Saturday Morning

Its Saturday! And time for some rafting. Everyone is up and getting ready for an exciting day on the water. We have an afternoon trip on the river from 1 to 4 which should be a very exciting time for all.

Last nights closing campfire was the best by far. Besides the normal campfire skits, songs and what else a humongous, gigantus, enormous, stupendous, flaming inferno of wood and fire, since it was the 4th of July we were treated with a fire works display. It was really awesome and the boys and adults were talking about that well into the late evening. We did not make it up to Big rock last night because we ran out of time before the campfire and no one wanted to miss that. After rafting this afternoon, if we still have an energy left we make take a trip up then.

I will blog again one last time tonight before we go home, hopefully with some pictures from rafting. Attached are some pictures of the boys in front of the Ballard Cabin, closing campfire staff and fireworks.


Enjoy,

Gregg

Friday Evening

Happy 4th of July from Camp Rainy Mountain. Some are getting ready to go to the closing campfire and the other half to Big Rock so I don't have much time. I just wanted to post a picture of all of the boys in their 4th of July t-shirts purchased by Joe and Cheryl Butler. Everyone has finished their merit badge classes and some will still have a partial in some of their classes.

Tomorrow is white water rafting which will be a lot of fun. I will write more tomorrow summarizing the days events. Everyone is looking forward to coming home on Sunday but the found memories they have made here this week will last them a life time.

Thanks

Gregg

Thursday Evening

Good evening from Camp Rainy Mountain. Its a beautiful twilight sky with very little clouds and the temperatures will be cooling down to low 60's. Great camping weather. The weather all week in fact has been just fantastic. Low temperatures in the evening and warm days is great combination for outdoor activities.

Today the kids were engrossed in their merit badge classes making sure they complete all of the requirements to earn that badge before they leave. The kids taking the shooting sports like rifle and archery I believe all qualified today, except for one which he should qualify tomorrow. The swimming and rowing kids are having fun in the lake and are on track to complete by the end of the week.

For the leaders it was another day of shadowing the kids to their classes, taking pictures and criss crossing the camp a dozen times a day. When I ask its too hard for any one scout to pick their favorite activity at camp, they usually respond with "all of it". The food today was actually ok, we had sausage gravy biscuits, cereal, grits, fruit and donuts for breakfast. Sub sandwiches, fruit and cookies for lunch and we made tin turtles for dinner. For those not familiar with tin turtles they are foil packs with potatoes, carrots, onions and a beef patty over a charcoal fire and peach cobbler for desert.

The kids are now building a camp fire to do skits, sing songs and generally just have fun. Later tonight they will get their showers and head to bed. By the end of the day getting them to their bunks is no problem because they are just flat worn out. And so are the leaders!

Tomorrows activities will include wrapping up their merit badge courses and a closing campfire by the staff. Saturday we will be going white water rafting which will be a highlight of our trip.

We had 2 care packages show up today for Conner and Logan Lauderdale and Zane Tossone

Well thats all for now I will write again tomorrow.

PS I wish I could put up individual pictures of all of the kids but with this archaic equipment I can only get 1 to 2 pictures.

Thanks for reading

Gregg

Thursday Morning

I apologize for not getting the pictures uploaded last night of us on top of big rock but the computer I was working on had technical difficulties. The first picture from bottom up is the troop on the trail to Big Rock and the second picture is of the troop on top of big rock looking down. We took several more pictures but I could only upload a few. If you don't see your son in the picture, as I said last night, some opted out of last nights hike for the campfire and will be going on the hike on Friday.

I will blog tonight about today's escapades.

The boys are having a great time and I bet there will be a few tears shed when we have to go home.

Thanks for reading


Gregg

Wednesday Evening

Well it's Wednesday evening and we just got back from our hike to Big Rock! we are taking 2 hikes one tonight that most of the boys went on and then one again on Friday when the rest of the troop will go. It's probably a 2.5 mile trip but its seems very long because the trail is up a mountain and steep in places. The boys got a real respect for mountains and understand a great deal more about trail hiking, hydration and safety. The rest of the boys attended another campfire where they retired an old American flag, skits, jokes and lots good times. The attached picture is of the boys at the top of big rock looking down at the camp. I believe it was the first time for many of these boys saw a real sunset over the smokey mountains over looking a beautiful lake. The pictures don't do it Justice in real life, you have to experience it yourself if you ever get the chance. Today is half way for camp and the boys show no sign of slowing down. They are really gaining self confidence and independence. Its nice to see the boys growing on their own. I am tired and need a shower so I will write again tomorrow. Keep reading and let me know if you have any comments. Thanks Gregg

Wednesday Afternoon

Its Wednesday afternoon and its a very warm day. Its in the upper 80's which is hot up here but most of our boys are used to this kind of weather. This morning we were treated to french toast and sausage which was not bad. I have to say that was one of the better breakfast we have had all week.

This morning's activities including watching the boys carve arrow heads and wicker baskets in arts and crafts. The boys are amazed at what they can do with a little instruction and a piece of wood. The younger scouts are having a blast and at every turn they are experiencing something new. The 2nd and 3rd year scouts are a little more laid back but you can see that they are having just as much fun but they don't want to seem as eager as the newbee's.

Some boys are doing shooting sports like rifle and have never fired a gun before today. They smile from ear to ear when you asking how it went and the excitement in their voice can't hide the pride they feel when they accomplished this merit badge. I have a feeling their will be a few boys wanting something under the Christmas tree this year.

Other boys are taking classes like wildlife, nature and mammal studies that spend most of their time in the woods, creeks and lakes finding all kinds of interesting animals and most importantly getting dirty.

Well this was just a short note until this evening when I try and wrap up today's events. I did want to say that I received some more care packages today for; Jay Mann, Adam Conrad (again) Patty you spoil that boy, and Nicholas and Matthew Bell.

This afternoon after the boys merit badges we are supposed to take a hike up to "Big Rock" on top of the mountain. For boys that might have never seen anything but flat land before that will be a great experience.

Parents I passed along all of your well wishes that you posted comments in the blog. I will try and get some other pictures posted tonight.

Thanks for reading.

Gregg

Tuesday Evening

Well its Tuesday evening and the boys just finished dinner. The had another fun filled day of merit badge classes consisting of swimming, nature hikes, shooting sports, crafts, fishing etc...They are already talking about the classes they want to take next year! The boys are so tired from today's events that they might actually turn in before lights out. I know from chasing around 15 boys over mountains all day, combined with the wonderful culinary treats I think I lost 5lbs. That's ok I needed to lose the weight anyway.

All of the boys are having so much fun meeting boys from other troops exchanging stories and creating friendships that they will talk about forever. Joe, Ray, Steve B, Steve F and myself really think this is a great group of kids and we say thank you to all of you parents for entrusting your sons to us to have an opportunity like this that so many others do not. It really makes our jobs as scout leaders that much easier.

From your comments; Bob I think having 400 boy scouts singing happy birthday to you sounds like a wounderful experience but I am sure spending a nice quite birthday at home after 8 years sounds like that could be fun too.

Lisa, all I can say about Lily is .... well I really don't know what to say. Tell her and Ryan daddy loves them and will be home soon and yes I will bring them a surprise.

There were no care packages delivered today so I will check again tomorrow. The picture attached is of all of the boys in front of the flag pole after dinner. As you can see everyone is happy and well fed. Enjoy and I will write again tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.

Gregg