SQUADRON 306 TRIP TO THE GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD
On July 17th -19th the Civil Air Patrol Cadets of Squadron 306 went camping on the battlefield at Gettysburg Pa. On Friday July 17th after meeting at the Squadron Building we traveled to McMillan’s Woods camping area of the battlefield, the Cadets and Seniors setup camp and prepared for the adventurous weekend ahead. Later that evening the Cadets and Seniors went on a ghost walk tour of the battlefield, we split up into two teams to go to either Devils Den or the Slaughter Pen. The groups were equipped with voice recorders and cameras, some cadets such as Cadet Dempsey had captured some interesting sounds on his voice recorder, but yes there were some tricksters such as Cadets Farson and Spriggle, and our Deputy Commander of Cadets Lt. J. Barrick who had taken a picture of some re-enactors in the fog at night. Cadets Farson and Spriggle had made some voice recordings on a cell phone to try and scare the other Cadets and Senior members, we are sincerely sorry if we fooled !you. Once the group returned to camp we celebrated Cadet Rutt’s birthday with some delicious cake by the campfire. We then went to our tents for lights out. That night Cadets also partook in firewatch duties and some saw some comical things through the evening and early morning hours, such as a raccoon in one of the neighboring campsites coolers. On Saturday morning we arose to a breakfast of eggs and bacon by the campfire. Later in the morning the Cadets picked “Battle Buddies” as we went on an excellent guided bus tour through the battlefield. After returning to camp we had a hotdog lunch and the Cadets were given some “free time” to do as they wanted, some played cards while others sat by the campfire and talked. Then later in the afternoon the Cadets and Seniors filled hydration packs and prepared for a 5 mile hike. On the hike we stopped and watched a Civil War Calvary re-enactment that was very good. After the re-enactment we hiked on to the observation tower to see !
an outstanding view of the battlefield. We then hiked back to !
camp where we had an excellent meal of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fresh cut French fries, corn on the cob and watermelon. After chow some of the Cadets played a game of football with a scout troop from Ohio that was also visiting the battlefield. As evening fell we were joined by members of Squadron 336 of Hegins Pa. They brought with them some delicious ice cream and toppings for all to enjoy (we sure ate well this weekend). Both squadrons then set by the campfire to listen to some civil war ghost stories from a local storyteller from Gettysburg. Cadet Cook of Squadron 306 and his father are civil war re-enactors and dressed in Civil War uniforms to help set the mood. After the storyteller Mr. Cook gave an excellent talk about the rank structure and explained the different insignia on the uniform and what it meant. We then sat by the campfire enjoying talking with members of Squadron 336 before saying goodnight and retiring to our tents for the evening. Sunday morning we a!
rose to a pancake breakfast before breaking down camp and policing our campsite area. We loaded the trailer and headed for the Pennsylvania Monument where Cadets and Seniors looked to see if they could find names of any relatives on the walls surrounding the monument. We then left the battlefield for the trip back home. This trip was a great time and teambuilding experience that will be remembered by all who attended and we hope to make this an annual outing for our Squadron.
Submitted by Cadet Daniel Spriggle with assistance from 2Lt E. Barrick
