St George Pathfinders

We have just completed our 2010 mini-camp. This year Andrei Bobrov planned an innovative new experience for us. We combined a backcountry backpacking adventure with a stay at our beloved Deadmans Creek Campground. Our group consisted of 14 people. 6 razvedcheekee, 4 razvedcheetzi and 4 “adults”. Andrei was able to secure us wilderness permits by heading up a day early with Vitiaz Slava Sidorkin and Razvedceek Kolya Mak. We met at noon at the “Pita Stop” Restaurant for some last minute nutrition before heading up to Mammoth Main Lodge to catch our shuttle to the trail head at Agnews Meadow.

Our first days hike started at 2pm and was 6 miles long climbing to 9600 feet. At dusk we reached Garnet Lake and made camp. This night we were expecting one of the largest meteor showers of the year at midnight. After valiantly setting up camp and preparing dinner we barely managed to stay awake to marvel at the beautiful display the night sky offered us. We rose early, packed up, ate breakfast and were challenged to transverse, cross country to our next destination- 1000 island lake. It took us approximately 2 hours to navigate using compass, orientation, common sense and wilderness skills to maneuver our teams cross country  to our destination. The lake is a beautiful, scenic, relaxing spot.We spent 3 hours resting in the sun, swimming, tanning and communing with nature. We then hiked 2.5 miles to Clark Lakes and our scouts picked out a beautiful campsite where we spent a serene evening listening to other campers being liberated of their culinary goods by California Brown Bears.

Our third day found us hiking virtually all downhill for 6 miles to Silver Lake on the June Lake Loop. This last day lead us past Gem and Agnew Lakes along a steep shale trail with a beautiful view. We were met by Marusia Falcone who shuttled our Druzhina members to the “Tiger Bar”, a local favorite restaurant that provided us with a nourishing burger and fries meal before heading to Deadman’s Creek for our final night. Late in the afternoon we set up camp, bathed in a refreshing cool mountain spring, made dinner, ate and sat next to a warming campfire (the first we were able to enjoy to due to USFC regulations).

We woke up relatively early sunday morning. The adults marveled at how many new muscles we had that hurt and how much faster we used to hike. The kids slept in until breakfast was on the table. We headed home around 10:30 am leaving our campsite cleaner and better stocked than when we had arrived. All involved were sore and challenged. We pushed our limits physically and emotionally but were rewarded with experiences and views that can only be appreciated through effort , perseverance and determination. This was what scouting is all about.

Once again, I send these  recaps out for multiple reasons. First, to remind those who have experienced these events the fond memories we have just encountered. To those of us who have been involved but have fallen away, I hope to draw you back in and remind you of the special times we had. To those of you who are new to this, please ask us about this wonderful organization and what we can offer. Please share this email with anybody and everybody that might be interested and please after reading this let your fire rekindle or burn anew. Do not forget . Act. Make a difference. Step Forward. Volunteer………..It Feels Great!!!!!

Sincerely

Alex Mistuloff

(Bobka, Xopek)

Nachalnik Nizhni Novgorod

The 2010 slyot successfully ended this last saturday and our druzhina was represented very well. We sent 20 kids to camp and had 3 vitiazi/druzhinitzi and 8 scout leaders working there at various times. Our older members worked on the frontlines with the razvedchiki/tzi and volchata/belochki, assisted in the kitchen and worked on land improvement projects. A few parents also came up and offered their tireless assistance. A giant thank you to the Rayskys and Popovi. Without parent participation we are lost. We also had a member of our druzhina provide the adults with a welcome evening diversion by playing with his band at a local venue in Laytonville. We are indeed a “full service” druzhina. However camp is about the kids and this is where we really shined.

Camp this year lasted 3 weeks. Volchata and belochki attended the first 2 weeks. We had a small group of 5 from Los Angeles but they represented us wonderfully. Max Yermakov, Akim Raysky and Isabella Bobrov all won best in camp categories!!! We definitely have a bright future ahead of us. The older kids arrived at the end of the first week with Sasha Mak and Anya Levitsky driving 2 vans with a trailer. The first week was full of activities, sports and hikes. Unfortunately there were a few injuries, but thankfully they were not too serious and all were able to finish camp with some battle scars to show off. Katya Levitsky showed exceptional scout spirit by participating in all of her zvenos competitions even though she was on crutches. The girl even figured out how to march in step with them. BRAVO!!!

The third week of camp was dedicated to celebrating the 60th and 65th anniversaries of druzhini Kiev and Nizhni Novgorod respectively. Members from New York and Washington D.C. made the long journey westward to help us celebrate and to compete. A good time was had by all and new friendships were made. Our 2 zvenya represented us well and competed with spirit. Los Angeles hosted the first campfire of slyot and as it has become our tradition our kids planned and ran it. They did an outstanding job and a good time was had by all. Wednesday was Den Pamyatee Vernih (Day of Remembrance). We had a formal parade and a review by our Starshi Scoutmaster Alex Zaharin, a roll call of the living and dead and a campfire ran by our east coast brothers and sisters. Friday night was our traditional last campfire ran by Kiev. This was an excellent, lively joyous event with songs, skits and a historical beseda by our previous Starshi Scoutmaster Misha Danilevsky. We also had our promotion ceremony and forest names were given out. I am very proud to announce that ALL of our Noveechkee received their galstuki. 4 boys (Klim, Daniel, Justin and Sam) and 2 girls (Sasha and Celiana) have now joined the ranks of full fledged scouts. OOOORRRAAAHHHH!!!! Also not to be outdone by our volchata/belochki our own Ariel Mistuloff was awarded best girl scout in camp (sorry, proud papa).

I would like to personally thank Ira Bogoslovskaya, The Krug (tireless and great attitude, the leaders of the future), Alik Suhonos & Lana Krassovsky (Great Programa), Palina & Matt, Kitchen Staff (yum yum), Clerical Staff and Medical Staff. From NN Anya, Nina, Musia, Sashka, Andrei, Petya, Nick, Slava, Lena and of course our Kiev transplants Alyosha & Katya. Without all of you camp would not have been the great experience that it was. ( I hope I didnt leave anybody out, if so-Sorry)

Saturday we closed camp, packed up and headed down the coast to Fort Ross for their annual celebration. We were joined by our brothers and sisters from the east coast. It was a beautiful day and everybody enjoyed the demonstrations, craft displays, food and natural beauty that is OUR California. Afterwards we were invited by Druzhina Kiev Scoutleader Lisa Sinkevich to spend the night at her house in the bay area before finishing the last leg of our journey home. A very pleasant evening of pizza, showers, basketball, Cherni Sokol awards ceremony and TV (of course) ensued. In the morning we cleaned up our mess, had breakfast and headed home. A big thank you to Tetya Lisa for her hospitality!!! We arrived home at 7pm and our journey was complete.

Camp is always an amazing experience. One that provides us with unforgettable memories. The intent of this recap is too share some of these memories, but truly the only way to really appreciate the experience is by being there. Also there were so many more things that occurred during these 3 weeks (visit and service by a bishop from San Francisco, 3 pera, etc) that i could not include in this correspondence. Please check our website in the upcoming days for photos. I hope to see those of you who were able to attend this year back next year. I also hope to see new faces and to maybe stir up some old memories for those of you who have not been able to attend in recent years. Please forward this to anybody that might be interested.

Be Prepared

Alex Mistuloff

Nachalnik Nizhni Novgorod