Boy Scouts practice their skills at Camporee

Fridays are always great, but this Friday is extra special for Boy Scouts around the UP. Friday starts the annual Camporee Weekend.

Camporee embodies all things Boy Scout. All over the campground, you’ll see boys tending fires, tying knots and pitching tents. Troops come from Marquette, Munising, and the Copper Country to participate.

“It gives them a good chance to practice their leadership skills. The boys operate as patrols. They do their own cooking and then they’re in charge of getting themselves to all their games and making sure they’re prepared for those. So, it’s a good learning experience for the boys and we have a little fun at the same time,” said Karl Kestila, the Scout Master for Troop 321.

This year’s theme is “Building Bridges to the Future.” Following that theme, the older boy scouts will have a “see–and–do” with the younger cub scouts to show them what scouting is all about. Even though they’re working hard, the boys are still having a good time.

“Well it makes me feel excited because I get to stay out here with my friends and they get to camp with me too. I like how you can go out camping and use your imagination with nature,” added Beau Mager, a twelve year old boy scout in Troop 321

This is the second year that Ishpeming has hosted the Camporee event.