For one week in July, the 1st Drumheller Scout troop joined 4000 Scouts from all over British Columbia, Alberta, and as far away as Mexico and New Zealand to camp on Vancouver Island at the Pacific Jamboree.
    The theme was “Salish Sea Adventures,” and there was never a dull moment.
    Scouts received instruction in the sport of fencing from an Olympic gold medalist, raced up the Gorge waterway in 20-person dragon boats, and tried SCUBA diving, kayaking, log rolling, and Zorb soccer.
    They hit pay dirt while gold-panning, spent a sunny day exploring the city of Victoria, and helped build a trail as part of the Legacy Trail project.
    Team-building games and activities tested their balance and communication skills, and Scouts stepped out of their comfort zones on a challenging (but fun!) aerial obstacle course that involved rope ladders and bridges, suspended tires, swaying planks, and cargo nets.
    During their down time, Scouts cooked meals, programmed robots, made paracord bracelets, learned about ham radios, met new friends, and swapped badges. Our troop returned home tired yet energized from this amazing experience.
    We would like to thank the Legion, the Masons, Bernie & The Boys, Hi-Way 9, Kowatch, Allied, Walmart, Drumheller Valley Bus, and Mountain View Charters, as well as a few private donors and the community at large, for their support in helping to make this adventure possible.

It’s not too late to join a team and get into the action in this year’s BCA Pool League.
    This is the seventh year for the league and organizer Ralph Veenhuis says there is still a strong contingent of players and teams.
    The league is supported by a long list of area establishments from Carbon to Morrin to Wayne, and all throughout the valley. Each week teams face off, for fun and in the spirit of friendly competition.
    “We don’t focus on who are the best players, it is just a night out in the wintertime to have some fun, play some decent pool, win some prizes and have a good time,” said Veenhuis.
    And the prizes are great at the year-end tournament. Teams play off for everything from house boating trips to a shot at playing in Las Vegas.
    He said that the league can accommodate up to 40 teams, and usually they have in the area of 25-30 teams. He says by comparison a town the size of Drumheller would often only see about 10 teams. Each team has four players with room for spares to fill in if players can’t make every game.
    Play commences September 22, which means if you want to get on a team you should act quickly. He said there are posters and sign up sheets at participating locations.
    “If you are looking for a location to host your team call, me” said Veenhuis, adding if you are a single who wants to get on a team, you can sign up at the locations, or contact him as well.
    For more information, contact Veenhuis at 403-334-0007.