May tomorrow, be a perfect day....

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Around 4:30 am our survivor returned to camp.  He said it may be his worst night ever as first their shelter collapsed and so they went to sleep by the fire, which went out when the rains came down.  Apparently the leaders of the event didn’t want to sleep in the rain either since 4:30 am seems just a wee bit early to break camp and head for home. 

Well, I think Marriot has outdone itself this time.  Our breakfast consists of just cold cereal and oranges.  Hmm. The rant in my head is a good one.  Further inquiry leads me to the conclusion that other troops had eggs and ham.  Hmm.  Seems like maybe we had Boy Scout error involved in our meal today.  Either way, with Bro. Baker gone even the leaders will subsist on Frosted Flakes this morning.

The rain last night seems to have been light and is helping to keep the dust down this morning.  A fairly large contingent of scouts actually head to the showers on their own.  I’m not sure if I should be appreciative or concerned about the apparent cleanliness fetish of our younger generation.  Then again, they were sleeping 6 in one tent and more than one of those scouts were taking the “onion” smell to a level unreached since John Evan’s hit that old dead skunk years ago (see 2007 blog post).   We have by the scout’s count had at least 3 brown recluses and 1 black widow found in tents.  My count would be at least slightly lower than that.  I think my count must be more accurate or I do think they would have lost quite a few more scouts at this point than would be allowed by law (scout or otherwise).

There is some action – assuming you are taking a merit badge requiring action.    Those who are not enjoy another day of class and another class closer to receiving their patch.  Early afternoon thunder closes the water front and the shooting range.  A pall is cast over the camp, but most our boys are off the water in the afternoon anyway. 

Most meal times resemble something out of Lord of the Flies, except that they do manage to generally wait until a prayer is offered before breaking into feeding frenzy mode.

Most of the scouts are taking Citizenship in the World.  They have to do one of two items.  One of which we are told is “talk to a foreign scout.”  Many of our scouts claim to have done that.  Upon further investigation we find that the requirement is actually “Visit with a student or Scout from another country and discuss the typical values, holidays, ethnic foods, and traditions practiced or enjoyed there.”  Fortunately, our foreign guest scout agrees to hold a discussion with the rest of the scouts about such matters.  We learn that the UK is one of the only countries that doesn’t have an independence day.  We hear about a holiday where because someone wasn’t able to blow up parliament he was burned at the stake so to speak so every year they celebrate by burning him in effigy – and there is a song, which neither the Scout nor Sam would sing for us.   We learn of  local cuisine referred to as “fish and chips” and “bangers and mash.”  Feeling quite multiculturally enriched, the boys return to sharpening sticks.

A few years back I swam the mile with Nate.  That year the camp was obscenely crowded and most of the camp decided to swim the mile.  No one drowned, but maybe they did and it just wasn’t discovered till weeks later.  Since that time they have made some changes to the mile swim experience.  In order to qualify for the patch you also have to participate in 4 hours of training, so you have to take a class.  Taking a mile swim class means at least on less merit badge so we did not encourage our group to do that.  When we show up for the swim, they tell us that the kids in the class go first – and they go out as buddies and are each assigned a boat to row next to them.  Seems a little overly cautious to me, but I’m not in charge.  Fortunately, my buddy Ty and I are able to get a boat!  Spoiler alert – we made it.  My camp experience concludes as I complete the mile swim with Tyler!  Can’t think of a better way to wrap up my week.  It will be a late night drive home, but well worth it.

I’ll miss the last two days and 3 nights of camp, but I’m sure your boys will bring home to you the stories I couldn’t.  Things such as – were they able to get enough signal to watch the soccer game?  I’m glad to have had the chance to spend with the boys.  They are a good group of youth all well on their way to the rank of Eagle.  I’m especially grateful to those adult leaders who were able to support the trip, especially Scoutmaster White. 

Till next year…