06/14/2026
Scouting America Spring Rendezvous: A weekend spent in 1826 at Camp Bomazeen
by Chris Bernier
On May 15, 2026, 130 individuals converged at Camp Bomazeen for the 2026 Spring Rendezvous Camporee, a living history 1840s fur trade theme event for Scouts from all over the state of Maine. This weekend long camporee drew in scouts from three of the four districts in Pine Tree Council which is one of two councils in the state of Maine.
Troops arrived at Camp Bomazeen on Friday and set up camp in preparation for the various skill and competitive events on Saturday. The following Troop attended this event. In no particular order Troop #433-F Winslow(host troop to the event), Troop #3485, Skowhegan, Troop #254 Waldorboro, Troop #213 Damariscotta, Troop #672 Gardiner, Troop #546 Farmington, Troop #622 Manchester, Troop #47 Scarborough, Troop #428 Pittsfield, Troop #202 Topsham, Troop #401 Sidney. Also in attendance were several volunteers, staffers as well as Gary Savignano Pine Tree Council’s Scout Executive, and Mike Labbe who is the national service territory Commissioner for territory 11 which covers Pine Tree council and several other northeast councils.
On Saturday morning troop attended the flag raising ceremony. The color guard consisted of a few adults who were attending adult leader training hosted by Kennebec Valley District Training Team as well as youth selected by several troops who needed to participate in a flag ceremony in order to complete a vital requirement for the Tenderfoot rank. First was the raising of the American flag followed by the pledge of allegiance. Then there was the raising of the Maine state flag and the Camp Bomazeen flag. The Color guard was dismissed and the event was opened by Campmaster Chris Bernier and co camp master Julie McKenney. The tone was set when camp master Chris opened the event by saying “Welcome to the Spring rendezvous in the year of our lord 1826″.
The various events were announced which included the following: Station 1: Rifle shooting at the rifle range. Station 2: Archery at the Archery Range. Station 3: Tomahawk Throwing at the Tomahawk Range. Station 4: Primitive fire building use bow drill. Station 5: Kims Game(a game of attention and memory). Station 6: Voyageurs games including native leg wrestling, voyageurs balance wrestling and a relay race. Station 7: Frying pan toss. Station 8: Hoop and stick challenge. Station 9: The great rabbit hunt(a challenge to spot rabbits camouflaged in the wild). Station 10: Three, two, one, tripod pioneering challenge. Station 11: It’s knot a race (a silent team knot tying race). Station 12: The little smithy (yes a full blacksmith station where youth got to build a project together). Station 13: No event because in 1826, the number 13 is an unlucky number. Station 14: The Trappers station(where youth learned about trapping). The following special events were announced. The Great red blank trade set for the evening, a dutch oven dessert competition for leaders, Gate way competition with brag rag and a primitive camping competition and lastly the a visit from the “North Star Drum” which is part of the 4 Directions Intertribal Native American Group.
The camp was dismissed to attend the events above. The theme was embraced by many of the youth who dressed up in period correct outfits and roamed the various events in style.
Throughout the day youth were heard enjoying the various events. The tinging of the hammer from the blacksmith station. Boys and girls going from one station to another in laughter and merriment of the 1800s.
In the event the great red blanket trade started around 6pm. Youth and adult converged at the sports field and placed out red blankets with trade items. These items were Scouting related or 1800s related. Candles swapped for Scout badges. String and tins of tree resin swapped for a rabbit pelt. A pair of moccasins swapped for a couple of folding knives. Everyone enjoyed each others swapping and haggling with all deals ending on a hand shake.
Following the great red blanket trade was the closing campfire where troops entertained each other in turn with a song, skit, dance or cheer. This took place down by the lake in the field with two fires crackling in the night. The closing of the campire was with a story of how Chief Bomazeen got his name based on the story found in the book 13 Moons. A story written down by Sebastian Rasle the Jesuit priest who lived among the Norridgewock natives for several years.
The closing of the campfire was done with Gearry “Smiley” Judkins leading the entire camp in Vespers. A song which is near and dear to all whom have ever served on Staff at Scout camp.
The song ends with the statement “Will the great scoutmaster of all scouts be with us until we meet again” with the crowd response of “til we meet again” which is very fitting for this event.
Following campfire, scouts and leaders made their way back to their campsites and enjoyed an hour or so to themselves in with their own campfires hearing stories from their youth about the day’s adventures.
The following morning campers woke at 6:30 a.m., and the immediate smell through out the camp was that of breakfast being cooked with the main smell of bacon wafting through the air.
At 8 a.m., there was a Scouts Own non denominational service on the waterfront. Following that was closing ceremony at the parade field. Again a selection of youth in need of a flag ceremony were selected to lower and fold the flags. Following the flag ceremony the camp masters thanked all of the adults and youth who staffed the event with a special camp staff patch commemorating the event. Without their help the event would not have been a success. After a free raffle for some camp Bomazeen duffle bags was held. The duffle bags being a donation from Karla Talpey and Alan Duplessis, of Jackman. The six bags were raffled off based on the youth who attended the Kim’s game which Karla and Alan had run during the previous day.
Then the awards for the competitive events were handed out. Those being Gateway and brag rag competition, primitive camping and dessert competition. Lastly were the trophies for the top scoring troops. The following troops placed this year. Troop #433-F Buff Mallard Patrol, Winslow placed fifth over all. Troop #213 Damariscotta Black Knight Patrol placed fourth over all. Troop #428 Skowhegan The Ducks of Anarchy Patrol placed third over all. Troop #202 Topsham Tator Tots patrol placed second over all and Troop #202 Topsham Lumber Jacks patrol was first.
After the closing ceremony and a few announcements about future camporees were made, the camp staff wished everyone a safe journey home.
If you or a youth you know ages K-12 have an interest in joining Scouting America please reach out to Scouter Chris Bernier at [email protected] with the subject line of “I want to join scouts”. You can also visit the following website to learn more about scout packs and troops in your general area. Www.beascout.scouting.org you can also visit the Pine Tree Council website at www.pinetreescouting.org.
