Bitterroot District, Montana Council, Boy Scouts of America

Chad "Catfish" Williams watches as Justin Carmen of Missoula shoots the black powder rifle at his target. Williams is a camp director and has been involved in Boy Scouts for 20 years. Photo by ERIN HOLLERN - Ravalli Republic

Bitterroot Rendezvous 2004

Ravalli Republic Writeup
Friday, October 22, 2004

Bitterroot rendezvous:
Boy Scouts gather to celebrate spirit of Corps of Discovery
By GREG LEMON Staff Reporter

Through the river-bottom stand of cottonwoods and ponderosa pines, a tepee and some canvas tents rose from a carpet of brown fall grass and golden leaves.

Mountain men stirred about, dressed in buckskin pants, moccasins and wool mackinaws, with long flintlock rifles in the crook of their arms and wool caps on their heads. On a cool autumn morning they seemed to be going about the business of camp - tending to campfires, cleaning rifles, and sharpening knives. But this was a scene from two eras: one representing long ago, and the other illustrating today with energy, curiosity and youth.

The curious spectacle was the first Boy Scouts of America Bitterroot Rendezvous, celebrating the Corps of Discovery and its passage through the Bitterroot Valley.

"We believe Lewis and Clark stopped somewhere in this area," said Chad Williams, a scout leader who helped organize the event. "We wanted to get as close to an actual place as we could."

The rendezvous was held on land owned by Dwain Rennaker between Hamilton and Darby on the Bitterroot River.

About 125 boy scouts from as far as way as Butte and Whitefish came to the rendezvous and nearly 100 volunteer leaders helped put on the event, said Randy Keith, a scout leader with the Bitterroot District of Boy Scouts of America.

The turnout was good, Keith said, but this was just the first year.

Co-sponsored by the Bitterroot District and the Mullan Trail District in Missoula, the rendezvous focused on the mountain men explorers, like Lewis and Clark, and the Indians they met in the area.

Boy Scouts and their leaders arrived Friday night and camped near the river. Saturday was devoted to teaching scouts some of the traditional skills, like matchless fires, hatchet throwing, archery and orienteering.

The morning began with performances from re-enactors who dressed in traditional mountain man clothing and displayed authentic tools - everything from rifles and knives to compasses and games.

"We're trying to create as much interest in Lewis and Clark as we can," said Keith.

Each Boy Scout troop to all the stations to learn and practice mountain man skills before the afternoon competition between troops. The competition would test the scouts' ability to perform skills they had learned that morning.

Prizes awarded at the competition were things coveted by Boy Scouts everywhere. Troop 6986 from Lolo won first place and a canoe. Troop 906, also out of Lolo, won a prize package containing things like sleeping bags, tents and backpacks. Troop 1507 out of Florence won third and also took home some sleeping bags, campstoves and water filters.

Bob Ward and Sons donated the prizes.

Scouting gives boys an opportunity to do things they wouldn't normally get to do, said Dustin Fugere, 11, from troop 1910 in Missoula as he waited his turn to fire a blackpowder musket.

His parents take him camping all the time, he said, "but when you're going out with your family you don't get to shoot muskets."

Boy Scouts is unlike any other group available for kids, said 11-year-old Eli Isbell, Fugere's friend, also from troop 1910.

"We get to camp a lot and we get to learn survival skills and help people in our community," Isbell said.

"And have fun the entire time doing it," chimed in Fugere.

Amid the brilliant fall colors and the traditional mountain man displays, the point seemed to be just that - to have fun. Something Lewis and Clark would likely have supported and something that seems essential to Boy Scout events.

At the blackpowder station, where the scouts could practice their aim with a real musket, Isbell and Fugere contemplated attaining the rank of Eagle - the highest level a Boy Scout can reach - with their friend Jackson Wile.

Wile, 11, is only a Tenderfoot - the first rank earned by a scout - but he just joined Troop 1910.

Isbell has earned the next rank of Second Class scout, but he is anxiuos about to moving up.

"I'm only 11 and I'm getting First Class," he said.

In all, a scout must earn five ranks before becoming an Eagle Scout. Scouts move up through the ranks by completing a series of requirements set out by the Boy Scout handbook, including specific merit badge requirements, and they have until age 18 to earn their Eagle. Along the way, they earn different merit badges, each of which teaches a variety of skills and virtues.

Reaching the pinnacle takes a lot of work, said Williams, who himself is an Eagle Scout.

For the young Boy Scouts who were waiting in line to try their hand at musket shooting, there were few doubts about their future.

"I plan to become an Eagle Scout," said Isbell. "I'll just work at it really hard with all my heart and soul and ask God and it will come through."

Wile's pretty sure he'll make it too, but he knows it's going to be hard. His uncle was almost an Eagle Scout, but didn't quite make it, he said.

Fortunately, Isbell is offering his services.

"I'll help you," Isbell said, as he put his arm around his friend's shoulders.

Reporter Greg Lemon can be reached at 363-3300 or at glemon@ravallirepublic.com