Cub Scouts...Day Camp...AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!

I love scouting.  I was a Brownie and then a Girl Scout while I was coming up in England (only we called them Girl Guides), so the fact that my boys are involved in Boy Scouts is just fantastic for me.  Zeke is going into the Bear den this year, but Gabe still has a couple more years before he'll be old enough to be a Tiger cub.

So somehow along the way, I was talked into becoming our pack's committee chair.  The same person who talked me into this ALSO talked me into becoming the program director for our particular day camp.  Naive as I was, I thought that was all part of being this committee chair person thingy.

Not so.

I found out much later that in order to be program director, there was an intense 24-hour training session that needed to be completed.  That would be 2-1/2 days of intense learning over a long weekend at Latimer High Adventure Reservation (beautiful place, by the way) in order to know everything there is to know about planning and executing a week-long program for cub scouts in our area.

The experience itself was fun, and I was able to meet and connect with several like-minded scout leaders who were passionate about Scouting and what it represents.

Fast forward a few months, and the week of day camp is finally here!  :-O  The crowd is a little smaller than it has been in years past, but we still had a blast.  Aside from the sweltering heat for much of the week, I think it went fairly well.  Granted there are several program changes I will make for next year's camp, but now that I have one camp season under my belt, I think I sorta know what I'm doing.

Sorta.  :)

The following is a selection of photos I took during the week.  Due to privacy issues, I can't plaster this blog with pics of my friends' kids without their permission, so I'm avoiding most of the close-up shots unless they are of my own kids.  :-D  This is just a sample of some of the things the kids were able to do during the week.  I didn't get any shots of the woodworking projects because they were being done on the other side of the field.

While I'm glad it's over for now, I'm excited about getting ready for camp next year.  And yes, it's a lot of work, but the payoff of seeing the kids laugh and play and have such a good time is well worth it.

My intense training is good for another 4 years.  Let's see how things go next time!  ;-)

A freakishly fast-moving storm hit on the afternoon of the first day.  We had to cram all the boys into the bathrooms to take cover!  Needless to say, that was not a very pleasant experience.  :-\

The Bears earned their whittling chip, first by carving soap with popsicle sticks, then with their pocket knives.

Camp opening usually consisted of some kind of skit or song.

Making paracord bracelets for one of the craft items.

Probably the sole reason why some of these boys came to camp was to shoot BB guns and arrows on the range.

Saluting the flag

Learning about the local K-9 unit

The boys had some hands-on time with a real Hummer!

One of many guest speakers during the week, the local TWRA officers here are speaking to the boys about wildlife conservation and why it's so important.

This horse, Big Mama, works with the mounted patrol.  She was very friendly.  :)

Letting the tots cool off in the summer heat!

Water Day!  Courtesy of the local Fire Department.

That hose could reach surprisingly far!

In honor of Flag Day, we were able to bring in a military color guard to post the colors for us.  I think the boys were impressed to see the soldiers in uniform.  It was very solemn and fascinating to watch.

After camp was over on the last day, we had a family dinner/picnic.  Here's a shot of the moon as we're about to leave the park.  What a busy week, but we SURVIVED!  :)