sehammblog: Camp Rock Enon – Day One continued

Is it Wednesday?
On location from Camp Rock Enon
Embedded Civilian Report - August 3rd

After class we head to lunch. Lunch is a little different in that it is "rotating" lunch, so you don't gather in troops and such as before. However, no one seemed to know that so it ended up being more like a breakfast entrance.

There is a pretty decent salad bar. We also got Jello! If you don't like what they are having – tuna salad or ham – there are jars of peanut butter on the table and packets of jelly and always a loaf or two of bread so you can eat PB&J if you want.

After lunch we head up to camp. Typical camps have green tents set up on a frame with a couple cots in them. At this campsite there were a few tents and then about 4 little buildings. They were about the size of a large garden shed with two bunkbed cots on each side – so they would hold 4 people. The front was open to what would be used as a brick fire place but some of which were in disrepair. There were no windows in the huts. Most of us changed into swimsuits and headed down to the lake for our swim test. Everyone who took it passed. The water was warmer and colder in spots. Apparently from warm springs that feed the lake. Or scouts who…. never mind. The water felt refreshing, not too cold and not smelly. Sweet.

Having had some conversations with people in camp, Doug found out that another troop had signed up and not shown leaving another camp with enough tents for our troop. Almost. He was also told that the little brick buildings got very hot since there was no breeze. I was also concerned because when we had to change for swimming, the red brick had no privacy since there were no front doors or flaps to close so they had to change in the latrines. Not that fun (remember, it is the end of the year for them, the latrines are quite full by now, and it was hot – not a pretty picture). So we decided to move to the other camp. As for not quite having enough tents….

We had enough tents for all the boys and for the two permanent leaders. Meaning, I had no place to sleep. Actually, I had two options. Option one was to have the camp supply a pup-tent I would sleep in. Option two was that the site had what they called a lodge on it and two of the leaders from the other troop were sleeping in it and I could sleep with them. I told Doug I'd take a look. When I opened the door I saw a computer and a printer – along with bunks for about 20 people. There were two people in there. Hmm. It was clearly weather proof. Not as nice as a view of the stars and a little warmer than the outside temps. Um, I'll take door number two, tell those nice camp folks not to worry about trying to find another tent for me….. Surprisingly, I didn't get any shots of the lodge to show you it wasn't really all that nice. You will have to take my word for it.

Doug went down and after having to noticed that his truck apparently had amorous feelings for the fence on the bridge going into camp (what other explanation can there be when the fender kisses the guard rail?) we get the gear all up to camp.

After lunch there is a siesta – lunch is at 12:15 and the next class is at 2. We spent that time getting camp set up – again. Everyone seemed pleased with the change, with the possible exception of the troop that was having to share the campsite with us. They were actually very accommodating and nice for the most part. The new camp is called Pinecrest. This has promise for a couple reasons. Crest would seem lower than either summit or top and if there are pine growing, it is at least below the timberline! It turns out to be quite close to the main area although up a fairly steep path to get there.

At 2:00 I went down with 4 of the boys to Rock Climbing. The area director asked if any of the leaders wanted to be instructors in training. I raised my hand, what the heck. We spent the next 90 minutes learning to tie knots. One of the requirements for the boys is to carry a piece of equipment with them all week. They gave them rope. They also gave the IIT's a red rope. Ask me to tie a figure 8 with a break for you some time. After two hours of knot tying I headed back to camp while the boys went on to another class.

I arrive in camp to find Doug in quiet conversation with a red puffy eyed scout. Sometimes it is tough to be away from home. We are thankful for the Lodge where we can go to have some privacy while three of the leaders give him a blessing.

Dinner time is Class A uniforms. The staff retire the colors as drum and bugle accompany once again. With the push of getting everyone in class over, blue cards all delivered, and camp set up nearly complete, the beautiful setting with camp in Class A's, the lake in the background, and the evening sky overhead combine to serve is a reminder of just why it is so great to get to camp.

