The Great NNED Land Rush of 2007
By Commander Jay M. Woodward
Pony Express Editor
On Saturday, May 12, NNED Royal Rangers held Land Rush 2007 at Camp Marist on Lake Ossipee, New Hampshire, the site of Pow Wow 2007. 74 men and boys from 11 Outposts throughout the District came together that day for a time of hard work, fellowship, and fun! This year’s Pow Wow theme is “X-Challenge.” It is a back-to-basics Pow Wow that will focus on the basics of camping and the basics of the Christian life. In order to be ready for this year’s event, the District held Land Rush to clear the land allotted for Pow Wow, so that Outposts can come to a campsite that they have already prepared for themselves to settle right in! As Deputy District Commander Kendall Sperrey, the Camp Coordinator for Pow Wow , explained, “It was an idea to add some fun and excitement to the process of campsite development. As we develop this site the Lord has blessed us with we need to have fun with it.”
At about 8:00 AM, when everyone arrived at the campsite, District Commander Jerry Love opened the event in prayer, and then he and Commander Kendall explained what everyone was to be doing. The first item of business was to clear the land that will house the Staff’s model campsite, as well as the FCF Village. Immediately, everyone went to their work, hauling away brush and bringing it to the side of the road, where it could be put into a wood chipper, which was brought to the campsite by Commander Jason Wright, this year’s Camp Commander for Pow Wow. Though Commanders did the more “dangerous” duties of running the wood-chipper and running the chainsaws, the boys did a magnificent job of carrying out all the brush and really worked well together to accomplish a great deal in a short period of time!
However, the work was only halfway done. Following the clearing of the Staff campsite, the Land Rush began! Outposts then claimed their campsites on a first-come, first-serve basis, and then began to clear brush from their selected lands and prepare them for Pow Wow. As with the model campsite, there was much work to do, and the wood chipper was going almost nonstop as boys and leaders brought their brush to the side of the road. After it was chipped, however, it could be used by Outposts in their campsites. Also, boys dug trenches, and put together their fire pits, as there were plenty of rocks available. Indeed, there was a lot of development going on that day! Commander Kendall observed, “Everyone seemed to be having a good time. We got a lot done. There are going to be some great sites, and over the next few years, as things begin to grow back, we will see the fruits of their labors.”
All that work made for hungry Rangers. For lunch, FCF prepared their famous “Turkey in a Trash Can”, complete with all the fixings! Indeed, everyone seemed to really enjoy the feast that was prepared for the boys and leaders by Commander Rob Cunningham, Commander Ben Bustard, and Chief Chef Catherine Cunningham. Everything tasted especially good after a morning of hard work! Following lunch, everyone put the finishing touches on their work, and called it a day!
Land Rush 2007 was a great success. Looking back upon the day, Commander Kendall commented, “I thought it was a great day! I was impressed with the number of men and boys who turned out.” He added, “It’s the faithful commanders who have devoted themselves to the boys and their Outposts that make this ministry work. To hear the excitement in their voices and see the look of satisfaction on their faces after a good day’s labor is rewarding. I think that all the leaders and boys who REALLY make these events happen deserve a big round of applause.” Pow Wow 2007 will now be an even better experience, thanks to all who took part in the Great NNED Land Rush of 2007!
