Updated:
Sept 25, 2001
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"I appreciate, so much, the commanders who chose to come to camp even though rain was predicted," said District Commander, Wesley Harmon. "I am amazed at the turnout. Thank goodness for commanders who are willing to make such a sacrifice for the boys. It takes special men to do what they did. And the boys, I don't think they minded the mud at all. In fact, they seemed to enjoy it, except while they tried to sleep, I'm sure. I know there are many moms who were not very happy but I hope they will understand."
Once again, the Holy Spirit proved He could move in rain or shine. Our special guest speaker, Jacques LaChristian (David Popilek), combined his French Voyager character of the early 1800's Fur Trade Era, with anointed preaching to deliver the gospel message. Between 60 and 70 boys responded to the alter call for salvation and to rededicated their lives to Jesus. Jacques told the story of his father, Trapper Joe to illustrate courage and commitment. Saturday morning's activities began with presentation of the
colors and devotion. Following breakfast boys participated in
the outpost competition. Ages 9-12 competed in the cart races
while ages 13 and up had inner tube races in the pool.
In the evening, everyone returned to his campsites for supper. Later, outposts gathered once again for the council fire service and pageant. Prior to the service, the FCF had its annual "callout" where new members were inducted into the ranks of the FCF. Trophies for the morning games and campsite inspections were given out to the winners. The pageant, under the direction of District Productions Coordinator,
Steve "Praise God for the tremendous response to the alter services! This is why we have worked so hard for so many months in preparation for PowWow. I was very disappointed with the rain. I was worried that a lot of rangers would stay home. But we had a great turnout and, I believe, God honored the efforts of so many with a great move of the Holy Spirit." The campground is still very new. There is a lot of work to
be done yet including road and dirt work. Obviously, we have
got to fix the new roads and help the old ones drain better.
The new coucil fire area is already under construction. The FCF
has also committed to building the stage in our new amphitheatre.
Plans are already underway for next years PowWow. The theme is
still under development. |
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The 2001
Mississippi District PowWow was held on June 8-10, 2001 at the
Ranger Trails Campground, located just South of Jackson, Mississippi.
PowWow 2001 proved to be a challenge for commanders and the district
staff as rain fell much of the three-day camp. Despite the rainy
conditions, 39 outpost from around the state slid through the
mud to come together for this much anticipated camp. If PowWow
proved anything, if proved we can survive rain! The rain rendered
the new roads useless making the newly cleared 
campsites very difficult to reach. Several outpost
showed their courage and resilience to reach these sites. 449
attended this year's camp.
PowWow began on Friday,
June 8th. After a week of rain it looked like the sun would come
out and make things tolerable. Outpost began arriving and the
job of finding suitable campsites and parking began. The level
of cooperation was exemplary, in the Royal Rangers tradition.
By Friday evening the clouds rolled in once again just as the
commanders' meeting was concluding. As a result, the council
fire service had to be moved to an alternate site. The rain fell
at a drizzle during the entire service. The staff made preparations
to move the service into the lodge if the rain intensified.
The
mud made the cart races more of a challenge and fun. Each outpost
team had a driver and pushers. The pushers pushed the cart around
the track and changed pushers after each lap. Outpost 4 of First
Assembly of God in Columbus took the first place trophy, while
outpost 64, Crossroads FP Church came in second and New Hope
A/G, outpost 68, came in third. Full Life Church out of Lucedale,
their first year at PowWow, came in first in the tube races.
Outpost 79, New Life A/G, Senatobia came in second and outpost
106, Gulf Coast Worship Center, Long Beach, came in third.
ever popular, Traders' Row, opened in the afternoon.
Everyone enjoyed a taste of watermelon and trading valuables
with members of the Frontiersmen's Camping Fellowship (FCF).
The blacksmith also hammered out some items at the forge.
Thompson, was a comical journey into the Lewis and
Clark Expedition. Kenny Richardson and Ricky Flynt were the stars
of the show playing the parts of Lewis and Clark. Their trek
took them through a "band of Indians" a trading post
where they saw the first "vending machine" (David "P.B.
Bull" Giddens as the 
wooden
Indian) and a meeting with Sacajawea, played by Bruce Pepper.
The hilarious gave way to the more serious as our guest speaker
once again mesmerized the boys with his stories from the Fur
Trade Era. Jacques story of Jon Abiet and the preacher reminded
us of the Love and Grace of Jesus. Many boys responded to the
alter call. Between 120 and 140 boys and leaders took to the
alters during PowWow. District Commander, Wesley Harmon, explained
that this made it all worthwhile.