Troop 468 Summer Camp 2008

Thanks Doug for all of the photos/blogs. Seems like the boys are having a great time. Don't let the mountain get the best of you! You'll be running up and down it in no time! :) The pictures are amazing...that has helped ease our minds while the boys are away. Stay safe, and take care of them for us! Please tell Alec his family says hello! Thanks...Christina

So glad to hear the drive went well and that the boys are organizing their time. Were you able to watch the kids earning their swimming merit badge? Was it challenging? I think the whole Cougar patrol is earning that one together - hope they did well. thanks

Hello From Camp Bud Schiele, Sorry it took me so long to get this posted but we had some technical difficulties with the camp Internet. Here goes... We arrived safely and without incident Saturday afternoon around 5:00 pm. I had the younger boys (Cougars) in my car. It is truly amazing how the 11 and 12 year old mind works. They kept me laughing the entire trip. Upon arrival the first order of business was camp set up. The boys did a great job putting up the dining covers, and distributing tasks. A meeting was held to discuss camp expectations and event plans. After all the details were settled, we went into town for dinner and last minute provisioning. These guys can eat! The boys played until lights out. Sunday started with doughnuts and bananas. The boys put the finishing touches on the camp and prepared for orientation day. During orientation we were shown all the facilities and discovered this camp in North Carolina is at a somewhat higher altitude than Florida. We also found out that our campsite is at the farthest and highest point in the camp. I think we will all be in better shape when we get home. Dinner was good, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad and Chocolate Cake. We ended the day with an evening skit, put on by the councilors. By Sunday night and after countless trips up and down the mountain we were all wiped out. We’ve had a few homesick cases (that shows they love their parents) but overall camp it starting well. I will try to keep you posted the best that I can throughout the week. The walk to the Internet access point is about .5 miles down the mountain, so this will probably be no more than once per day. The camp grounds are beautiful and clean, great facilities and a huge mountain feed lake. It is very picturesque. Keep a look out for new blogs. CampDad468

It looks like there will be a lot of boys sleeping on the way home on Saturday!! On the drive home, drink a lot of coffee as the boys will be too tired to be cracking as many jokes,although the snoring might keep you awake. Can't wait to see you all back.

Hooray!!! We are all very excited that you are coming home tomorrow and have thoroughly enjoyed daily the blogging and photos! Thank you, adult leaders, for all you have done to ensure an educational, safe and happy week for our scouts. We wish you a safe journey from the mountains to the beach. See you back here tommorrow! :-)

Thanks for the pics Camp Dad & ASM. How is the weather up in them there hills?

It looks like you had good weather for swimming. I like the Panther Patrol Flag. That rock wall is the biggest one I've ever seen. We look forward to seeing you all safely back home. Great work Troop 468!!!!

Wednesday After a late night, which made for a short sleep, the boys awoke around 6:00 got dressed and we still made assembly on time. This was Order of the Arrow day at camp. The scouts and scoutmasters who were members wore their sashes proudly throughout the day and had an ice cream social at night. Some of the scouts spend their free time today working on the Troop catapult for the contest on Friday. Troop rec time was swimming. Our meals were started with off with egg casserole and of course a side of cereal. Seconds were served. Lunch was something inconsequential with MACARONI AND CHEESE. We had taco salad for dinner. I thought it was good but it had mixed reviews from the scouts. It did, however, come with ice cream so it turned out no so bad. Our program for the evening was a Vespers service that our scout Van participated in as a singer. Craker barrel was a soft chocolatie cook snack and then lights out. They were all out fast. Congratulations to Ryan L as our Scout of the Day for helping out in many areas of troop leadership on Wednesday. Blog you tomorrow.

We are so happy to hear news from our boys in NC!!! Thank you so much for taking the time and the hike up and down the mountain to keep us updated on the troop's daily happenings. Rest up those legs so you can entertain us again tomorrow. :-) Have fun, be safe and try to relax. Ethan and Riley Caroline send hugs and kisses to Daddy and Cole :-)

Wow this sight is pretty cool to keep everyone updated. Just wanted you to all know I won't be at the meeting tonight oh that right you won't either. Hope everyone is having a great time on there road to Eagle. John thanks for the pictures they are great stay safe and have fun. Sharon

