Cape Gilwell-On-The-Lea

Official photos from WB Photographer John Morgenstern made available to the WB Scribbler provide a rare window into a little-understood Wood Badge frivolity—the Rocket Competition (Inter-patrol Activity). Before you scroll down, gentle readers, you are warned that some photographs below may not be suitable for way younger, more mature audiences. Despite appearances, no critters were harmed in any launches.

Dihydrogen oxide-fueled rocketry advanced rapidly after the Shuttle Columbia tragedy caused the loss of several of our finest citizen-astronauts. New research into 360-degree recycling of PVC plastics, fluid hydraulics and social implications of critter-labeled inter-group activities, has now brought us to the Wood Badge for the 21^st Century Rocket Competition. Borrowing out-gassing and o-ring bottle-cap technology from the soft-drink industry and applied adhesive research provided by the Duct Tape Institute of America, Wood Badge engineers and erstwhile rocketeers everywhere began rapidly ramping up to launch their streaming two-liters toward the stars.... Oh, Happy Land!

Your WB Scribbler was privileged to be invited to participate in NE-3-188’s launch at Gilwell Field but he almost aborted the mission when it was pointed out he wasn’t suited [up] for the job. Seventy-nine square yards of Tyvek and two rolls of duct tape later, he celebrated the complicated suiting up process by doing a bad imitation of a Smithfield ham-in-a-hardhat in front of Gilwell Hall.

WB Scribbler Suiting Up: "Let's see, one leg goes in this side, the other in the other side... dang, now the zipper's on the back side, ok, the hard hat goes on the top. 10,9...3,2,1. Let'er rip!"

Launch Inspectors Rick Bamberger and the WB Scribbler check the rear exit hole of Tyvek Minnie's (Owl Patrol ? ) rocket for any carbonated waxy buildup before her date with destiny on the launchpad. Two follicle-challenged Launch Controllers (Bud Dorr and Randy Gibbon), throwing caution to the wind, appear in the background without their sun-blocking headgear.

Tom Davis, Emeritus Course Director (NE-3-176), presents the Staffers entry for inspection. (Don't look now, Tom, but I think your substage launch balloon just fizzled!) Members of the Owl Patrol offer up one of their own as a kind of "good luck" token for a successful launch.

Radio telemetry failed to track the Staffers' rocket as it circled the backside of the moon. Upon reentry into the atmosphere, misguided Launch Controllers attempted splashdown in Crumhorn Lake. Unfortunately, their altitude protractor-thingy malfunctioned at the last minute and the rocket came to rest at a higher elevation west of the lake. The Wood Badge Launchtime Band struck up a rousing rendition of The Drifters' 1962 hit "Up On The Roof"...

When this old world starts getting me down,

And people are just too much for me to face—

I climb way up to the top of the stairs

And all my cares just drift right into space ...

WB-NASA Crack Observer Team Conferencing Before Lunch, er, Launch.

Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius

Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, of cable, cartoon and movie fame, made a brief personal appearance at Cape Gilwell's-on-the-Lea's Self-Congratulatory Staff Dinner, thanks to Gifted Awards Chairman Tom Davis. Before rocketing off on another adventure, the WB Scribbler was able to get a short interview with the carrot-topped character. Look for our exclusive interview coming to a favorite blog near you soon!