Northeast Brownsea - June 2014

As I reacquainted myself with the BPSA in early 2014,  it became clear to me that there was somewhat of a shortage of fully Invested Rovers in this part of the country.  I could see from the posts on the Base Camp website, that a Brownsea Training Camp (BTC) was coming up, but there was nobody around who could invest anybody, except for me!  I began reaching out to the different candidates and let them know I would be willing to advise them, and in the end, I made the trip out to my first BTC in about six years.  It was a bit of a rush to be back in uniform, surrounded by dozens of Rovers who were now part of BPSA and wanting to learn as much as they could about it.  I was both humbled and pretty much floored at the same time.  It was all getting very real for me, that this seed we had planted, had finally taken off.   I had to pinch myself several times to make sure I was really awake, and awake I was.... I wanted to make sure I was able to be PRESENT in these precious moments.

The old backpack, all ready to go!

For me personally, the weekend held a lot of "re-firsts".  This was the first time bringing out the old backpack in years, and by that, I mean my original Coleman backpack from when I was a teen in BSA.  It was as I mentioned my first time back in Rover Scout camp since I had taken a time-out, which for me was just a joy to be around so many like-minded people, who at one time seemed so hard to find.  This was my first time flying my 3rd Wolves Patrol flag since 2008, which had been with me at every BTC that I had been on, except for my very first one.  Most of all, this was probably the first time in a long while, where I actually felt myself becoming grounded again.  This is particularly important to me because this is one of the biggest reasons why I wanted to get back to Rovering in the first place; to be in touch with nature.

3rd Wolves Patrol Flag, back in service!

I was asked to present a segment in the training course about the history of the BPSA and talk a little about where our organization came from.  I don't ever recall having so many eyes on me at once, at least, not in uniform.  It was a bit odd talking about things that to them were in the distant past, but to me were as if they happened yesterday.  I wore my old 3rd Charter Oak uniform, and spoke about our short history and lineage.   I told them the story behind the Wolves patrols, the people, the things we did, and where we left off.  It was a real treat to be able to contribute to the event.  We even did a campfire ashes ceremony on Saturday night, and I brought along ashes from all our original Brownsea Training Camps.  As I poured them into the fire, it really brought our past into our present.  That was a really powerful moment.

I think the biggest part of the weekend for me was the Rover Scout investitures.  I smile a little every time I hear them refer to the ceremony as a "knighting".  We never really called it that.  In fact, we didn't really run around calling ourselves "knights"; we were Invested Rover Scouts.  I won't say too much about the ceremony, because its really meant to be a private thing.... but let's just say I was happy to use the same sword that I used years ago, and I even more happy that I didn't injure anyone with it!  It was a real honor to work with these people and help bring them along to the next leg of their journey as a Rover.

My new Rovers!

 As is the case with most events that brings people together, I'd have to say it was the people who made this weekend a very memorable one.  Rovers came from as far away as Brooklyn, Buffalo, Boston, New Hampshire, and the Adirondacks, to be at this encampment.  They showed an exceptional commitment to the movement and to themselves.  I found a new set of brothers and sisters that weekend.  "Rewarding" would be an understatement.  I'm writing about this nine whole months later... and still smiling about it.

Proof I was there!!