Troop 804 - Summer Camp 2012 Henson Scout Reservation, Rhodesdale, Maryland

We've reached the end of the Summer Camp 2012 blog!. Neal has recognized most of the adults below, but we should also remember of course his tireless contributions - up with the first group, down with the last, and on the go all day in-between. Neal likes to say that Scouters don't always like to color "in the lines" and so it is up to him to figure out how to keep moving those lines as we color, or to look at the mess we've made and somehow call it "art". Thank you Neal!!!!

It was another great year of Summer Camp! We hope you enjoyed the blog and be sure to mark 9/25/2012 on your calendar, when we will recognize the achievements of Summer Camp at our Court of Honor.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/15/2012 10:58:30 AM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


Another Troop 804 summer camp comes to a close and I’m challenged to provide a short comment for the blog, there are so many activities packed into the week and a seemingly endless supply of stories about your scouts.

As usual the week was punctuated by superlatives:
-The most (scouts, fish, mail, merit badges, photos in our blog history, etc.)
-The first (song by a troop, to finish a merit badge, time a scout had ever tried something, etc.)
-Comments by staff and others (the most courteous, the best behaved, the most attentive or engaged, most trustworthy, most appreciative)

Our scouts demonstrated the Scout Oath and Law on an hourly basis. I personally witnessed countless acts of kindness, thoughtful gestures, courage in the face of fear, willingness to help, dedication to their fellow scouts and the Troop, etc. These are the real gems for me.

T804 has attended a different summer camp every year since its founding and each camp has it’s unique offerings and personality. Camp Henson was at or near the top by many measures and our scouts took advantage of all the camp had to offer; outstanding service by their staff to our needs, the best climbing tower we’ve ever used including a night climb, nearly full-time open-shooting at the rifle range, ‘our Troop only’ usage of the shotgun range, motor boats for tubing, kayaks, canoes, night swim at the pool, mile swim, and who can forget the Scout Shop. Last but not least plenty of great food and ice.

Much of the success of the summer camp experience is due to the truly incredible efforts of our youth and adult leaders. Nick Caddenhead, Senior Patrol Leader, handled the week in stride. This leadership responsibility is on par with that of the adults. He is first up around 6:00 AM, organizing and delegating all day, followed by PLC and leadership meetings into the last hours of the day. It’s Nick and his staff who have to deal with most scout to scout conflicts, morale or homesickness, mail call, planning decisions, scheduling, etc.

Ted Durig started on this project over six months ago and had dozens of hours invested before we even left for camp. His tireless coordination and advocating on our behalf at camp made our experience vastly more enjoyable. Ted’s transmission broke while transporting one of our scouts to the hospital, He returned to camp as scheduled and didn’t miss a beat.

Dave Shade was tireless in his efforts to organize, plan, execute, and recognize or reward our scouts. He spent upwards of 12 hours each day working and walking with our 1st year scouts and only then started the nightly process of producing the blog. All of his evenings ended after 1:00 AM, most later. Dave can be counted on to have a ready prize, game, or specific piece of information.

Doug Fish is as steady and constant as they come. His knowledge of and experience within BSA is one of the deepest within our troop. He manned the Nature station this year (our busiest station) and still managed to lend his vast shooting sports expertise at the ranges.

Tom Milley spent hours wearing a harness and/or tied to a rope at the climbing station. He shared his experience and enthusiasm for climbing with our scouts including numerous ‘open’ and one ‘night climb’ in the dark. The camp was happy to have the assistance of an experienced certified climber.

Ric Gardner worked the pool which sounds great, but he spent hour after hour in the water as a coach, life guard, demonstration victim, etc. as our scouts worked through their aquatics badges. He then returned to camp to teach knots and hunting laws to more of our scouts.

Scott Owen requested assignment to shooting sports this year and provided the coaching our sons needed to improve their shots. Hour upon hour of standing on the ranges observing and administering his soft spoken suggestions. Scott developed a neck problem from our luxurious sleeping arrangements, drove home to seek treatment and returned hours later to pick up where he left off.