Of course, the firing of that cannon was quite a surprise. In order to get in you have to get in a circle grab random hands and unwind. Our troop is large and appear to have lost all capacity for rational thought. We split into two groups in hopes of better results. The group with the older scouts fakes it and is granted entrance. The group with mostly younger scouts struggle to regain mental acumen necessary to complete the task. I consider my options and obligation to help – realize they have two other leaders helping them at the moment, and follow the older group in. The younger ones I believe are the last group in the dining hall. Dinner is edible. Mostly.

We return to camp and Doug, who despite planning to leave early morning, is still there, is in quite conversation with another red puffy eyed scout. We once again retire to the Lodge. This is a little odd for a Monday. The homesickness typically hits closer to Tuesday or Wednesday. I check my watch. Hmm. No, it is Monday. I have a theory that part of the issue is that in most classes on day one it is paperwork and lecture. The fun stuff will really start tomorrow. They have forgotten what it is like to be in school and to have sit and listen and they didn't think scout camp would be like school.

Doug finally bids us farewell and we head down to the Campfire. As with most Scout camp campfires, there is a long progression to the campfire area. There are the typical wooden posts with not particularly comfortable wood planks over the top of them for sitting on – outdoor bleachers if you will. As you get closer to the area, there are staff members giving you the sign – the scout sign – and so a relative hush and calm fall over the campers as they come in to sit down. However, given the "costumes" and props being held by many staff, it isn't exactly a reverent group that sits down. The program director made a few comments in welcome and then it all broke loose. Staff came running from all directions acting like people who have been keep the woods for 8 weeks with nothing but camp food to eat and hundreds of 11-17 year olds to interact with. Wait. Maybe that explains it….. They fire a "cannon" from each side which is quite loud. Along with all the screaming and other chaos I note a few items that were very peculiar to me – first, there are a number of the staff throwing smoke balls onto the sand in the stage area. Secondly, at the back of the state area there are a couple of fireworks fountains emitting a "shower of sparks and reports." And finally, they are lighting the two log pyramids at either side of the stage and I notice that I can read "Sparklers" on a box tucked into the fire. Hmm. I guess my fireworks comment to the boys is sounding a little hollow at the moment.

The insanity calms to a more typical frenzy level and the cheers commence. Best as I can tell, the idea is generally to get the scouts to yell as loud as they can in the hopes that they will go back to camps hoarse enough that even if they stay up all night talking, hopefully it won't keep the scoutmasters awake. As the yelling is going on a projectile erupts from the left fire. If you have ever played with fireworks, which I'm not saying I have, but assuming that one had, it reminded me of when you throw a "blooming ground flower" or "jumping jack" into the air and it flies. It took off into the air at a rapid velocity, made a quick wide ark and flew into the woods. Staff ran over and made sure it was out. Well, that was sure exciting.

It is now time for the Camp Director to make a few comments. Everyone calls him Pooh. I have no idea what his real name is, but I can guess why they call him Pooh. I'll try to get a picture tomorrow. Not far into his comments and additional projectile comes wizzing out of the left hand wood stack. This one heads toward the crowd and then turns left and exits stage left. Pooh and Gary (the very hard core rock climbing director) are not at all amused. I think the line Pooh used was "There is funny and then there's stupid. That was stupid." They ask if that is all of "them" since none of us really know what "them" are. Not getting a quick answer, they tear down the fire pyramid and extinguish the fire. Mostly. As a reminder to all the scouts about fire safety, the fire heats back up at least 3 more times and has to be be put out again. The right side fire, which was struggling to get started (hmm, does that happen at all scout campfires?) never got lit.

The skits are the usual fare, and I hear some complaints from the older scouts about the lack of new material. The program director does the final skit and the prostrations and writhing about were really something to behold. Unfortunately, video cameras are not allowed and the production video is not yet available. At least that is my story, I'm sticking to it.

The campfire concludes and we make our way back to camp with most of the scouts having remembered to bring their flashlights even though it was light when we left. Scoutmaster Haseldon presents devotional tonight. I would report on what was covered but spent most the time talking to a red puffy eyed scout. This is young group, but I think we are going to make it. Taps plays at 10. Having gotten up early, most the scouts are glad to go to bed and sleep. Tomorrow is should be somewhat easier to everyone. A few random shots from camp today – hopefully you see that your son made it to camp.