Capture the Moments

Scout Camp

There's nothing like showing up early in the morning to a camp located at 10,400 ft where you can barely get your breath just getting out of the car, and then plunging into an ice cold lake as soon as you arrive. Actually the lake was warmer this year than it's ever been thanks to the wimpy winter. All the boys (and the scoutmaster) passed the swim check, which was better than I expected. Sam Baldwin, who could only dog-paddle, passed partly because the lifeguards almost refused to help him out until he finished.

Our site was Picturesque, on the far west side of camp right next to our own private pond. It's more secluded than other sites. It's nice to not have noisy scouts from other troops interrupting our own noise.

The view from Picturesque

Our troop had by far the best cheers at morning announcements. They won the spirit stick twice with cheers poached from Camp Big Springs. I was also impressed with the level of leadership from Spencer Jorgensen, our senior patrol leader. My job was so much easier because I didn't have to crack the whip or provide the enthusiasm to get them to participate in all the activities. Every boy in our troop worked hard and earned at least 4 merit badges.

Steiner song cheer

I did lots of hiking up to Lofty Lake and Paul's Point when the boys were in class. I went up with each of the other leaders that came. We took the boys one time too.

Adam Blank, Charles Reid, Noah Lamont, Sam Baldwin, Kayden Staker and me

Meals were unspectacular but the boys were good about cooking and cleaning up. I forgot to bring butter so Kraft mac and cheese had to be improvised. But they ate everything and didn't complain. My dutch oven cobbler was a mixed success. It cooked much better in the shallow oven than the deep one.

We had to use a propane fire ring because campfires were not allowed this year. It doesn't put out near as much heat as a real fire but it didn't seem like a real camp without it.

Everyone in the troop went on the Wilderness Survival campout. They had grand plans to build a big cabin for their shelter but Matt Staker and I pointed out that all the weight of the roof was bearing on one scrawny little stick. They ended up with a less dangerous and structurally sound fort to sleep in.

Spencer directing construction of the fort

Our troop won the Mountain Man relay on Tuesday, so I thought I'd try it on Friday, Iron Man version wherin one contestant does all the stations solo. I was wearing my crocs because I didn't want to get my boots wet. I ran to the first station, archery, and picked up my bow. I have never handled a compound bow before and it showed. It was a little embarassing to be told "You're holding it upside down". It took me several minutes to figure out how to shoot my arrows, none of which hit the target only 20 yards away. After that debacle I sang "I'm a little teapot" as penalty for missing and headed back up cardiac hill. I passed a staff guy on the way to the rope station, quickly tied a bowline and headed to the rifle range. The other staff guy in my heat was already there and I thought I could pass him. I took a deep breath, aimed my .22, controlled my breathing and squeezed the trigger. Nothing happened. "Where's the damned safety on this thing?" I'm afraid I said aloud. I finally hit my clothespin on my third shot and tried to make up time on the run to the ampitheater. I jumped in a canoe and started gaining on the staffer about 20 yards ahead of me. Then the wind came up and spun my canoe around almost 180 degrees. That ended any chance of catching him, and I was happy to finish with a time of 17:09. I'll get them next year.