From: anthropo@carina.unm.edu (Dominick V. Zurlo)
Subject: Resica Memory # 4 (I think)
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 92 22:57:46 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

Another Memory.  Today is a bad day, and I'm trying to cheer myself
up, so I figured I'd indulge myself.

When I worked at Resica, one of my jobs was to be a troop host.  
We had to meet and greet the troop at the entrance to the camp,
and guide them to their campsite.  Well, after my first year,
I'd end up having like two troops each week (becasue I was good
with relaying info and communicating) and then towards the end of 
the second year, I was switching on and off with being the Head Host.
That meant that I didn't have to host a troop myself, but that I 
helped to arrange the hosts and coordinate them with the troops, and 
to handle any problems that developed.  (Like one campsite that 
flooded the first time it was used in 4-5 years!)  
Well, when we were waiting for troops to come up the hill to the camp
entrance, we'd all be talking and joking.  SOme troops would get there
right as we opened the gates, others would get there right towards the 
end of the day.  sigh.   So, the staff would be all jokinga nd laughing, 
when a car would come up the hill they'd all line up on one side while 
I stood in the middle of the road and found out what troop they were and
turned them over to their host.  (
   Just as an aside, I worked in Ecology, and we started the saying,
"If we're hosts, are the troops parasites??"  Never did get an answer...
   SO, the poor host and troop would get to their campsite, and then 
begin the laborious process of orientation.  First the boys were all
admonished to get their gear stowed and put on their swim trunks.  Then
the troop would be led throught all the areas for orientation (Handicraft,
Scoutcraft, Ecology, ...) and the long ones, Shooting Sports with the 
gun and archery safety talk, and the pool for the swim test.  ANd 
of course, the mess hall.  Where they were bullied and shouted at and 
made to realize that they had entered into Hell. (HEHEHHEHEHEH)  
   NO, seriously, it was fun, but the pool would take forever!  And
they also did the lake orientation there (the half-mile hike would not
have worked on the first day!) .  The worst was when we had so many 
troops that hosts had to double up.  But then we'd have troops that 
weren't able to finish the orientations on time becuase they got 
in late, or got moving late, or whatever, and then we'd have to set
up times for them to do the orientation later on.  (Fun!!!)  
   But it was great being a host.  I kinda missed it as the Head Host, 
but that was fun too, I got to meet all the troops, speak to 
each SM and most of the other leaders.  It was great.  And I was 
able to go around and make certain each troop was happy, and if not 
to find out why and try to come up with solutions with the Commissioners
and the Directors.   After the first day I had no real responsibility 
(as Head Host) except to make certain the hosts did their job and to 
fill in when they couldn't or to arrange for coverage.  Then came 
the last day.  The day when the host turns into Hitler, and I as 
the Head Host  into Attila the HUn!!!! The troop MUST be forced to clean
the site, put everything where it belongs, pick up and discard their 
trash, and all that.  Actually, it was great fun.  Everyone was good 
about their sites, and most troops tried to leave it better than when 
they arrived.  Once in a while there were problems, but they were rare. 

   Working as a host was wonderful.  meet a new troop every week, and 
be a part of them, join in the helping and sharing and giving.  It was
great, and I met lots of people that way.  Then, as Head Host, it was 
dealing more with the leaders and the JASM's and SPL's.  Ahh.  It was
good.  It was fun, and SOmeday, I'll be able to do that again.  
See y'all later.

In Brotherhood,
WWW
Dominick V. Zurlo
Eagle Scout '87
blacklisted '88