Part of growing up is learning a bit of class, while still keeping a strong hold on your sense of adventure, which is exactly what the Remote Rover Dinner Party was all about. Saturday, June 16^th, eleven Rovers, one advisor and one non-Scouting guest arrived at a secret location along Nesakwatch Creek in Chilliwack dressed in their best suits, heels and dresses for a dinner party unlike any other.

When everyone had arrived and crossed the creek to get to our Island Paradise (some in boots, others sacrificing their heels and dress shoes to the inevitable wet) we set out our white linen table cloths, non-alcoholic wine glasses, napkins in felt flower rings and dozens of candles as the last of the meal was prepared and warmed. Of course the decorations can’t be described without mentioning the picturesque backdrop and gorgeous handmade wooden chandelier that held a dozen candles.

Each guest was asked to bring a part of the meal and we were not lacking in delicious dishes to choose from! To name just a few, we enjoyed homemade fudge, potato bacon soup and lemon strawberry cheesecake, countless pasta, quinoa and green salads as well as deluxe nachos, dill carrots and a whole salmon, all baked fresh in our fire pit!

Through dinner we attempted a few party games, although the rain again made conversation difficult, but not impossible. We declared Adam the winner of Phrases after he managed to work “can you pass the Sasquatch” and “I never leave home without my Lego collection” into dinner conversation without anyone noticing! As is expected at Rover events, a game of cribbage randomly broke out almost as soon as we arrived to keep those not preparing food well entertained.

Around midnight most of us parted ways, loading up vehicles to convoy back out to the main road and back to warm beds, internet connections and comfortable shoes. Some chose to camp overnight instead of driving home so late, which meant cleanup was done by the well-rested and well-fed few who stayed the night. When we arrived, the site was littered with trash and half-burned cans in various fire pits, but we proudly left it well tended in hopes the next campers would appreciate the site more.

A huge thank you to all those who attended, especially those who helped with prep work, set up, take down and organizing this awesome event. Can’t wait to see you all next year, this was too much fun to only do once! If anyone is interested in visiting this beautiful site, it is located at N49° 05.403 W121° 36.785. (Link is here http://goo.gl/maps/jFpA ) For more information and extra crests for sale, email RemoteRovers(at)gmail(dot)com

And in case you were wondering, yes, the road out was quite flooded by Sunday evening!

- written by Nicholle Penner (edited by Melissa C Nemeth)