Adventure Report: Troop-O-Ree at Cabrillo Beach Youth Center By Heath Row, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 927 In mid-September, about 20 Scouts from Troop 927 (Westchester, Metropolitan District) went to Cabrillo Beach Youth Center for the unit’s annual Troop-O-Ree in preparation for the district Camporee in mid-October. Located in San Pedro, minutes from Cabrillo Beach, the youth center was established in 1946 and now features an Olympic-size swimming pool, campgrounds, and the 25,000-square-foot Spielberg Center, which houses a food service center, craft center, outdoor amphitheater, and Scout Shop. The Troop 927 Scouts—including Kevin Griffin, a newly registered adult member who recently earned his Eagle Award—arrived mid-morning Saturday, in time for waterfront orientation and the swim test in the pool. Afterward, the troop and its patrols—led by Senior Patrol Leader Jonah Hiraoka—were free to set up camp (pictured below) before participating in the day’s activities. Those included swimming in the pool; canoeing, kayaking, and row boating on the waterfront; and crafts in the craft center, which is outfitted with an impressive selection of leatherwork tools. The kayaks were extremely popular, and this assistant Scoutmaster enjoyed some quiet time in a canoe. Unfortunately, the waterfront was closed for part of the afternoon because of wind. That made for one busy pool! Despite the usually quiet fall weekend, the camp was absolutely packed, populated by at least two Girl Scout units and a couple additional Scouts BSA troops, including a Scout Me In unit. The large number of campers resulted in limited access to watercraft, which encouraged Scouts to share and be mindful of other Scouts waiting for their turn to hit the water. Most of the units took advantage of eating in the food service center, while Troop 927 prepared its own meals. The troop’s menu featured lunchmeat and cheese sandwiches with fruit, quesadillas and a taco bar for dinner (with churros for dessert!), and bagels with cream cheese and fruit Sunday morning. All of the units on site participated in an evening campfire program in the amphitheater, sharing skits, songs, stories, and other shenanigans. Highlights included a rendition of “Hermie the Worm” complete with sleeping bag worm costume and a totally messy version of “Sammy Scout.” After breaking down camp Sunday morning, Troop 927 visited nearby Fort MacArthur Museum, where the unit has done a couple of recent service projects, before heading home to Westchester. As one of the Greater Los Angeles Area Council’s properties, the Cabrillo Beach Youth Center is a wonderful Scout facility—and serves well as a camp, as well as a base of operations to explore other area highlights such as the Battleship USS Iowa Museum, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, Fort MacArthur Museum, and Los Angeles Maritime Museum. To learn more about Cabrillo Beach Youth Center, call the council camping department and camping support at 213-413-4400 x354/367. Photograph courtesy of Scoutmaster Ed Lesnansky Photograph courtesy of Scoutmaster Ed Lesnansky .