On The Rugged Road with Troop 617 in Poway

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

First Aid, First Day!

Mr Finley was breaking into the troop first aid kit, asking Mr Adams what he needed.

Mrs Red: "YES! Mr Adams got a camp wound! Tell me the story!"

Mr Adams: "Oh it's nothing, really."

Mrs Red: "No, you don't understand... I need to blog about this. Everything is a story to tell!"

Mr Adams: "No, really. It's nothing. There IS no story to tell."

Mrs Red: "NO, REALLY! EVERYthing is a story to tell. PLEASE..."

Mr Adams: "Ok. I scratched myself last week at home, and I broke it open just now."

Mrs Red: "oh. you're right. that won't due."

Mr Finley: "He's being modest. The truth is, he's a hero! He had a run-in with a rattler, and got snagged by a fang. He actually saved 3 kids in the process, he's quite the hero!"

Mrs Red: "Now THAT'S a story!"

and so I'm blogging about it...

Monday, July 25, 2011

Stories of bears invading camp, sneaking candy out from under pillows, were hindering my peaceful night's sleep. I was trying hard to focus my ears on the calming ripple of the stream running alongside my tent. I could feel myself drifting off at last, when a low growl to my left broke my trance-like state.

"I KNEW IT! I should have put my deoderant in the bear can like I was told!"

Wait, there it was again, a rumble off to my right this time. "Wow! He moves fast!"

Suddenly, to my great relief, that moment of fleeting panic was quickly doused by my own laughter as I realized it wasn't a bear's fearsome growl that was frightening me... it was the thundering snores of Mr Adams and Mr Redmond! First on my left, now on my right, back to my left. It was a bit like dueling noses...only not so melodic.

I knew I should have taken that empty tent on the other end of our campsite.

CAMP WHITSETT NEWS

Camp Whitsett Welcomes us with extremely limited and achingly slow internet and absolutely NO phone service... so no blogging like last year. In fact, my phone's dead from "searching for service", so no pics from me. Mr Finley may have better luck, so keep checking in.

We met the water first. Cold, dark... I didn't like it. AT ALL! No Gamble boys to cheer me on with, "Come on, Mrs Redmond! My mom would do this!" Everybody passed but Donna.

Then I met the tree. Bill hoisted me up to hang the "bear bag line", wow I've never been so tall! But I got my first camp wounds as I grabbed onto the tree and slashed my fingers on the way down. Blood isn't a good color on me.

Already had one lost boy, one head injury, and our turn at the mess hall. Perfect way to start our week, I say! Did you know that pine cones could draw blood, too? Matt's head could tell you stories.

Ok, here's the first real blog:

The evening sky glowed orange and purple as the crowd gathered at the ampitheater near the lake. With the coming of dark, the noise hushed to a restless silence. All eyes were drawn toward the sound of soft paddles entering the water in the distance, stroke after stroke. Faintly, a single flame came drifting slowly across the lake. Soon you could make out Indians in full dress canoeing toward the shoreline. As they disembarked, the ceremony began, fires were lit, and the fun started..."There was a moose named Fred!" (YES! I know this one!!) In keeping with that proud Scouting tradition, the bad jokes and silly songs kept us laughing and groaning, sitting and standing, singing and clapping throughout the night. Awww... the joy of Boy Scout Summer Camp. I hope I get to do this every year for a long time to come!

Ok, there's a line at the computer... and everyone's already jealous cuz I've got my own private HOT shower (being one of the few women in camp...) so I better GIT! More to come daily, if I can...

Love to all you suckers who stayed home! HA!

Mrs Red

Thursday, July 21, 2011

CAMP EMERALD BAY STAFF - JULY 18TH, 2011

If you zoom in on this picture you will find Griffin Gamble on the top row, right side, Jordan Gamble, Second row down from top, middle-left, and Levi Gamble on the third row, left side. Okay, okay, I know this has nothing to do with our troop... just indulge us Gambles a bit as we brag about our sons! :)

Monday, July 18, 2011

CAMP WHITSETT NEWS - JULY 24TH -30TH

Camp Whitsett starts this Sunday so please read the following information and Be Prepared.

Meeting Time: Meet at the Pomerado Elementary School at 7:00 am. The drive to camp is 5.5 - 6 hours and we're supposed to check in around 1:00 pm.

Who is Going: 9 Scouts-Matt Adams, Andrew Adye, Andrew and David Divjak, Justin Chung, Cody and Palmer Finley, Zach Redmond, and Stewart Wright. 4 Adults- Bill and Donna Redmond, Brian Finley, Greg Adams

Extra Things To Bring:

Please bring a bag lunch to eat on the trip.
Please pack your swim suit and towel near the top of your gear as the swim test will be one of the first things we do when we arrive.
Bring a little money for the trading post if you will need to buy craft kits or souvenirs
Please bring a copy of your insurance card, along with your medical forms (unless you have already given it to Mrs. Pigott or Mr. Adams), as well as any parent permission forms needed for your scout to participate in a specific activities (firearms permit required to participate in troop shoot or shooting merit badge).

Everyone will need to bring a "Mess Kit" ( Plate, Cup, Utensils) as they are no longer using disposables. A Mesh bag to carry kit to/from camp is a good idea as well!

We are expected to be in class A uniforms traveling to/from camp and at dinner.Otherwise the Class B T-shirt will be worn to classes.

Camp Whitsett website: Go to this link: http://www.campwhitsett.org/summer/summer-camp-info/ and click on Youth Packet

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

MERIT BADGE WORKSHOP - THIS FRIDAY, JULY 15TH

We hope you all got the email but just to confirm, here are the details for the upcoming Merit Badge Workshop:

What: Merit Badge Workshop for Summer Camp bound scouts and ALL scouts wishing to complete merit badges.

When: This Friday, July 15th

Time: From 2:00PM to 4:00PM

Where: The Divjak's Ranch

Lunch will be provided so come on and let's be prepared together!