Dave Dowling was assigned to Scout Craft and spent his days working with our scouts pursuing Camping and Cooking. In his “off hours” Mr. Dave has become the trusted health care provider for our sons who utilize his services to treat all manner of health needs at ALL HOURS. Having such a qualified healthcare professional in our camp gives us a tremendous peace of mind. Ask him about cactus thorns.

Dan Schindler – Old Mr. Dan was up at first light assembling interested scouts for the daily run, followed by monitoring activities at the water front (canoeing, sailing, motor boating, etc.). Never to be seen without his camera, Dan started and ended his day taking photos, often planning to be in attendance for special photo ops with scouts at all hours all over the camp. He then worked into the wee hours downloading and sorting photos for the daily blog. Mr. Dan will be missed but never forgotten.

All of these men are the embodiment of the Scouting Oath and Law. They each take on numerous additional duties; youth protection, errand running, nightly coordination and status meetings, etc. at a moment’s notice and without complaint. I thank each and every one for your dedication to Troop 804 and our sons. I am also very conscious that Troop 804 wouldn’t be the great troop that it is without the support of our parents and families. Thank you for supporting the Troop. Thank you to those who drove and patiently waited for us. Most of all, thank you for sending your sons to camp.

I can’t wait for next year and another Troop 804 summer camp adventure!

posted by Neal Kindness at 7/15/2012 11:29:47 AM

As I sat down to write my final thoughts about Summer Camp 2012, I wasn’t sure what to write that hasn’t already been written in the daily blog or said today at today’s return gathering. However, I’ve gotten a little help from Rebecca Schmaus, the Camp Clerk at Henson Scout Reservation. Having finally gotten around to checking today’s email after spending some time with my family (and taking a nap), I’d like to share a few of the words she offered in an email sent earlier today: “It was such a joy to have you and your troop here this week. It was so refreshing to have so many good manners and smiling faces in camp this week. Thank you so much.” These words are not taken from a form email, but from an email written specifically to me as a representative of Troop 804 upon the request of another Henson staff member seeking an address to which a thank-you can be sent for a good turn done by Troop 804. These are words that tell us we should be proud of our sons and the way they conduct themselves and thankful to the leaders who provide their guidance.

posted by Ted Durig at 7/15/2012 10:58:30 AM

Today was the last full Troop event with Andrew and Dan Schindler... here are some photos of today's send-off. The Troop presented Andrew with his Eagle knife and a photo album of his Eagle Court of Honor (thanks to Chuck Roydhouse), with signatures and farewell messages from the Troop. We presented Dan a photo collage decorated with farewell messages, and we presented both of them with a framed flag that had been flown over Baldwin Hall on the date of the Court of Honor.

Please note that the photo of Dan sleeping while "on duty" was not hard to take givn the numerous opportunities... although it was slightly trickier given that it was taken with his own camera!

   
   
   
  

posted by Dave Shade at 7/15/2012 11:16:35 AM

Some final words on the first-year Scouts, enrolled in the “Brownsea” program. They were organized into a Patrol all week. They elected one boy as the Patrol Leader on the first day, so he served as the Leader while we were in the program area and other boys rotated as Patrol Leader for other parts of the day. The boys chose their own Patrol name – the “Dodecahedrons” (as the boys learned, a twelve-sided three-dimensional figure – and there were twelve boys in the Patrol – thanks to a boy who must know his math). The boys worked extremely hard this week in order to complete their merit badge requirements in the limited time available, and had less free time than we would have liked. All of the boys did very well and say that they had a great time and can’t wait until next summer. Today the boys worked on cooking, making both outdoor chili and “Code Red” turkey, marinated with Code Red Mountain Dew. They finished projects in their merit badge areas, spent time at the Trading Post, attended a closing campfire, and started to dread the camp break-down and close-out. Anyway, the twelve clean boys who left last Sunday will return tomorrow (now today) as incredibly dirty and stinky young men who should be very proud of themselves.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/14/2012 2:14:03 AM

Dear Mom & Pop,Last time I wrote to you, Dino, Donnie and I were on our way to feast ourselves on MOSQUITOS…

