At Camp

Every Scout in the Council liked Summer Camp, a lot…

But the COVID, who ruined all activities, did NOT!

The COVID hated camp! The whole camping season!
Now please don’t ask why, COVID acted without reason.
It could be the government closed things up tight.
It could be that parents didn’t feel quite right.
But I think the most likely reason of all
Was the Pandemic Panic had thrown up a wall.

But, whatever the reason, the groans or the shouts
COVID lurked there in the spring, hating the Scouts!
Staring out across the Council with a sour COVID frown
Stay-at-home and lock-downs had gripped every town.
He cancelled camporees and webelos encampments
and state parks were closed to any who camp went.

“They’re packing their gear!” he snarled with a sneer.
“Summer Camp is coming! It’s practically here!”
Then he growled, with his COVID fingers nervously
drumming,
“I MUST find some way to stop Summer Camp from coming!”

For, this summer, he knew…

… all the Scout girls and guys
The older and younger, both large and pint size
Would pitch up their tents in the meadows, by the creek
Ready for activities to take them through the week.

Then the Scouts would shoot arrows and rifles each day.
They’d go to aquatics, in the water they’d play.
All around the camp each Scout would scamper
Doing handicrafts and nature walks to thrill every camper.

And then they’d do something, he couldn’t out run!
Each scout down in Summer Camp would start to have FUN!
Having fun was the reason attendance increased
Having FUN was something COVID couldn’t stand in the least.

And the more COVID thought of the annual fling,
The more COVID thought, “I must stop this whole thing!”
“Why for dozens of years they’ve got away with this now!”
“I must stop Summer Camp from happening – but HOW?”

Then he got an idea! An awful idea!
COVID GOT A TERRIBLY, AWFUL IDEA!

“Do you know what I’ll do?” COVID laughingly asked
“After months of wearing gloves and uncomfortable masks,
“I’ll have them turn on one another each one pointing a finger
“And with each dad and mother a cautious doubt will linger.”

And that’s all it took, for his plan to take hold
Summer Camp was cancelled, the plans were to fold.
“Pooh-Pooh to the Scouts!” COVID was humming
“They’re finding out now no camp will be coming!
“There mouths will hang open a minute or two
“Then every staffer bound for summer camp
will all cry BOO-HOO!”

COVID put up his hand to cup his ear.
“That’s a sound that I simply can’t wait to hear.”
But the sound that he heard wasn’t what he expected.
“But I took all their plans and proceeded to wreck it!”
The sound he heard was not happy, and it started to grow.
He hadn’t stopped Scouting, but how could he know?

See, Scouting’s a spirit that lives deep within.
When troubles arrive they are met with a grin.
12 laws of Scouting serve each boy and girl well.
How we will get through this only time will tell.

Maybe Scouting, just think, doesn’t come in a tent.
Maybe Scouting, perhaps, comes from hearts well meant.

So survive it we will, we’ve done it before,
Through depression, famine and a few wars.
So let’s be patient, and wait for our turn to serve
For one day, surely, we will flatten that curve.

Created by: Christopher Mark Johnson