Cooking Stew
Scouts in Troop 7 were required to demonstrate survival skills. We practiced tying knots, fishing, first aid, building fires and cooking...all things that would help us in emergencies. Through a system of demonstrations, we could earn merit badges. Tom Kobayashi, our scoutmaster, would arrange weekend forays to lake and mountain campgrounds where we could test ourselves.
James Pipkin, the caretaker at Maryknoll, frequently accompanied us on one trip to Denny Creek near Snoqualmie Falls. Every scout carried tents, sleeping bags, first aid kits, extra clothes and food as we hiked up the trail to the campgrounds. All inner-city kids, we didn't have much experience with wilderness survival. One of our tests on this trip was to cook stew from scratch.
We pitched tents, gathered wood and water. Before dinner, Tom and Mr. Pipkin had us peel potatoes, dice up meat and vegetables. We broke out our cooking kits and placed the ingredients over the fire. We stirred, watched and waited as the stew boiled...the smells beckoning our hunger. Impatient, I spooned mine into my plate and dived in. The meat was chewy... the potatoes hard as the rocks I sat on. Starvation awaited.
Mr. Pipkin came over and tested my concoction. "It needs to cook a little longer." he explained taking my plate and returning the makings to the pot. He stirred it calmly and slowly, adding a little salt and pepper. "Stew takes time. There's no hurry." An hour later, I dished up a plate of the best stew ever and never forgot his kindness.
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