We dined in great fashion that night North and saw a bunch of two-legs riding around on 4 wheeled vehicles, very small ones with really loud engines, and they looked like they were really having a great time. But their fumes were making it impossible for us to get anything to eat, so Dino got the idea that we should fly South, so we flew down to the Waterfront and saw other two-legs. These ones were floating on the water like yellow and silver water striders. Some had single paddles and other double paddles. There were few skeeters to eat even here. Most of our youngin’s must have eaten a lot of the skeeter larvae…

We were flying North again from the Waterfront, when we ran into a cool lookin’ dude named Douggie. Douggie says he follows the two-legs which hang out at a box North of the Swimming Pool. Apparently the two-legs he watches follow another two-leg named Doug. This two-leg led them on expeditions with nets and snake sticks, checking out “wild life” whatever that is…

Douggie also found out more about the gang called the “Golds” I was telling you about. It seems they weren’t out to rumble afterall—instead they are the self-appointed guardians of all the two-legs who eat at the “Dining Facility.” He says there’s a bush just outside the building that attracts deer flies, wasps and yellow jackets, and the Golds have taken a solemn oath that they will protect the two-legs from all of these nasty biting cousins of ours. They swarm and hover over the bush and keep any biting bugs from escaping.

With our new found friend added to the sortie, we, Dino, Donnie, Douggie, and I all flew West from the Dining Facilty and flew over a building that looked like three beehives connected together, Douggie said they’re called Yurts. The two-legs go there for something called Eagle Badges—and they have something called air ‘nitioning, or something like that. Next we flew over a field. On the edge of the field a bunch of dirty-faced two legs were hammering away on glowing rods. Next we flew North and saw some two-legs named Hunter, Josh and Andrew—looking really spider-like, climbing a tower and going down on ropes on the East side.

Flying farther west some two-legs were shooting sticks at big white blocks with rainbow circles on them. Then another group of two-legs were using bang-sticks to poke holes in white squares with five black circles on them. When we’d heard enough of that, we turned around and saw two two-legs named Andrew and Zach breaking orange circles with really loud bang sticks—they got something called Shotgun Merit Badge.

We also saw those Nymph two-legs take a very very long walk all around the Nanticoke Camp-Donnie heard Mr. Shadow say they did “a good job” and that they walked “an actual five miles—an accomplishment that other ‘first year campers’ don’t usually attain.” Guess that’s all the news that’s fit to wrap skeeter larvae in. Save me some Asian Tiger skeeters mom—I miss your cooking!

Your affectionate son, Danny Dragonfly (AKA. Tom Milley)

posted by Tom Milley at 7/14/2012 12:56:56 AM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  

WOW... can it really be Friday already? It feels like we’ve been here only a day or so... and at the same time, like we’ve been here for a month... As we come into the home stretch, many of our scouts have turned up the heat in their efforts to finish merit badge requirements by the end of the day today. The scouts working on shooting sports were at it from early this morning until we had to stop because we could not see the targets, and every one of them earned the merit badge he strove so hard for. They are, every one, Champions of the scouting spirit, and worthy of our respect.

posted by Scott owen at 7/14/2012 12:58:30 AM

The week is drawing to a close and the first-year Scouts are showing the usual mixture of fatigue, fun, and excitement to get home (oh, there's a fair amount of dirt mixed in too!). They worked very hard today... but nothing like yesterday's five-mile hike.

One big feature of the day was the "Mile Swim". To participate, a boy had to complete a 1/4 mile swim on Tuesday and a 1/2 mile swim on Wednesday. Fifteen throughout the Camp completed the "Mile Swim" ... and seven of them were from Troop 804... including a first-year Scout! A great accomplishment.

