Troop 804 - Summer Camp 2010

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  

Hello T804 Families!

Well, we made it back, and as I promised, I brought back everyone I took and they're all different and I like to think, better and have grown at least a little (except for me - I'm getting too old as it is...) I think the most memorable thing for me is to reflect on the growth and progress I've seen in the 7 summer camps I've attended with these Scouts. I've seen this is every single one of them and I'll soon bring some photographic proof (after I get the film developed - yeah, I can't seem to make a digital camera work...) from the very first summer camp to show you so you may see for yourselves.

When you ask your Scout how it went, listen closely to what's behind or between his words. You will note some new found confidence, mention of some improved friendships (or new ones) and maybe even some comment on some fun that was had, and oh yes, perhaps some merit badges or rank advancement as well.

As I mentioned today, the credit belongs completely to the 8 guys who sacrificed a week of their own time to make this happen - Dan Schindler, Shane Keating, Dave Shade, Doug Fish, Neil Kindness, Dave Dowling, Brian Hufker and T804's resident strong right arm, Jay Wilen. They made it all happen, especially when the camp had some shortcomings in program or staffing and your sons reaped a windfall of benefits. I will confess that one of the best things, next to the smiles on the Scouts' faces, was the time we spent together late in the evening after the boys were all in their bunks. We solved all the world's and Scouting's problems, figured out how to make the troop work better and certainly enjoyed a lot of laughter. It would be tough to top the camaraderie. It always, for me, seems to be so at summer camp. I KNOW that I am the envy of all the other Scoutmasters in camp, to have this kind of adult leadership present. They do the work, I make sure my bunk doesn't float away - we'd hate to be charged for a lost bunk.

May you (and your sons) relive this week of fun by revisiting our blog many times. See how many new things you can find each time. As always, your feedback is desired and welcome.

Sincerely,

Steve Judson, SM, T804

posted by Steve Judson at 7/3/2010 7:06:28 PM

Enjoy these short videos. We hope you will be able to play them! If your computer won't play them, you may want to try "Media Player Classic", available by clicking here. To install on a Windows machine, download the file, double-click the file mplayer.zip, and run (double-click) the file "Mplacerc.exe". To install on a Mac computer, call Mr. Shane!

Warning: the files are large

posted by All at 7/3/2010 2:01:33 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


Back home, TGIF is "Thank God It's Friday". At Camp, TGIF is "Totally Great Incredible Friday".

The last full day is busy with Scouts trying to finish merit badges, saying good-bye to new friends, and making last minute trips to Wawa (ie. the Trading Post).

After a great week of Camp, the eleven first-year campers graduated and received their diplomas (white parachute "Cord of Enthusiasm").

The "Lost Pines" group carried their rafts and diplomas to their graduation ceremony in 6 inches of water. They all passed and had a great week.

The rifle range, pool, ecology, and handicraft areas were busier than Grand Central Station during lunchtime.

The day ended with a terrific campfire and a Troop 804 exclusive "Watermelon Feast" for a job well-done.

posted by Jay Wilen at 7/2/2010 8:54:15 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

Four days down, one to go. Everyone here is doing great. The food has been tasty if a little disorganized but everyone is getting as much as they want. At this point in the week, most of the Scouts are focused on finishing up merit badges and trying to spend whatever money they have left. The First Year Campers have each completed three merit badges (most in the Troop so far!) and celebrated with a first-year-camper only campfire and smores party. Some of the older Scouts completed a "Brotherhood Conversion" for the Order of the Arrow, marking their advancement in Scouting's honor society. The weather was again absolutely fantastic and has really helped folks along.

Most importantly, the boys are doing well - ready to come home but having a great time. Camp is full of laughter and smiles, although the tents smell ... - well, you will find out soon enough when you get the laundry.

The adults have enjoyed talking to all your sons and rest assured they are all doing very well.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/1/2010 7:59:50 PM

Hi all - the "Comments" system should now be working... sorry for any problems if you tried to post a comment and got an error message!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/1/2010 8:11:41 AM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

I will attempt to give you readers the best sensory descriptions:

The smell of the rifle range.
The sight of Mr. Jay with his clipboard and Mr. Beaver.
The sound of "There's lots to do, little time to do it, so let's clean up! Thump!"
Not bad but maybe this one will be better.


The smell of class "A" uniforms.
The sight of steel belts.
The sound of an air compressor.
No! That's not it!


The smell of Scout crafts wood smoke.
The sight of "our" boys in class "A" uniforms at the flag ceremony.
The sound of the song birds to wake us each morning.
Yeah, I like this one.



P.S. A couple of other updates: the first-year Scouts are doing awesome. They are finishing merit badges, having fun, and learning a lot about Scouting - and themselves. Tonight the Troop hosted a campfire attended by several other Troops (some of the pictures are from that campfire). The older Scouts participating in the "Lost Pines" adventure spent the day kayaking and returned about 9:30pm. Everyone is doing very well and, just like back home, the weather today was absolutely perfect. Also, we heard that the "Comments" feature on the blog was not working and we will try to get it fixed ASAP. - Dave Shade

posted by Dave Dowling at 6/30/2010 8:48:00 PM