The Pow Wow theme was called "Heroes of Faith" with Pastor Brent Buck and our late Sectional Commander John C. Earnest in mind. The 2005 Pow Wow was dedicated to Commander John Earnest and his family.

This year, West Central Section (WCS) - Pow Wow started as usual with "RAIN". Outposts were arriving through out the day (June 3rd) and had to set-up on a wet rainy day.

I think the letters that form the acronym of our section describes it all, W for Wet, C for Confusion and S for Soggy. Did I hear confusion; I think the devil was working overtime on Friday.

The day started out with some confusion on camp site assignments and the there was the issue with parking of the cars, unloading of equipment, and of course the final straw, was the surprise visit during the Friday night Commanders meeting by the irritated Camp Ranger.

Although the devil may have been working overtime, God had other plans in-store for us. Could this have been just a test for us; if so, we all passed with flying colors.

Pastor George Costa, our guest speaker delivered a powerful message to the leaders, after the first blow by the devil with a return one - two punch by God, giving a the devil his do and a black eye.

On Saturday (June 4th) things were beginning to pick up. The weather was beginning to break with a mist of rain during part of the day with an occasional peak from the sun.

The Pow wow events started out the gate (full-steam) ahead and we were all running non- stop. Events were going on all over the campground. We had an Obstacle Courses, Frisbee tosses, Canoe Race's, Fear Factor (just like you would see on TV), Radioactive Isotope, Compass and so on just to name a few. The boy's were saying that this was the best Pow pow ever. O' yea, I forgot the Fishing Tournament with a winning fish a young boy catching a large Pickerel with a thousand teeth and wanted Cmdr. Nick Ruggieri to remove it from his hook. Yea-right! Did I mention the Wanted Poster of someone with a 124 pound Catfish? Did anyone find the person and get the $50,000 reward?

Saturday evening started out with some humor and fun, who can ever forget the peanut butter and jelly sandwich eating contest and skits presented by the boys along with some commanders. We also learned some new hand claps from Cmdr. Mike Barnes. "Good Job"

Our honored guest included many family members of our late Sectional Commander, John C. Earnest. An excellent Pow Wow pageant to pay tribute to Commander John and Pastor Buck was written by David Kaye. Sectional staff, including FCF Scouts gave their remembrances of two great men who have had an influence and have touched the lives of many men and boys. We will never forget them; and their memories will live in our hearts and minds for ever.

From out of no were came this "flaming arrow" that lit our Council Fire. We also had a time of worship with music and songs led by brother Wess, of Bethel Christian Center. What a great worship service!

Then another powerful message delivered by Pastor George Costa, and the all of a sudden, the Holy Spirit fell and came upon us. The seats were emptied and by the end of the night there were over 100 boys down at the bottom of the amphitheater, worshiping, praying, many were crying with tears of joy. Some boy's accepting the Lord for the very first time and making a very special commitment. I know they will never forget this day and the experience they had at that council fire.

Sunday came and so did the sun. The rain clouds all disappeared and made way for a beautiful day. Pastor George Costa delivered another powerful message on "It's not what we take, but what we give". Pastor also shared with us a piece of history (parts from the first plane and a bolt from the World Trade Building attacked on September 11, 2001). The two items was passed around so that each one of us could have a chance to touch a piece of our nation's history.

Afterwards some 70 + trophies and awards were given out. Outpost 50 gave out some special bolo ties to the Sectional staff. Our Pow wow was closed in prayer by our late Sectional Commanders wife Mrs. Helen Earnest.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest appreciation to the staff, and to all the Outposts Commanders of the West Central Section for their continued commitment and support of the Royal Rangers Ministry. It is by everyone's prayers and faithfulness that the Lord blessed us with a wonderful Pow wow.