The younger generations of the Lembitu Malev scouting family spent last weekend at Kotkajärve, enjoying winter at its finest while focusing on the Winter Olympics - hence the name of their winter camp. Thanks to a Friday school P.A. day in Toronto, many participants were able to stretch the weekend to three days, thus gaining maximum enjoyment of the time in camp. Some leaders were already up north Thursday evening, hauling the necessary food, water and supplies into snow-bound KJ by snowmobile.
Sunday morning's news was that cross-country ace Kristina Smigun had triumphed at the Torino games, winning gold for Estonia. Lembitu's youngsters - perhaps a future Andrus Veerpalu among them - competed on a much shorter track at Kotkajärve, the back hilled section though, was as demanding as it has ever been. From the left, waiting for the staggered start are Eedu Otsa (#9), Andres Jeeger, Markus Jeeger, Toomas Voitk (#8), Robert Vilde (#7) and Mark Pettinen. Photo: Enno Agur
The snowmachines are the only concession to a decades long tradition of skiing, snowshoeing - or simply hiking into winter camp. They have made the trek somewhat easier, allowing younger Wolf Cubs to join in the fun, as their personal gear no longer needs to individually carried in. Carpenter extraordinaire Peeter Jeeger, the Wolf Cub leader, proudly showed off his mahogany-lined cargo sled, with which the rucksacks and sundry were transported to the Lembitu Village.
The weather could not have been better. Sunshine, providing the vitamin D so missed in overcast and smoggy Toronto dominated the temperate, -5C or so degree weather during daytime. In the evening the mercury plummeted to the mid minus-20's, the crunch and squeak of the snow a welcome reminder of what is real winter in Canada.
Friday's campers were treated to a snowmobile clinic - how they work, how to maintain and repair the machines, and finally how to safely operate them. One of Lembitu's aging snowmobiles co-operated by needing a fuel filter repair; thus an actual hands-on situation added to the experience. Sledding and a welcome saun rounded out the activities of the day.
Andres Jeeger snowboarding
Saturday saw the rest of the campers arrive. Mark Pettinen, the youngest of all the campers, proved his mettle by skiing in almost the entire distance while humping his personal gear, before the snowmobile brigade was alerted to his impending arrival. The traditional flag-raising ceremony opened the camp. The incredible amount of snow at Kotkajärve meant that ski trails needed to be broken in; then a slalom course was laid out at Anton Õunapuu väljak, and the exits of the Peamaja, where the scouts slept were cleared of the heavy snowfall.
Mark Pettinen and a friendly chickadee
Safety issues were paramount throughout. The leadership emphasized the importance of skiing in pairs, and avoiding water bodies - the mild temperatures of January meant that the lakes could not be relied on to be entirely frozen.
The traditional "kolde õhtu" was on Saturday, an hour of songs and skits around the hearth of the Peamaja, led by Enno Agur. Keeping to the theme, Toomas Kütti presented winter Olympic lore and trivia, emphasis on hockey. Don Cherry shoulda been there… A fireworks display that lit the crisply cold evening sky was an apt finale to a fun evening.
Sunday was race day - and before the cross-country skiers could tackle the 2.5-km racetrack a welcome cheer was raised - Kristina Smigun's triumph at Torino earlier that day provided patriotic pride and inspiration for the competitors.
The camp was efficiently organized, the kitchen superb (credit to the two Toomases, Marley and Kütti for the balanced and hearty meals) and the camaraderie beyond compare. Enno Agur closed the camp at the flag lowering, thanking Taevaisa for the wonderful winter weather. Another winner for Lembitu Malev.
