A Blog From Summer Camp

Posted by Mark Abell on June 30, 2009

Summer Camp 2009: Advancement and Fun - Troop 16 Style

A final post: Days 4, 5 and 6:

Today, we are celebrating lots of rank advancement and merit badge completion from Summer Camp. So far, we have had 7 scouts make their Tenderfoot rank: Zack P., Chris S., Jacob G., Trevor S., David B., Justin W., and Terry T. We have also had 3 scouts achieve their Second Class rank: Nick P., Charlie C., and Ken B. And we have had one boy complete his First Class rank: Dakota F.; and another scout has had his Scoutmaster Conference for First Class: Charlie C.  I hope to have another one or two Scoutmaster Conferences today. In addition, I think every boy in camp has completed at least one merit badge, with many completing 3 or 4. In total, we should have well over 100 merit badges completed this week.

Last night, Dan D. and Daniel F. led a camp-wide Talent Show after dinner, entitled Tahosa’s Got Talent. The boys and adults alike had a great time sharing skits and showing off their varied talents including a comedy routine from Charles F., a rousing rendition of ”I am Cow” by Justin B., Eli B’s skills with a Rubik’s Cube, and Chris S’s magic trick. In the end, our own TJ B. won with a very cool song on his guitar.

Late Wednesday, during a campfire skit, Daniel B. fell to the ground as planned, but landed with his head hitting a large rock - not as planned. The result was a small cut and a lot of blood. Justin B. took charge once again and got the bleeding under control, and Daniel turned out to be just fine.  He was really happy to find out there would be no need for a second trip to the emergency room this week (so was Mr. Abell!).

After a three day rash of one behavioral challenge after another, Mr. Abell decided to address the group to make sure we could “succeed as a group” and Justin B. held a similar pep-talk with the boys separately.  Since then, the group has worked as a unit, and I have noticed lots of new friendships begin to form. I am hopeful that our troubles have now passed and we can finish out the camp on a high note.

It is soon time to clean up camp and head home, but I think in the end we will look back on Summer Camp 2009 as a rousing success. The advancement and knowledge gained has been second to none I have witnessed. My thanks go out to all the adults who helped run this summer camp, and especially to Mr. Bills, Mr. Bivens, Mr. Carlson, Mrs. Denton, Mr. Ahrens, Mr. Knippers, Mr. Brainard, and Mr. Siebring for helping plan and run this camp. And I am very proud of our Staff Patrol: Justin B, Tyler T, Connor C, TJ B, Eric J, and William P. They have run a top-notch camp. We look forward to seeing you all back home tomorrow.

Days 3 and 4:

Troop 16 continues to execute at a very high level. Since yesterday’s blog, we have had 8 scouts pass their Scoutmaster Conferences and two of these have also completed their Boards of Review (the others will occur tonight). We are celebrating a new First Class Scout - Dakota F. and a new Second Class Scout - Ken B.

A small Black Bear has been sighted near camp by a work crew, so we will be redoubling our efforts to keep our camp area clean and see that all smellables are where they belong. 

Matt S. became the talk of the camp yesterday afternoon when he accidentally cut his thumb while sharpening his knife. Our SPL, Justin B., came quickly to the rescue with his First Aid Skills, getting Matt’s injury cleaned and stabilized in camp, then handling the transport to the on-staff EMT, where he was referred to Boulder Community Hospital. After a trip to the Emergency Room with Mr. Abell and Mr. Ahrens, his wound was re-cleaned and glued (no real damage done), he enjoyed a Wendy’s burger, some fries and a coke - before it was back up to camp - all smiles.

Otherwise, it has been lots of First Class Advancement, merit badge success and fun with COPE.  The boys are all looking forward to their first showers this afternoon. After all, a Scout is Clean - or so they tell me.

Days 1, 2, and 3:

In keeping with our high adventure spirit, Troop 16 has been executing this year’s Summer Camp to a level not seen in my 3 years in the troop. The merit badges are being delivered at a much higher level, with boys actually demonstrating the skills they are learning. Whether you watch the guys in Trail to First Class programs or Nature, Camping, Environmental Science, Cooking, or any of the other Troop-run merit badges, the BOYS are executing! And the boys in the COPE adventure program seem to have enjoyed yesterday’s mountain bike excursion. Our Staff Patrol and Camp Merit Badge Counselors, and especially our Summer Camp coordinators deserve great kudos for executing a nearly flawless summer camp so far.

Moms, I am also pleased to report that the food has been very well-received. Sunday’s dinner consisted of spaghetti, garlic bread, pizza, a fresh salad, and a brownie. Monday brought breakfast of French toast, sausage, and cereals with milk; a lunch of tacos with all the fixin’s; and a dinner of Mashed Potatoes and Meatballs with an ice cream sandwich for dessert. And so far on Tuesday, we have enjoyed a breakfast of breakfast burritos and cereals with milk. It has been the best summer camp food I’ve had by far - and plenty of it.

All are healthy and happy despite a few nicks and cuts and bruises.  So far, the boys’ emotions have matched the weather: sunny and warm. We have had virtually no signs of homesickness or angry tantrums to speak of.  The highlights for Monday were free time filled whittling, or lashing cool tripod swings -  and seats in the trees, and game time down by the lake.  So far, so good. More later.

Mr. Abell