I'll just say from the outset, that my descriptions of Scout Camp 2015 will not do it the justice it deserves. Mostly because I wasn't there, and even though the boys tell me a lot of what happened, I know that a lot of what happens at Scout Camp stays at Scout Camp. Also, because I cannot communicate over typed word with the same excitement, animation and volume that the boys relate all the stories. I could try to type it in all caps, but even then, you wouldn't quite grasp the emotion.
With Mark as their fearless, highly organized, determined leader, the boys set off for Maple Dell Scout Camp early Monday morning. From left to right: Jack Stringham, Tanner Nelson, Jonathan Prisbrey, Seth Larsen, D.J. Astling, Brock Gregersen, Spencer Astling, Mark Astling and Todd Porter. Todd, another very dedicated leader helped taxi the boys down South to Payson, Utah. Unfortunately, that night, while returning to camp after the opening fireside program, Todd fainted and though there were EMT's around him to help, he was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Mark accompanied him and though the ER Dr. decided there was nothing wrong but dehydration, Todd's wife came to pick him up. Later that week, Todd discovered that he had a few blocked arteries that required stints. He is doing well now though, thank goodness!
The view from Maple Dell, above Payson.
Maple Dell Scout Camp offers merit badge classes that fulfill basic requirements, as well as optional merit badges. The boys are kept busy all week with learning along with fun.
The next pictures are D.J. learning to start a fire.
We recently watched Cast Away, with Tom Hanks, where he finally is able to start a fire on his deserted island and when he does, he yells FIRE! FI-RE! FI-AH! Below is D.J.'s rendition of Tom Hanks in that scene.
Don't mess with the cool kids. Seth, Spencer and Tanner. Seth and Spencer didn't really need to work on merit badges, but they went along as Jr. leaders.
Spencer was quite successful with archery and rifle shooting. He had the second best record of the camp in archery and the best in rifle shooting.
D.J., Jonathon, Jack, Brock and Tanner spent the night under the stars, apart from the rest of the troop. This was their departing picture. Mark said he took the picture to show authorities, just in case they didn't return the next day.
D.J. and Brock are fairly inseparable. They have a huge amount of fun together and challenge each other in levels of learning and goofiness.
Thankfully this year the lake was free of water mites, so swimming was stress-free.
Also taking advantage of mite-free water, Spencer and Seth repeated a canoe class.
A sign of the times: Movie Making merit badge. You might have noticed the blue shirts the scouts have on in these pictures. Mark decided the boys needed t-shirts (Class B uniforms) this year and tasked Brock and D.J. with creating the design. The front of the shirt sports a diagonal banner that says Troop 1401. The back (as seen below) sports the numbers of pi, highlighting the consecutive numbers 1401, with an arrowed circle containing the scout slogan: Do a good turn daily.
Clever scouts!
The name of the camp site.
The hammocks were a special treat this year. D.J. brought this one and Brock brought another.
Jonathon is taking advantage of the lounger.
Taking part of planning and cooking the meals helps fill merit badge requirements. The scouts were lucky to have a scout master who is adept with Excel spreadsheets for organization.
The scouts participated in a number of trust and team building exercises.
This exercise they had to figure out how to get the whole group from point A to point B by using 2x4's laid into logs and not touching the ground.
A teamwork day would be complete without the trust fall, most were completely trustworthy.
This is the cookie factory. Scouts line up facing each other with their arms out, waiting for another scout to yell their favorite cookie and take a running jump into their arms. Once in their arms, the standing scouts convey the cookie scout to the end of the line and then stand them up. Yes, they made the scout leaders be cookies too.
The climbing wall, was without hand or foot holds, but they were asked to get each other over that wall nonetheless. They mostly hoisted each other up, but when it came to the last few, they used their own belts to lift up the end scouts.
DJ and Spencer are on the right.
The whole troop, plus some.
The pinnacle of the Maple Dell scout experience is the Battle of Maple Dell. After being swamped by a seemingly older than allowed group last year, our scout troop was ready for battle. Spencer, D.J., Seth and Brock were the chosen four to enter the canoe.
Spencer was supremely proud of the winning move. The other canoe was focusing more on balance and was leaning away from our team. Spencer got the idea that instead of trying to push down on the side of the opposing canoe, to lift up, which is the way they were already tilted. The opposition was swamped quickly.
Hail the conquering heroes!!
This method proved to be successful in all attempts.
When Troop 1401 were deemed the winners, they were asked to board the counselor canoe and walk the plank, which all of them did in high style! Seth initiated with cannonball.
Spencer
Brock
DJ was so fast going off the plank, Mark barely got him in the picture!
Troop 1401 is number 1! For their trophy they received a paddle with the troop's number and all of the camp counselor signatures. What great memories for all the scouts and leaders!
