Scout Camp #1

Wow! It's been a long time since I've posted and I have a LOT of catching up to do. After a wonderful 3 week vacation, it's back to reality. Unfortunately that meant these last few days have been left to a LOT of chores. Apparently, the dust, the bugs, the weeds and the dog poo, didn't take a vacation. I think we are almost caught up though. So, I'll start where we left off...June and Tyler's first Scout Camp.

Let me preface this by saying that had he gone to Scout Camp AFTER our trip, I would have been a wreck and probably NOT let him go! Just this past two weeks there have been TWO boys that have died at Scout related hikes in Southern Utah. And, they just had a black bear scare at Payson Lake which is VERY close to the Scout Camp.

That being said, he had a great time and we are very grateful to the leaders who made it happen. Since we didn't have a lot of notice to get him ready, I didn't have time to get nervous...until about 10:30pm the night before he left. Then I cried and told him to please not get hurt or lost or DIE! We were able to go up on Friday night for the parents night and see the camp, eat dinner with the boys and watch the closing ceremonies. It was really great to be able to be there and a HUGE THANK YOU to my sister who watched my girls for like 5 hours. (That's a lot with my kids) It was fun to see him in that setting and to see how much fun he had, the friends he made and the memories he'll always have. Anyway, there are a ton of pictures. Most of these are courtesy of his Scoutmaster whose wonderful wife encouraged him to take lots of pictures, which he did. Thanks!

All ready to go!

A team unity building exercise I think.

At the bottom

On his way up

At the top

Canoeing Merit Badge Class

I think this was "swamping" a favorite he said.

Wilderness Survival Merit Badge

Hiking to the overnight survival camp. They could only bring what they could carry.

Building their lean-to

A cool stick Tyler found

Rifle Shooting Merit Badge Class

Winning the "Spirit Stick". They had to sing a song or something. I think it had to do with Penguins and the Song "Once There was a Snowman".

Troop 28 and the "Spirit Stick"

Parents Night

Dinner with the boys. They served pork chops, beans, watermelon, cookies and lemonade. Good work boys! (....Kye and Paul)

Closing Ceremonies

The parade of flags coming around the lake over to the campfire/bleachers.

Tyler was one of the flag bearers

The closing ceremonies consisted of skits, awards, a slide show with camp pictures and a patriotic slide show set to music that featured this huge flag. It is two stories tall and is a Garrison sized flag. At the end of the slide show they unveiled this flag and had a few Scouts standing at its base saluting the flag and illuminated by lights. It was pretty impressive.

Not these Scouts...but they let everyone take pictures afterward. Then the parents all headed home. The next morning the boys packed up and headed home.

So, Tyler came home safe, sound and in one piece. Me, one scout camp down and how many bazillion camps and camp-outs to go. I hope my nerves can take it.