Rat Island Camp-Out

David Unruh

During CNY break, the clean air smelled of salt. The day was bright with no clouds in sight. All the boys gathered around the kayaks for one last inspection of the equipment and food. After prayer, and final goodbyes, the intrepid adventurers pushed the kayaks out onto the dancing waves for an unforgettable endeavor.

The eleven boys had been planning this trip for a whole semester; with preparations involving food coordination, personnel coordination, and weather reading, Scott Poulter (the assistant dorm parent) was the backbone of the whole operation. He had agreed to chaperone the group of rowdy students. He also coordinated the use of the Boy Scout sleeping mats, tarps, and the first aid kit. Poulter, being an alumnus of Dalat, is a veteran rat island explorer and has valuable experience in survival on the island.

When the boys arrived on the island, they were immediately thrust into survival mode as the crew was attacked by a vicious serpent. Josiah Brake (12) stood guard on a nearby rock as Scott Poulter, with his quick thinking and reactive skills, dispatched with the deadly snake. Poulter recalls the experience saying, “My first priority was to keep the boys safe. I just had to do my job. Do I think I'm a hero for it? No, I was just protecting the lives of those boys.” Thankfully everyone survived the incident with no injuries. After an uneventful time setting up camp, the boys set to the task of making a three-course dinner. During this time, many different culinary tastes came out. Charcoal covered hot dogs and grilled fish skins were the first course of the meal. To wash it down, a scrumptious and generous amount of tomato soup was provided. Then came the fluffy pancakes, baked to a puffy, light brown perfection by Scott.

After the hearty meal, the crew went for a late night adventure to the top of the rocks to watch the Chinese New Year’s fireworks display. Finally, after an evening filled with conversation, the group headed to their respective areas for sleep. Some went to sleep in the lighthouse, some to the dock, others to their tents, and the rest spent the night in hammocks that they had previously strung up. Benjamin Mauger (12) recalls, “I didn't sleep very well. I kept waking up and falling asleep again. However, listening to the waves in the early morning was so beautiful and peaceful.”

After a rather chilly night, all the boys woke up to watch the sunrise before packing up. Each one of them with a new, unique perspective of Rat Island. After a thirty-minute camp cleanup, the boys were back on the calm water heading back to the hustle and rushed routine of school.