Punkin' Chunkin' Weekend at Camp Pipsico

Just before Thanksgiving, our council held its first annual Pumpkin Chunkin' event at the Pipsico Scout Reservation in Spring Grove, VA. The Boy Scouts built and operated catapults, trebuchets and gigantic sling-shots that launched 4 lb. pumpkins nearly 90 meters. The banner image above shows all of them. Pictures on our Tidewater Council Website


We, the Cub Scouts, were also invited to both watch and enter a golf ball chunkin' contest. We had a blast! One of our scout parents designed and built the catapults. The boys had a great time launching them and they also had a great time watching the Boy Scouts do their thing.

There wasn't as much participation from Cub Scouts as I would have hoped. Only three packs came out for the event and one of them used a store-bought water balloon sling-shot instead of building a catapult. Our pack earned the award for accuracy. I'm guessing the distance award went to the water-balloon people. (so much for the rules...grrr!!)

Attendance by Boy Scout Troops was much higher than the council expected. They had more than double the expected participation. They managed to keep everything together; a great credit to the council and camp staff!

To our disappointment, we have found out that Cub Scouts won't be invited to the event next year. :( That's OK, we'll find something fun to do in its place. We are glad we had the opportunity to go to the first one.