BELLEPLAIN — Nearly 200 Cub Scouts from the local district of the Boy Scouts of America Southern New Jersey Council took part in the annual Bay Sea Day Camp at the Belleplain State Forest from July 9 – 13.
Eleven Cub Scout packs participated from Cape May and Cumberland counties.
The theme from this year’s camp was Pirates of the Cape, which had participants compete in a weeklong treasure hunt searching for pirate booty.
Scout leaders and volunteers dressed up in pirate gear – hats, eye patches, sculls and bones – to give the camp a genuine look.
Events included archery, bb guns, kickball, swimming, crafts, cooking and even crawling through the mud.
Scouts also got a presentation from AtlantiCare on automobile safety.
Program Director Frank LoMonaco explained that everything the scouts have the young people do is aimed at a goal.
“We try to instill in the kids character, citizenship, as well as mental and physical fitness,” he said. “As they get older they become less dependent on their parents and better able to succeed in life.”
Not just a learning experience, all the kids at the camp seemed to have a great time as well. Many said their favorite part was swimming in Lake Nummy, a converted cranberry bog that is also a popular boating and fishing spot.
The 21,000-acre Belleplain State Forest is home to the event each year.
Established in 1928, activities at the forest include camping, fishing, trapping, hunting, picnicking, softball, playground, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and much more.
An entrance fee is charged between Memorial Day and Labor Day, $5 on weekdays and $10 on weekends. Several overnight camping options are also available.
For more information, call 861-2404.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