Tomorrow, the boys will be finishing up their badges, trying to spend what's left of their money, and (hopefully) getting a head-start on packing up

posted by Dave Shade at 7/13/2012 12:03:24 AM

So another beautiful day in paradise is drawing to a close. Room service brought coffee around,as usual, at the crack of dawn, and our luxurious accommodations have pampered us in the manner to which we’ve become accustomed.All this to say, The weather has been nearly perfect, since the rain broke, for the myriad of activities that our energetic scouts have been pursuing; I’ve run into them working hard and having fun in every program area in camp, and everywhere I go I hear of Troop 804’s excellent reputation. This is a real testimony to the character present in our boys, and the quality of the leadership that guides them. I’d like to personally thank all of our youth for their efforts and discipline this week.In local shooting sports news, we have had 4 of our scouts qualify at the rifle range this week, with 3 more closing in on it very quickly. 1 qualified in Shotgun, and 1 more qualified in Archery. Friday promises to be a very busy day, all across camp.

posted by Scott owen at 7/13/2012 12:03:24 AM

Well, it’s another exciting day at Boy Scout Camp. There were some strange things happening at Cooking merit badge today. The normal part: bacon & eggs. The Strange Part: cooking bacon & eggs in a PAPER BAG! :) Another strange cooking strategy: cooking hamburger in an orange peel (it smelled oddly good).

In camping, they learned about briars and what wild blueberries look (and taste) like. During the Emergency Preparedness merit badge class there were some strange sounding knots being taught something that sounded like “Double Spanish Bowline” or “Throwing a bowline” or “How to stretch a rope?!?”

No matter what, it’s our boys that are enjoying their time here at Camp.

posted by Dave Dowling at 7/13/2012 12:03:25 AM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Hello again: I can’t see the future forecast but the last couple of days have been beautiful: cooler and sunny – our Scouts have dried out and are getting down and dirty working on their merit badges.

I’m privileged to have our Scouts come to me with questions and help with their merit badge requirements. For dinner last night, we grilled hamburgers for an in-camp Troop dinner. Most nights we eat in a big mess hall with several Troops so the in-camp meal was special and more personal.

It’s nice to see our Scouts becoming and making friends with one another and I know from when I was a young Scout that those friendships can be lifelong.

Our first-year Scouts are doing well and Mr. Dave is making sure that they stay busy.

Dragon-flies are a big attraction and they’re all over the camp and fun to watch.

Hump day was yesterday and only one more full day before we head home and back to our busy lives. Our Scouts and adult leaders were awesome and I had a great time.

posted by Ric Gardner at 7/13/2012 12:03:26 AM

One short editorial note. We are very sorry but there were some typos on the blog entry for Sunday night. There was a reference to boys who had forgotten their toothbrushes. The entry has been edited to reflect the original intent - the Scouts that did not have their toothbrushes were not first-year Scouts, they were in fact senior Scouts. The Scouts did sing a song - but that's because all the Scouts that night sang a song while brushing their teeth, that was the game for the night. One of the Scouts who forgot his toothbrush picked a song and he chose "I'm a Little Teapot". The reference to punishment was meant to be a joke - we do not 'punish'. We are sorry for the mistake in the writing and the edit is reflected below.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/11/2012 11:41:32 PM

Just a few notes on how the day went for our youngest Scouts, the twelve first-year Scouts in the "Brownsea" program. They left the campsite this morning at 8:30am and did not return until 5pm. Between those two times, they did a ton! They started the morning with a full five mile hike, at a good pace (completed in 2.5 hours), which included stops for teaching and use of a map and compass. They returned just in time for the camp lunch. They gave up their after-lunch siesta to work on the Art merit badge, where they created on a story told with pictures. That was followed by a class in Leatherwork, and then a class in Nature focused on frogs, fish, and even a crayfish. Finally, twelve very dirty, very stink, and very very tired Scouts returned to camp in time for the dinner prepared in the campsite (giving the kitchen staff a night off).