Monday We got our wake up alarm/horn at 6:45 am and proceeded to wipe the sleep from our eyes, straighten up the campsite and head for breakfast. Biscuits and gravy with sausage patties and a side of cereal. Truly a high octane meal. This was the first day of merit badge classes and the boys were ready for the routine. After completion of the classes attitudes were good and the atmosphere was positive. At evening recreation time the troop decided to swim and go cardboard sliding down a hill. That was something to see and is an event only the young or those who think they are would attempt. I am sure they will remember that for a long time. The troop next to us invited us over for some tasty cold watermelon. We'll have them over on Wednesday to share in some dessert. So far the boys have selected, as scouts of the day, Sunday was Dillon Blackman for his work as quartermaster and Monday was Van Brown for his perseverance with his tasks. Tuesday night is movie and pizza night (National Treasure 2). The boys are excited about that. Monday pictures are a Snapfish. The weather is still beautiful. The sunset was gorgeous. Every part of my legs are sore. Blog you again tomorrow.

So glad to have the blog updates! Thanks so much. Hope the boys enjoy their late night movie and then recharge with some zzzz's for tomorrow's activities. :)

The Following link will take you to our troop forum where you can view pictures from camp. Just copy and past into your browser address bar. http://www.compuclow.com/TroopForum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=22#22

Tuesday Because we were a little slow in getting to breakfast yesterday morning we tried an earlier wake up Tuesday morning, 5:30 am. There was some moaning and groaning but in the end it paid off. We were not only early but we won the Spirit stick for the day. Breakfast was eggs, bacon, grits and there is always a side of cereal. The boys then dispersed to there classes. I took a new CPR certification course. Mr. Long took the boyscout lifeguard course. Mr. Flynn kept things organized most of the day and then did a little fishing (he saw a lot of fish, caught none. That's why they call it fishing, not catching). Mr. Clow climbed Heart Attack Hill and then proceeded to take a Scoutmaster nap. Our boys' camp duty today was, Latrine duty. They squawked about that one, but they did it anyway. Everyone does their part. Kyle represented our troop in the staff vs. SPL volleyball match. They ended tied at one game each, with the final on Wednesday. Good luck! At our troop rec time we had climbing. That was an incredible thing to see (I'll post the pics). Great bravery and skill was shown this day. We finished off the day with movie and pizza night. The movie was National Treasure 2. The movie ran late so it was immediately back up the hill to the camp for Scout of the Day and lights out. Jesse H. was our Scout of Day for going above and beyond helping around the camp with a honorable mention for Mathew L. Post you tomorrow. (Look for new pics.)

Thursday/Friday Today was the Leaders steak and eggs breakfast that Mr. Flynn and I attended. We met Sonny who was one of the founders of the camp and has been involved in scouting for 65 years. Incredible dedication. Mr. Flynn served lunch today (see photo). The menu was meatball subs and chips which was probably the scouts overall favorite so far. Because of family day, dinner was simplified to a stuffed potato. Even that went over well. Although we didn't have anyone participating, the Scoutmasters beat the Key Staff, in Thursday's volleyball game. The boys and boys at heart worked on the catapult throughout the day. This was one of the funniest things I've seen up here. A few damaged trees, tents and bruised egos may have occurred. Our boys won the spirit stick, AGAIN!! Congratulations to Mr. Long and Ryan who both completed the mile swim as Mr. Flynn rowed as guard. The troop elected to have a much needed down night. The boys just hung out at the camp and played games till lights out. Our Scout of the Day was Sam for most improved with an honorable mention to Cory for consistently setting a good example. Friday This will probably be the last blog, as we will be leaving in the morning. So here is what we have planned. The classes are shortened today to make time for the Grand Ol' Adventure scouting contest. The boys will compete in various scouting skills and hopefully launch an apple to great distances with our catapult. Wish them luck. After closing ceremonies tonight we will pack up the camp and get ready for final inspection. We plan on leaving immediately after final inspection, around 8:00 am. Our estimated time of arrival would be around 6:00 pm. This has been a fun week and growing experience for the boys but, I know that they are all ready to come home. Show them the pictures and have them tell you the rest of the story. I will post some pics today and the rest when we get home. See you on the homefront. CampDad468 blogging out.

Hey CampDad, thanks for the numerous photos. I feel like I was there. Sliding down the hill looked fun. I'll bet they loved that watermelon. Congrats to Dillon and Van on working hard. Thanks to you and the other leaders for taking care of the boys!!!!Hope you all are resting well at night. We miss Vincent around here! He's in good hands, though. thanks for the updates.

Keep up the great work. Thanks for all you do.