Well, we certainly had an exciting day yesterday! We had a fast-moving thunderstorm pass through with high winds and heavy rain. Bradley and Chris were sailing in the middle of the lake at the time, and capsized. To make a long story short, they were upset (literally) and had to wait for a rescue to arrive. Chris lost his glasses over the side, so Joe drove up last night and brought his spare glasses. By that time, it was very late so Joe spent the night and most of the next day with us at Camp.

I apologize for the lack of videos, but the WIFI here is really slow and every time the upload times out, I have to start over again. I have yet to be able to complete an upload. I am shooting videos, though, so they will be posted eventually. Nights have all been cool, with sleeping bags feeling comfortable, and with the days in the 90’s. The boys are doing well, eating plenty, and working diligently on their  merit Badges. Seems a shame to have to do homework at camp, but it’s a necessary evil. There were conflicts with class schedules due to our not understanding what they were trying to do, but some of the blame lies with unclear instructions. But, with all that said, everyone is earning Merit Badges.

Stay tuned for the next installment …

Yours in Scouting,
Dick Barnes

We arrived at Camp Olmsted at the Goshen Scout Reservation in the Virginia Mountains about 2 PM yesterday afternoon. Check in was uneventful, and we were treated to something we hadn’t seen at home for a while … RAIN! Thunderstorms and rain off and on for most of the evening, night, and again this morning until about midday. Last night was cool to the point where we needed sleeping bags or a light blanket for comfort. Today, though, the temperature got up into the 90’s with a low tonight predicted for the 60’s. The boys all spent today in merit badge classes. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll have some video to upload. Everybody is doing just fine.

Dick Barnes

Sorry . I posted the videos on the YouTube account but totally forgot to put the links here. Those that were clever enough to go there, saw the videos already … if you didn’t, you had to wait until now .

It’s been hectic since I got back. It’s amazing how much work can pile up in a week … and nobody can do any of it while I’m gone, it seems. I’m slowly catching up and hopefully will be a bit more regular here.

YIS,

Dick.

Well, another day down and closer to our return! I don’t want to make it sound like I’m hoping for camp to be over … I’m not. I’m an enthusiastic camper. While the Scouts are tearing all over the forest and doing energetic things, I’m in the HQ building working on these videos and doing paperwork. Summer Camp for me is a time to relax and regroup, and enjoy the kids’ activities. I can see them all grow a little in responsibility and self-confidence during the week.

I’m not just sitting around all the time, though. I visit the various activities and classes to see if any of the kids are having problems. I’m also getting my fair share of exercise … it’s about a half mile from the main camp to Sequoia campsite, where we are living this week, and I walk that several times a day. The land is a bit rolling, so there are ups and downs to the trek .

Yesterday Scoutmaster King participated in the Horseshoes tournament, and that will be completed today. He also participated in the clay shoot and placed second. Mr. Williams has been assisting with Merit Badge classes, providing transportation and guidance. All of the adult leaders sat down together last night in the HQ building and came up with a suggested skeleton plan for the Patrol Leaders’ Council to plan next year’s events. Hopefully, that will give them some ideas, and added to thir own ideas, should bring the Troop a great program next year.

This is the first year I’ve taken the computer and video camera to camp and provided pretty much near real-time video to those left behind. It’s great, and with WI-FI here, it’s easy to upload and make available to everyone. Just wish I had the time to refine the video content a bit more. What you’re seeing is pretty much raw video clips strung together. When I get back to “civilization”, I’ll do a bit more editing.

Well, lunchtime is approaching, and I can’t miss the chicken fingers and potato wedges! The food here at Cherokee has been very good, and the boys seem to like it just fine, many going back for seconds (but not for the broccoli and cheese night before last !

Tonight we’re cooking in the campsite. Steve is orchestrating a Low Country Boil for the adults (shrimp, potatoes, corn on the cob, etc with the appropriate spices). Sounds great. He’s also doing a couple of dutch oven apple cobblers. Pictures tomorrow!

Yours in Scouting,

Mr. B

Troop 11 Summer Camp 2009

Well, another day has come and gone. The boys have gotten into their groove as far as their merit badge schedules are concerned, and most seem to be enjoying themselves. There were a few cases of homesickness among the new Scouts, being away from home and parents the first time, but nothing serious.

Parents, you’d be surprised what your kids are up to! Cleaning our toilet, picking up trash and their clothing, setting the table for meals and cleaning up afterwards … but don’t worry, they’ll be back to normal by the time they get back .

Everything, as I said, is pretty much getting routine to them by now, so I may skip a day or so with my reports from camp. We’re taking good care of your boys, and will return them to you only a little worse for wear!

Your in Scouting,

Mr. B