Overall, the guys had a fantastic day. They will have many fun and fantastic stories to tell! They were very tired upon the return to camp - but by no means to tired to be running and laughing after dinner and participating in the Camp-wide games. They are - every single one of them - doing great.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/11/2012 11:13:19 PM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  

It’s Wednesday. Hard to imagine we are already half way through the week. Yesterday in Nature, we poured Plaster Casts of Deer tracks. All 14 scouts from Troop 804 should be able to bring them home assuming they make it back to the camp sites. Lunch today was Sloppy Joes and ice cream bars. The weather has been sunny and blue skies all day. It’s nice to have a day to dry off after all the rain and clouds earlier this week. The Forestry guys have been off look at trees in the area and identifying all the local species. Archeology went around each campsite and learned about the site names based on the local tribes from the Eastern Shore. Ask them when we get back about our two site names Singaree and Small Homony. Last night, we attended a troop Shotgun Shoot, Troop Swim, ½ mile swim, and performed more of Capt. Dan’s running sessions. We are looking forward to the fun continuing tonight with Camp Wide games.

posted by Doug Fish at 7/11/2012 11:13:26 PM

Just a few extra comments about our first-year Scouts, enrolled in something the Camp calls the "Brownsea Program". Today our youngest Scouts learned a bit about first aid for heart attacks, outdoor cooking, and map and compass skills. Then, they got a chance to have a special session on the rifle range, which they really enjoyed. In the afternoon, they worked on merit badges in Leatherwork (cutting, stamping, staining, and punching a leather keychain) and Nature (footprint casting and identifying leaves from 20 trees found in Camp). The boys are all doing great - lots of laughter, smiles, and more than a little talk about World of Warcraft or whatever computer games they have. Tonight, they had chances for shotgun shooting, night shooting, or just hanging out. Their teeth are clean, their bellies are full, and they will come back with lots of great memories.

posted by Dave shade at 7/11/2012 12:38:03 AM

The other adults at Summer Camp Henson this year are Mr. Neal, Mr. Dave S., Mr. Dave D., Mr. Dan, Mr. Ted, Mr. Doug, Mr. Tom, and Mr. Scott. These guys all have jobs – obligations – mortgages, families, etc. but still make time for Troop 804’s Scouts.

If you saw everything each of these guys do you would be amazed and wonder how on earth they could enjoy what they do. The heat on Sunday I saw for myself in the Camp parking lot was 102 degrees. We got over campsite’s set-up and on we went drenched in sweat for the rest of the day, making sure everyone had enough water to drink. That night at 4am the rain came and with it the thunder – making Monday cooler but humid… and then after lunch more downpours.

Each adult leader has a merit badge station to work at during the week helping out the camp instructors. I may have helped your son with swimming or lifesaving merit badges at the pool. How I lucked out getting the pool this year was great. Last year I had the honor of spending the week with Ted and the first-year Scouts.

All these great experiments I owe to my son Hunter. I had dropped out of Scouting in 1977 at 19 after getting a 4pm to 11pm shift job and got back into it with Hunter a few years ago. To all your parents out there, get involved if you can. These guys might teach you a thing or two. To you moms, your Scout will always remembers these Summer Camp experiences and cherish these memories.

We had a great time yesterday evening with water tubing behind a speed boat for some boys, up the Marshy Hope river. There were no houses in sight – just beautiful woods and lily pads. Mr. Dan has been in the charge of the daily mile run and several Scouts are doing the mile swim again. Today also included Shotgun Shooting and swimming for the Troop this evening. After that, those long meetings for the Patrol Leaders, Senior Patrol Leader and his Assistant SPLs, and the Adults, to talk about good and not so good parts of the day.

You got to have it! Mr. Ric

posted by Ric Gardner at 7/11/2012 12:38:04 AM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
In Nature and Ecology, we have had new discoveries and views to look at. The nature lodge is setup like a museum with fish and reptiles, insects, rocks and minerals. All day long scouts come in to compete in the crazy critter contest. Bring in a live critter that is not a mammal, bird, fish, or venomous and the best critter wins an award at closing campfire. Many insects, snakes, and small reptiles are now in the various cages with the existing bugs, snakes, and turtles.

Environmental science sessions have been doing their field research in the new lands purchased by the camp a few years ago. This land is being re-forested from a quarry that used to exist next store. Other merit badges such as nature, chemistry, archeology, and forestry have been meeting and working hard this week. It’s the only nature lodge that I have ever seen that is bigger than handi-craft and air conditioned.

