Summer Camp Report

Summer Camp 2009 has come and gone. Here are the highlights:

1. We arrived around 6pm on Friday evening. Our pack had apparently offended the Cub Scout bureaucracy, because we found ourselves assigned to the campsite farthest from everything. This meant a pretty long hike to meals and to our activities.

2. After check in we hit the pool for the swimming test. If you've been reading my blog, you I've been working hard to improve my swimming skills so I could pass the swimmer test at camp. Well - I passed the test. Nick's been working on his swimming this year and he was able to pass the beginner's test, which was a surprise to me. I was very proud of him. The downside to the swimming test was that it was cloudy and about 60 degrees - brrrrrr.

3. With the swimming test complete, we settled into our campsite for the night. The boys played games with the some of the camp staff while the adults hung out. Due to the drought, we were not able to have a campfire, which was a drag.

4. Activities started early on Saturday morning. After breakfast we went to the corral for pony rides. Nick had an awesome pony named Toppy. He loved it. A scout from another pack was thrown off of his pony, but fortunately wasn't injured.

5. The next event was the swimming pool. Well, it was another cold day. I doubt it was 60 degrees when we swam. The pool was well-heated, but getting out really sucked.

6. After swimming was boating. We paired up with another father and son for a row boat trip. It was chilly and windy (see above), but we had a nice time.

7. Next up was lunch and free time. We should have rested during free time, but the kids played games and some of us dads threw a football around.

8. After free time we went to the archery range. We determined that Nick is right-handed, but left-eye dominant. (Just like me.) I had him shoot left-handed. He did well with the aiming and shooting, but the poor kid really struggled knocking arrows and getting ready to fire with his wrong hand.

9. Next was the BB gun range. Nick was probably the most excited for this activity. I had him shoot left-handed again, but the results weren't as good as with the bow. Fortunately he wasn't discouraged and is eager to try it again.

10. After BB guns was yet another trip to the pool. Sadly it wasn't any warmer this time than the two previous trips to the pool. However, like all good scouts, we refused to let a little thing like frigid weather ruin our swim.

11. After dinner the camp staff put on a campfire and show with lots of skits. They put on a great show and it was a lot of fun.

12. Upon returning to camp, the kids played more games with the camp staff. Some of us dads were dragged into a game called "Army/Navy" which was advertised as not involving a lot of running, but actually consisted of nothing but running and diving on the ground. The fact the guy running the game was a sadistic 15-year-old Boy Scout didn't make it any easier on us old guys. I have several bruises on my knees from the game.

13. Sunday morning consisted of crafts, skills, and a nature walk. For crafts, Nick built a cool rubber band powered paddle boat. For skills, he learned to tie some knots and casting a fishing rod. During the nature walk he learned to identify some plants and played a live action game of Oregon Trail (remember that computer game?). The kids were all dragging by this point, but they had fun. I should mention that the weather on Sunday was sunny and warm. Were we schedule to use the pool? Of course not. Sigh.

14. Before we could have lunch we had to clean or campsite and get ready to leave. The same sadistic Boy Scout from the Army/Navy game was in charge of inspecting our camp. We eventually were cleared for lunch and departure.

15. We got to do free choice events before we left. Nick and his friend Henry chose to ride ponies again. I was happy to see the sadistic Boy Scout off doing some unpleasant looking stable cleaning chores. Karma, dude. Karma.

So that was camp. It was a great time. I would have happily stayed for a couple of more days (particularly if they were sunny and warm) and Nick would have been happy to move in permanently. I have a lot of admiration for the staff and they really have inspired me to try some things to become a more effective Cub Scout leader.

I didn't take many photos of just Nick, but here are two:

Nick riding a pony on Sunday afternoon. Notice the blue skies.

Nick showing off his rubber band powered paddle boat:

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