ Own Service ended the evening.

“Our main concern was the warmth of the other Scouts. We have heated places that others can come into,” Beckford said. The new dining lodge, the health lodge, nature lodge and old trading post provided heated shelter for any who became cold.

Many troops chose to pitch tents despite the cold. Some Scouts built snow caves and snow shelters to sleep in. Staying warm while sleeping outside during the winter can be easily mastered, Beckford said. A fresh change of clothing at night, a knit cap or hat and wool clothing are easy ways to keep warm. Scouting teaches many other skills that make for a comfortable winter camping experience, he said.

Troop 23 worked hard to put on a fantastic event, Beckford said. Scouts in Maine learned how to adapt and safely camp in all kinds of weather. Those who would like to learn winter camping skills may call the Katahdin Area Council Freedom Center at (800) 353-5888 or e-mail cmajor@bsamail.org.