For anyone that has been wondering, here on the Eastern shore, the ground is all sand, and feels like the beach without the waves. Well, a black-rat snake is coming up to me on the table here in the Nature lodge as I type this, so we’ll start Nature merit badge class.

posted by Doug Fish at 7/11/2012 12:38:05 AM

With a long, hot arrival day behind us, most everyone fell into bed and faded to dreamland until…. the heavens opened up and thunder roared. Our guys did great! Not a one of them came running for an adult with thunder and lightning directly overhead, and everyone stayed put and pretty dry in their tents. The best news is that the heat broke and the clouds gave cover today. We did have a downpour for about 30 minutes this afternoon; some of our guys got soaked and had a ball in the process. Most everyone gives the food a big thumbs up with a few Scouts rating it A++. Merit badges started today and most everyone seems pleased with their choices, only a few changes. For many of the Troop 804 Scouts, the day ended on a very high note with an hour and a half of tubing on Marshyhope Creek. There were smiles all around!

posted by Ted Durig at 7/10/2012 12:41:38 AM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

Dear Mom & Pop,

So there we were, jes' me, and my two pals Dino, the "Blue Italian Stallion" and Donnie "The Purple Wonder"-(His mom named him after some two-leg singer who used to wear purple socks back in the day)-we were just restin' our wings on a "Dining Fly" in site keepin' an eye peeled for our next snack, when along came a whole Troop of two-legs, chanting 804-Rocks, 804-Rocks. Well, one of the grown up two-legs, I think I heard him called Mr. Shadow (or somethin' like that) even brought a skeeter net and set it up in his tent thing. Ma, it's been so dry here the last two months that the boys and I are practically starvin. Ain't seen a skeeter in weeks-and we didn't have the heart to tell Mr. Shadow, he seemed to be enjoying himself setting it up over his cot...

It's getting so bad we have to stick together-there's rumors that "The Golds" are preppin' for war and are plannin' a rumble on anyone or any group that crosses the water-tower boundary and gets anywhere near the Dining Hall. We'd really like to take out those pipsqueaks-they're only like two inches long-what kind of self-respecting dragonfly is satisfied with a fuselage that short? And that's not the only competition here-Dino says he heard about a "Captain Dan" who's some kind of Navel Aviator-"C'mon Dino I says-who can fly in a two-leg's belly button-what would there be to eat in there anyways?" so I don't believes him, besides he looks way too big to be any fruit-fly I ever saw-and we're a long way from Florida...

So this Captain Dan, Mr. Shadow and their chum Mr. Kindliness brought in all these younger two-legs, some, I think, are just Nymphs, they were all reportedly going to Brownsea, which reminds me of the 5 years I spent in my own Nymphdom here in "Marshy Hope Creek." We flew a sortie over the "Brownsea" area and all those little two-legs were havin' a great ole' time-doing Scout Craft things, learning knots, name games, first aid, and knots and in general having a great time whoopin' it up and hollerin' and following around an older two-leg in a blue shirt named Matto.

Then it started raining-really hard, which is what me and the boys have been waitin' for-we'll be eatin' skeeters galore before daybreak tomorrow-we cut the sortie short and hung ourselves back under the "Dining Fly" in Singaree Camp. Tonight, a whole bunch-like the whole Troop 804 of the two-legs were down at the waterfront, (my old stompin'grounds) doing something called "Tubing" It looked rough to me, some of the kids tore their swim trunks, etc.

Ma & Pop, I gotta go, our dreams have come true, and there's a lot of skeeters to eat, so Dino, Donnie and me are about to belly up to the "all you can eat skeeter feast!"

Love and Greetings from Camp Lower Homony at Nanticoke Camp, Henson Scout Reservation,

Your affectionate Son, Danny Dragonfly (AKA. Tom Milley)

posted by Tom Milley at 7/10/2012 12:41:42 AM

Well, the first day in Camp is just aobut over and the big story of the day is (of course) the heat. It was hot! The key word is "was" - we got a very quick and not very intense storm - a little rain and a little thunder - but now it is much cooler and very comfortable.

