Barbarossa District Zombieland Fall Camporee

Be Prepared – for Anything! Barbarossa District Takes on Zombieland

What happens when the Scout motto meets a fictional zombie outbreak? A camporee filled with outdoor skills, teamwork, and Halloween fun!

Barbarossa District’s fall camporee brought Scouts and adult volunteers to McCully Kaserne in Ingelheim am Rhein for a Zombieland-themed adventure. Behind the Halloween atmosphere was a familiar Scouting purpose: helping young people develop their skills, confidence, and judgment to be prepared.

The program connected practical Scout skills to an imaginative survival story. First-aid, navigation, rescue, emergency water, and weather activities encouraged patrol members to demonstrate “scout spirit” via solving problems together while providing opportunities for individual Scouts to sharper their EDGE.

The theme added a playful twist to important lessons. How would a patrol help an injured survivor? Which supplies would matter most during an evacuation? What would make a water source unsafe? When should changing weather trigger a change of plans? The emphasis was on communication, sound decisions, and looking after one another.

There was plenty of room for fun, too. An inflatable obstacle course gave Scouts an energetic challenge, while Venture Crew 107 created a haunted house that brought an extra dose of Halloween excitement to the camporee.

Older Scouts had opportunities to take on teaching and leadership roles, helping fellow Scouts practice skills and build confidence. Advancement opportunities were incorporated into the activities, with individual demonstrations kept separate from patrol participation.

Led by Margot Benn, with Sam Bunton serving as co-lead, the event depended on cooperation among troop leaders, youth leaders, families, and volunteers. The Senior District Executive, Rodney Henk, was also on site to support smooth execution throughout the event.

Thank you to everyone who contributed time, equipment, instruction, and enthusiasm—and a special thank-you to Venture Crew 107 for creating the haunted house.

The zombies may have been fictional, but the teamwork, learning, and Scouting spirit were real. Barbarossa District’s Scouts put the motto into action: Be Prepared!