I must be a glutton for punishment. I've been attending these way too long.

First, we call it a camporee (camp-o-ree). It's an event for all the scout troops in a district (in this case 5 rural counties) to come together for fun and competition. That's fine. However, it doesn't matter what weekend it is held, it will rain. We should just start calling it a rainoree.

This weekend is no exception. It's rained this morning ensuring that the ground will be wet when troops arrive to pitch their tents. It's forecasted to rain tomorrow morning. Forecast models show about a quarter inch (0.7cm) of rain could fall. Not bad compared to some of the deluges we've been through that turn pathways into boot sucking mud pits.

However, it's the air temp forecast of maybe 47F or so degrees (about 8C) combined with that rain that worries me with some youth who probably won't be prepared for it. I never look forward to that combination of weather. Can you say raw?

Oh, and Saturday night, the temps will plummet to about 27F (-3C). Won't be the coldest camporee, but it'll be bad enough after the rain during the day. I've packed my winter camping gear for this one.

Coldest camporee I've been to, the air temp dropped to about 20F (-6.5C) both nights. We had frost so heavy that the scouts held a 15 minute "snowball" fight by scrapping all the frost together off the ground around the tents. Seriously.

So, while I'm away, don't post anything interesting (chuckle) and be thankful you're in a warm house/apartment while this squirrel-at-heart is sleeping outdoors in my 20F rated sleeping bag with a fleece liner that makes it comfortable down another 10 deg F or so. :)