Sundays in Camp are always consumed with orientation activities - trying to learn how the Dining Hall works, taking swim tests, getting lost walking from one area to another, and the opening-night campfire. The boys did great given the challenging conditions -- although they do not smell good (and that is being very generous). Bugs have not been much of a problem. Dinner was baked chicken, corn, rolls - and a salad bar. About a third of the boys did get themselves some salad!

We of course had a few internet "challenges" the first night but think we've got them worked out. Tomorrow looks to be a great first full day of camp with reasonable weather and great fun.

The boys are doing well - plenty of laughing, playing, and sweating... just as it should be.

posted by Dave Shade at 7/9/2012 12:47:33 AM

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


Dear Troop 804 Family,

Well we arrived. Thanks to all the drivers today and everyone who worked so hard in the background to make this summer camp a possibility so we can do this the Troop 804 way which is a rocking good time for all the boys.

Things are looking great with merit badge sign-ups and programs. As many of you know, we started out with advancing two of our scouts, Zach Saderholm to Tenderfoot and Zach Urbine to 2nd Class as we missed them at the Court of Honor.

Looks like Mr. Neal’s rain dance was somewhat helpful as we arrived in what is purported to be the hottest day of the year, but some thunderstorms rolled in and through and we received about 5 minutes of rain, but it did cool down a bit. It is only 82 degrees at 10:30 pm and we are about to pull out the fleece troop pullovers…just kidding. We are looking forward to some cooler weather this week however. Lots of water and sports drinks were consumed and the heat took its toll, but you can tell by the photos that there were still lots of smiles.

Our fearless Senior Patrol Leader Nick has a temperature gauge provided by ASPL Josh Keating and it has a relative fun meter. You can see the picture.We are in the Singaree and Little Homony campsites. We are the biggest troop by far and we are looking forward to some great troop spirit to let the entire campsite know that Troop 804 is present.

The facilities are nice. The dining hall looks fairly new and maintained and the swimming pool was very nice as we enjoyed taking our swim checks and a little respite from the heat.

Roast chicken, macaroni, corn, salad, rolls, watermelon and chocolate milk for dinner…Yummy!

Hammocks seem to be a theme throughout camp lately.

We are planning on doing many fun things from Frigid Frog, Iron Chef, daily mile runs, mile swim participants, troop tubing, troop shoots, etc. Look for the pictures throughout the week.

Send mail, money and munchies Mom!

We went to the Staff Campfire program and then had our traditional troop toothbrushing event. Wait a minute!!!!! a couple of Scouts forgot their toothbrushes - and these were not** 1st year Scouts. Punishment…singing a song in front of the troop while brushing teeth… song chosen by the Scout…’I’m a little teapot’... Good fun!

Apparently, toe shoes are allowed, but they sure get some funny looks.

Enjoy the photos and we will try to keep you updated daily. Luv u…hugs and kisses!!!Dan S.

** edited 11-Jul-2012 to correct typo

posted by Dan Schindler at 7/11/2012 11:41:34 PM

   
   

(The pictures are from last year. Click on small pictures to see larger views.)

Welcome to the 2012 Troop 804 Summer Camp Blog! Departure day is almost here! This year 51 Scouts and 9 adults will travel to Henson Scout Reservation in Rhodesdale, Maryland (on the Eastern Shore), for a great week of fun and learning, coordinated by the incredibly-capable ASM Ted Durig. Each evening we will try to post lots of pictures and some stories of the day. We do get busy and sometimes the internet doesn't cooperate so please be patient if postings are delayed. Hopefully the Scouts are all getting ready - don't forget to help them double-check their packing lists and not wait until the last minute - and make sure they know where things are, especially their swim gear.

Feel free to comment on any posts... but bear in mind that this is not a good way to ask questions of the adult leaders (most will be able to check email, and urgent issues should always be communicated by calling one of the contacts listed on the Summer Camp page on the Troop website).

If you have questions about the blog, ask now - before we are off in "the wilds"!

posted by Dave Shade at 7/1/2012 11:07:02 PM