Boy Scout Camp

 

Nathan and Dawson both went to Boy Scout camp this week.  This is Dawson‘s third year and Nathan‘s first year at camp. Neither one were nervous and both were excited to pack and leave! We’ve been so busy that packing has been a scramble, so I was really hoping we didn’t forget any key items in their bags! They are easy-going boys, and they have gone with the flow this week! There’s been a lot of rain, heavy storms, tornadoes, and sunshine. Can’t wait to see them in a bit!

Here Are Dawson and Nathan all packed up and getting ready to leave for the week. He has a smile on his face and he is ready to go!

The troop carves sticks with the kids name on them. These sticks go at their tent site so they know which boys belong to which tent. Nathan was excited to get his name.

Here are all of the first year scouts. It is a combination of kids from St. Vincent’s Cub Scouts and Leo Cub Scouts.

Nathan‘s tent was with Andrew and Oliver.

It looks a little bit messy and stinky!

I got to come up for family night. Originally it was on Wednesday night, but because of storms, they moved it to Thursday night. The troop always makes 10 or more different types of cobbler over the fire on hot Coles to share with all the families that come visit. It’s fun to hear the boys versions of their experience so far this week and to see their stomping grounds and their tents and where they’ve been spending their time. Nathan had lots to share! And Dawson felt right at home at camp 

Dawson shared a tent with Thanwa one of his good friends.

The gaga ball tournament is a huge deal at Boy Scout camp. You have to sign up ahead of time and create a team and have a team name. They have jerseys and referees! Two teams would compete against each other in a bracket and the last team standing was the winner. Nathan participated and Dawson was an excited observer!

Earlier in the week, the gaga pit filled with water, but it looks like they didn’t stop playing!

The first year Scouts spend a lot of time with Tony their Boy Scout leader, to check off lots of requirements in their book. It’s a little bit boring, but they go through lots of information.

Nathan was signed up for the basketry merit badge. In his mind, he thought it was shooting baskets and playing basketball. When he found out, it was weaving baskets out of twine. I think he was a little bit disappointed!

The campfires are always special. The workers have so much energy and they make camp so much fun.

Tony brought his whole music set up and played music by the trading Post all week. Nathan said it has been such an uplifting thing while they have dealt with all the rain and storms. He really enjoyed Tony’s music.

This is the head worker. He is so animated and so skilled in his role. He makes everybody feel at home at camp and runs things so smoothly. We see him here after year after year. He’s wonderful.

Tuesday night the kids ended up in the storm shelter for some tornado warnings. But Wednesday night, the day we were supposed to have family night. Some major storms came through with tornado watches. They were in the storm shelter for almost 2 hours. A lot of the kids apparently were pretty freaked out. Nathan said he got extra freaked out when they closed the doors of the shelter. In the past they leave the doors open, but this time they closed the doors and they were inside of this dark shelter while the storms and tornadoes raged outside. It was a freaky moment for him. After it was all over, they were told that there was an actual tornado touchdown on the south end of the Camp Chief Little Turtle property. Crazy! 

What a fun week at camp! Can’t wait To pick them up this afternoon!