VERNON - With gladiator training, erupting Mount Vesuvius volcano and toga races, local Girl Scouts from Howland / Vienna Service Unit 807 took part in the annual Camporee with a theme of ancient Rome.
The event was held at Camp Sugarbush. The Scouts were instrumental in keeping the camp open this year even though Scouting headquarters planned to close it.
The weekend event included gladiator training, archery, pop volcanoes and decorating poles for the colosseum.
Barb Rosenblum, camp coordinator, said this is the 15th annual fall Camporee, which has a different theme each year.
The theme was "Roman in the Sugarbush," with 165 participants making head dresses and shields, taking part in volcano experiments, and creating Roman graffiti for columns for the colosseum.
''We have seven different stations all with an ancient Rome activity,'' Rosenblum said.
Rosenblum said the weekend event is designed to introduce students to camping away from home with educational and fun activities .
Rosenblum said the activities include making cakes that look like Mount Vesuvius erupting.
Taylor Honsaker of Howland said she learned how people lived thousands of years ago.
"I thought it was really interesting to have the Scouts learning about Roman history and different things they did then,'' she said.
She said the gladiator training and obstacle course were the most challenging activities.
Lindsey Shrodek of Howland said learned what takes place in the arena such as jousting and duels.
Sydney Whipkey said what she liked was looking for crayfish and fish in the nearby creek and and putting graffiti on the poles as part of building the colosseum.