The Big Weekend

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Venturers from Crew 37 (that's us) and Crew 30 (Our Dublin, Texas, "sister crew") spent the weekend at Camp Billy Gibbons Scout Camp near Richland Springs Jan. 15 and 16.

The 38-person expedition was the first joint activity for the two Crews, but if everyone's reaction is any measure, it will be followed by many more.

The two crews left DeLeon and Dublin around 8 a.m. Saturday morning, and arrived in the wilds of CBG around 11 a.m.

After a quick check-in and unload session in the camp's mess hall and a lunch of hot dogs, the groups headed down to one of the 30-foot cliffs at Plum Hollow for a little rappelling/confidence building.

For many, it was the first time they had stood on the edge of a cliff and forced themselves off into nothingness, supported only by a nylon rope and trust in the people manning the safety belay.

Others in the crew explored one of the shallow limestone caves underneath CBG, climbing down into the dark and dusty recesses lighted by flashlight.

When the Venturers tired of those diversions, the crews moved to the Billy Gibbons waterfront. The balmy 70-degree January weather was perfect for those who desired to man the canoes and paddle up and down the section of Brady Creek impounded by the scout camp's dam.

Others walked across the dam to scale the heights of the Needle's Eye and the Keyhole, rock formations near the top of the 100-foot cliffs overlooking the canoeists.

At last, a breakfast of hamburgers cooked on an outdoor pit, french fries from a cooker and cherry cobbler from dutch ovens beckoned. It was followed by a session of music around the dining room fireplace, and groups touring the darkened camp or observing stars in the cloudless skies until midnight, when it was lights out.

The final morning began early, with a burrito breakfast of sausage and eggs. After cleaning up the campsite and packing, followed by a church service at the camp chapel, the crews returned to the rappel site and to the cave for one last tour.

Then it was back to Brownwood, for a stop at Underwood's restaurant before returning home to De Leon and Dublin.

Venturing is a youth development program for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age.

Venturing is designed to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.

The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, to grow, to develop leadership skills, and to become good citizens.

Youth interested in joining one of the two sister crews should contact Pat Leatherwood in Dublin or Cliff Coan in DeLeon.