The Mountain Man Rendezvous is Coming!

Be prepared for an exciting “Mountain Man Rendezvous” for all Varsity and older Scouts at WashJam 2009, August 20-23. “We’ve done the rendezvous activities before at other events, and they are always extremely popular, “ says Terry Lemon, Varsity Scout WashJam program chair.

Varsity Scouting is a program for older Scouts who join a unit called a “team” (rather than a troop), are led by a “team captain” (rather than a senior patrol leader), and advised by a “coach” (rather than a Scoutmaster). There will be some age restrictions on participation in the Mountain Man Rendezvous that will be detailed later, but all Scouts 14 and older can expect to participate in most activities if they choose.

Here’s a sampling of just 4 out of more than a dozen activities planned for the WashJam Mountain Man Rendezvous:

TOMAHAWK THROW

After seeing what the Native Americans could do with the tomahawk, the traders, settlers, and frontiersmen also adopted the tomahawk. AI the Rendezvous, we will be using fine throwing hawks, purchased directly from the Sioux in Standing Rock, South Dakota. These hand-forged tomahawks are very authentic of the mountain man era.

2-MAN BUCK SAW

This two-man event challenges "loggers" to cut through a large log using an old fashioned 2•handled buck saw. This event is timed. A one-man saw will also be available for individuals.

CABOR TOSS

The traditional 'Kabour' was a 12-foot long, 1 foot in diameter log weighing over 100 pounds. This Is a competitive event to see who can throw the log the longest distance. Scores are based on the distance the cabor is thrown.

MANDAN SPEAR GAME

Spear and ring was played by many tribes, and is thought to have been invented by the Mandans, the tribe thai assisted Lewis and Clark during the first winter of their expedition. In this game the players divide into sides. Each player has a spear. The ring, which is a hoop, is about eight inches in diameter. The players on one side are arranged in a line and the hoop is rolled before them. They hurl their spears until all team members have thrown their spears at the rolling ring. When you miss, you forfeit your spear. The hoop is rolled again and the process is continued until one of the teams has forfeited all their spears