Friday, July1, 2011
so close and yet so far from done…

As we are winding down the week there is still considerable work that must be done for the boys to finish up their badges. Having reached Friday I find that generally all in camp have a diminished fuse length leading to an increased level of snippiness. They indicated that they were cancelling the Friday carnival to allow boys more time to finish merit badges. That means that the whole camp could be full of boys with “nothing to do” all afternoon. That could be an unpleasant combination. Acting SM returns from his meeting indicating that many of the scouts are going to have classes Friday afternoon to finish off requirements. Crisis averted.

Alfred “Captain Ahab” Wilhelm went fishing and caught a 6lb catfish. He is very excited. That night before dinner he filets it and fries it up and lets everyone who wants to sample his catch. It is very tasty and many of the scouts enjoy not only a taste but seconds on tastes and the catfish, similar to a chicken bone in a pool of piranhas, is quickly consumed leaving nothing but bones and scales. It was apparently a good day to fish as Carter went also went fishing and caught 2 fish. He also told us “but my Dad didn’t catch any.”

The drivers determined that while they are in their own tents or scattered among the hundreds of acres that are Marriott Scout Camp, the boys are free to smell as they wish. However, hauling said extremely stinky scouts home for 3+ hours is not something we desire and have “strongly encouraged” the scouts to shower today (or find an alternative means of transportation). Since all scouts must be accompanied by an adult to the shower building, David, using the full power of the yellow wrist band, is designated accompanier. He makes 3 trips that day - the return trip being far more olfactory pleasing each time – and earning him the extra cookies from dinner.
We attempted to take a group picture in front of the Camp Marriott sign before dinner. As you can see, we were about 2/3rds of the way there. Right after dinner, the SM headed down to collect the blue cards. We were to meet him at flag retreat. Assistant SM Wilhelm did yeoman’s work cajoling the troops into packing up their tents. Before we left camp, I was able to get this group picture of the Troop and I think we had everyone there! And they were extremely happy to help me by removing their ninja hoods, their bandanas, and tucking in their shirts I can assure you.

We met SM at the flags and he indicated to me that we were missing about 20 cards meaning that he would have an interesting evening attempting to track down whatever was going on with them. When we lined up for flag we lined up towards the right side, towards the campfire location. Rookie mistake. When we headed to the campfire, they started on the left side and led us on a long walk nearly silent walk prior to getting to the campfire meaning we were one of the last troops to enter. To our pleasant surprise, they had added more benches since Monday and everyone was able to sit down. Campfire was a few songs, a few skits (the one making fun of the staff – or more specifically the various areas in camp – aquatics, range, handicraft, and ecology – was pretty good I thought) and with a closing prayer we were back to camp.

Bro. Neuffer was back down again and he provided devotional and then took his grandsons and left. That fortunately allowed us to avoid having to have 3 scouts across any van back seat! That made car assignments much easier as we divided them up as best we could geographically so they could be dropped off at home rather than having to be picked up. We loaded up all the gear except their sleeping bags and pillows so that we could make a fast get away. We also told the scouts checking us out that we would be ready at 5:30am.

SM returned to camp a little after 11 with general success in resolving our prior issues and it appears to have been a pretty successful camp in terms of progress of the scouts. One last time to hit the cots…

David “yellow wristband of power” Mangum told to me that tonight feels a little like Christmas eve he is so excited. I think we are all looking forward to being home.

Heard around camp: Camper one with eye’s wide with excitement “…and after he cut it open, we saw the poop sack and we got to touch it!”

Thursday, June 30, 2011
Same song, next verse….

It was a chilly night last night as my toes will confirm. There were a number of folks who awoke with comments about having a bit of a chill. Scoutmaster has prohibited fire in our camp due to its distracting influence on the youth getting things done they need to get done rather than “tending” to the fire (and by tending I mean finding anything that seems like a fuel source and throwing it into the fire – typically these are smoke producing items). I ask Tall Cedars Troop if I can enter their camp and I enjoy some warm conversation with our old ward mates…not to mention the warmth of their fire. I return to camp when the food arrives.

I think that many of you will hear tales of how the food was not as good as Mom’s (certainly true) and that it was terrible (generally not true), but I can confirm a few things – everyone ate almost every meal, and we had to develop a plan for seconds due to the fact that some folks (generally leaders) were not getting a chance to eat before the ravening masses consumed all the food. So, while they may have negative comments, their actions indicate either a willingness to eat whatever was placed before them, or that they may have, at least at some level, enjoyed the food!

The march to merit badges is continuing. Most of the boys are on track to get most of what they have signed up for but the push for the finish is still necessary.
A strange phenomenon has taken place as I watched as a number of the scouts were involved in a unicorn game which play time lasted well over an hour this afternoon. I am attaching a picture of 3 of the troop members in their “unicorn form.” Jacob Holtom actually made this his photography photo essay (yes, he was passed off on that requirement although I’ll withhold the comment made by his merit badge counselor). I guess it is good that they have such vivid imaginations, but I would be dishonest if I didn’t say it gave me at least a moment’s pause…

Justin and David engaged in a stick flick competition and fortunately no one had an eye put out so it turned out to just be fun and games (the origin of said game is a DEEPLY hidden secret so I’ll have to leave that to your imagination).

Dinner was….wait for it…. late. Of course. Which isn’t a big deal except that we had 4 members of the troop attempting the mile swim at 6:45. The food showed up at ~6:15. It was fajitas and quite tasty if I don’t say so myself. The 4 milers then took off for the water front 15minutes later – most still chewing. Fortunately, I can tell you that all four completed the swim – both of Brother Neuffer’s guests and the two Hamms. It was then time for flag ceremony. I typically enjoy flag, but one of the LDS folks decided to take “a moment” and, well, I guess his time is reckoned in Kolob, but nonetheless we headed back to camp.

Tall Cedars joined us for a “ceremony” for the milers (they had a Schmootz who had completed the mile) which I can only mention involved an oath and a container of Oreos. After our guests returned to their camp, David Mangum then presented the devotional which was led by Miles and Nate H. (communication merit badge requirement…check ).

We had our typical scoutmaster counseling sessions and unfortunately one scout was sick enough that his father came to pick him up (don't worry, he is fine). That required that his SM stay up to make the connection and his assistants stayed up to keep him company. It was an enjoyable conversation, but there will be some tired leaders tomorrow. Till then….