Scouts do what Scouts do - Scout Camp

This is a great article by The Scoutmaster's Minute.

Advancement is not the only focus of Scouting.  I wish more boys and parents understood this.  These are the best years of boy's lives!  They should have fun while learning!!!

"Bishop pay for my radiator!"

On the way to Scout Camp at 3 AM, my radiator overheated and died.  Luckily I was only 20 minutes from  camp and 5 minutes from town.  We pushed all the boys in another car and went to camp.  Checked in and got them to class to turn around and tow my car to a radiator shop (small town Texas baby!).  They could have really taken advantage of me but it only ended up costing me $250 to fix.  Told the Bishop yesterday to cut a check to pay for my radiator.  I was in the service of my calling; they should pay for it, right?  :)  He just laughed.

I personally take this as a triumph because I could have let it ruin the rest of my day and upset me but we were rolling with the punches all week and we overcame!!  Normally I would have freaked out but not last week.

My son and Scout Camp

My ex wife text me on Sunday before Scout Camp telling me my son was running a temprature of 102 and throwing up.  Later that day she found out her sister died of an overdose.  So with that information she decided my son couldn't go to Scout Camp.  I was extremely upset that she didn't allow him to go especially when with limited text service I got a text from my son telling me that he was at a Ranger Game less than half way through Summer Camp.  I can't help but think that maybe she was trying to screw with me..........but that isn't what this post is about.

I returned on Saturday to all of my kids.  My possession for my bio three started the day before I got home and my wife picked them up for me.  Today, Monday, the Teachers left for Arkansas for High Adventure.  They are going to be hiking about 40 miles.  Last night, I wondered out loud if my son would be interested in going even though he is not yet 14.  He told me he was very interested.  So when the YMP came over for dinner, I asked him if he was willing to take him.  And he was.  And the Scoutmaster was interested too (the Scoutmaster was my assistant).  So late last night he packed and this morning he left with a very heavy backpack and determination in his eyes.

I hope he does well.  I hope he has a great experience.  I hope all the boys do well.  I am grateful for good Scout leaders that will be there with him.

Scout Camp/Twitter

I will be out of the loop for a week as Scout Camp so if you must fill your Varsity needs, please take a look at my Twitter feed.  I am sure I will have some hilarious stuff there...........me dying in the heat will be the first one!

Summer Camp Flies

My son can't go to summer camp due to illness.........

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am kind of sad.

Scout Camp Email Vacation Response

I am away from my email at Scout Camp probably suffering from heat stroke.  Lest you think you can invade my house because I am away, I have left my wife to cuddle my Glock model 22 (.40 cal) while I away.  She is a pretty good shot.  I will return to your email when I recover from heat stroke, file a police report about a home invasion and finished molding the minds of our country's young minds.

Scout Camp is coming..........

Scout Camp is on Monday.  I am excited and not at the same time.

The temperatures are supposed to be in 98 degree range all week.  Guess I will be swimming a lot.  It is interesting that all but one boy going is a Varsity Scout and so I guess it is a good thing I am going.  Coming back to the amount of work I will have is just overwhelming.  I think that is an under-statement too.  BUT that being said, I am going to get us there, checked in, get boys to where they need to be and then relax.  I am going to have fun for a week.  I am going to fish, swim and hopefully take a BSA Lifeguard class.  It will be great to spend long term time with the boys including my son.  I think I have everything I need and everything the boys will forget.  :)

I am sure things will be fine.  I know I am just stressing about stupid stuff.

My Camp box.

All my gear.

Compitition

Scout Camp vs. Asthma Camp.........  Pretty simple decision if it were my kid.

High Adventure vs. Band Camp........  Another pretty simple decision for me.

Scouting is very important in my eyes and especially getting into the outdoors.  The outdoors puts the sparkle into the Scouting program.  It is a classroom without walls and is a laboratory for fun Scouting experiences.  The outdoors strips away the cell phones, the TVs, the game consoles and other distractions this busy world uses to get the attention of the boy.  An outdoor experience stimulates good citizenship through teamwork and opportunities for leadership.  It emphasizes spirituality by bringing young people closer to nature. It connects individuals to the land, helping them develop a bond of respect for, and stewardship of, wild places and wild things.

I am going to Scout Camp for the first time EVER.....

I am going to Scout Camp for the first time ever.  The Varsity Scouts picked a High Adventure time where I am not able to go due to work (for the 3rd year in a row).  So the old Assistant Varsity Coach is going on High Adventure and I am going to Scout Camp as the Scoutmaster.  I am decently excited as about 50% of the Scouts going are going to be Varsity Scouts.  I love my Scouts and love spending time with them!  It is going to be fun.  As for the younger Scouts, guess we will see how they act.  Hopefully the SPL will be able to keep them wrangled and where they are supposed to be with me mentoring them.

I am not excited when it comes to the fact that our Stake has encouraged us when and where to go.  Apparently this is going to be LDS week as this Scout Camp.  I am a little leery of this as they have picked a Scout Camp that is a decent distance away and gas is expensive.  Our Troop (and Ward) isn't the most financially influential in the area and so I am worried.  I also think our Troop should always be able to decide when and where they go without influence from Church officials.

I never went to Scout Camp as a Scout.  All my merit badges were earned the old fashion way.  I still wonder why we never went.  I wonder if the money wasn't there for our Troop though I remember making tons of money selling candy that the Scouts made themselves.  I am a little intimidated about being in charge as well.  Granted I have led more difficult things than this for sure.  But I am concerned about how all the LDS Scouts will act.  Hopefully we share a camp with a good group of kids.  I have heard horror stories about LDS units at Scout Camp.

The best part of this is I will be there with my son.  His mother has granted permission for him to be there and so this will be the first time I have spent a decent amount of time with him.  He is a such a great kid ~ a gentle giant.  And he has sold more than enough Camp Cards to pay for it and is now selling flags to help the Troop.  I am very excited.

NPR - The Summit Bechtel Reserve

NPR.org ran an interesting story on the new Summit Bechtel Reserve.  Check it out!

Scout Camp

My son cut his finger at Scout Camp yesterday with his new knife.  The Scoutmaster also said he seems kind of discouraged that he has to take classes to get him up to speed on his ranks instead of fun merit badges.  This is my letter to him:

B:

Hope your finger is feeling better after you cut yourself.  I will be taking your knife but when you get home we can talk about when you will get it back.  I want to know how you cut your finger so we can make sure it doesn’t happen again.  Don’t worry, you will have it back quickly if you follow the rules of knives. 

I know you classes are probably not all fun.  It is hard sometimes sitting in class when it is so hot.  Please know that by the end of the summer you will be close to, if not, First Class.  The requirements you are working on will set the foundation for your Scouting and you becoming an Eagle Scout.  Just think, I had to sit through those same types of classes and pass off the same requirements you did.  By the time you get this letter, you will only have one day left of classes.  As the scriptures say “Be of good cheer…..”  I never even got to go to Scout Camp.  I had to do most of my requirements at home with Gonny (and it was soooooooo boring). 

I am very proud of you.  Going to Scout Camp for the first time with so much excitement and getting closer to Eagle.  You are a good son.  You make me proud.  I love you very much. 

With Love,

Dad

Sharing a Campsite

This is a great article.  I hope my Team is never the "bad" group.