About the Family Camp-Out Weekend

Dear Friends,

I’m back!  So, I thought I’d tell you a bit about our camp-out.  This was for the Cub Scouts family camping weekend, at a campground owned and (sort of) run by the Boy Scouts.  I say “sort of run” because nobody seems to actually “run” it—it’s all volunteers, which is nice, but causes some problems.

The area where the camp is located is beautiful—lots and lots of trees, a lake, and far enough away from civilization that we could see millions of stars in the black sky each night.

On the other hand, the facilities aren’t real clean or in the best repair, there is a dearth of picnic tables and benches (no where to sit!), and the paths are covered in sticks and pine needles and debris (when they ought to have been raked/swept/otherwise cleared previous to the start of camp).  To top it all off, the lack of “being run” means the whole thing was quite disorganized.  When we arrived, there were no signs to direct us where to go.  We had not a clue what we were supposed to be doing or where we were meant to put our tent.  Thankfully, we ran into the only other folks there from our “pack,” and they happened to have done this before and were better informed.  We let them lead us!

Our camp site was on a slope.  Every time I walked into the tent, I felt like I was going to topple over.  Once I sat down in there, I could barely manage to get back up.  At night, we would go to sleep in our proper places, and in the morning, we would all find we’d slid downhill.  I must  have gotten used to it, though, because when I got back home on Sunday and was standing at the kitchen sink washing my hands, I felt like I was in a boat—even that floor didn’t feel level.  I felt totally out of balance and had to take a travel-sickness prevention pill to be able to get my bearings back.  Urban,  too, felt a little woozy.

But now that I’ve had my Complaint Fest, let me tell you the good things about the camp-out!

We shared our campsite with a lovely couple and their two sons, the oldest of whom is in the same Cub Scout pack as Urban.  They generously shared their grill and lawn chairs with us (we hadn’t brought any chairs—didn’t know we’d need them).  The wife’s name is Tiffani, and she is the exact opposite of what you’d expect someone with that name to be.  I was delighted to learn that she is a soap maker—something I am hugely interested in.  Her husband, Mark, works at the university and knows many of the same people Brian knows.  The two of them even had some students there at the camp, doing demonstrations.

Saturday was the main day of activity.  There were stations set all around the camp with things for the kids to do.  Urban walked across a rope bridge.  We learned about how scientists test water for levels of dissolved oxygen, acidity, turbidity, and something else I can’t remember.  We went on a nature scavenger hunt and got very lucky, finding everything we needed in a matter of minutes.  The boys got to shoot bows and arrows and b-b guns—Urban even earned a high enough score to qualify for the Junior U.S. Shooting Team!

At night, we had a campfire and roasted marshmallows and made s’mores.  The five boys (ours and our friends’) played hide-and-go seek.  I think that was probably everybody’s favorite time, just hanging out around the fire.  (It was mine, anyway!)

* * * *

On Sunday, we returned home.  Thus ensued all the crazy post-camp activity of sorting laundry; giving kids baths; hanging the tent out to dry (it rained for hours between Friday night and Saturday morning, so the tent was still wet in spots); and putting things away.

Late Sunday afternoon, we had to attend a faculty picnic for Brian’s work.  He “had” to go because he’d discovered late on Friday that he wasn’t on the e-mail list informing everyone of a special/important meeting on Monday afternoon—a meeting he was ill-prepared for.  He had to be at the picnic in order to meet-up with one of his colleagues to discuss what their presentation at the meeting would be.

The picnic was at a lovely park owned by the university.  Right on the lake-front (not the same lake as the Boy Scout camp, though).  There was a huge metal slide (the old-fashioned kind like we had at my elementary school, the kind they don’t make anymore) and some swings, so the boys had a great time running around and playing.  The meal was catered by a barbecue joint and was quite good except for the drinks—all they had (all they had!) was iced tea, sweet or even sweeter.  “Sweet tea” seems to be the beverage of choice here in the South.  I’ve never liked iced tea, and I don’t know if I ever will.  I choked down as much of it as I could, and so did Brian.  The boys each took a tiny sip and then proceeded to ask, “Isn’t there anything else to drink?”  We all left parched.

* * * *

Still and all, it was a really lovely weekend.  It was so nice to get away from computers, television, the phone (especially those annoying telemarketing and political message recordings!).  And it felt good to get such an abundance of fresh, cool, fall air.

I am exhausted from it all, but rejuvenated, too.  I just realized this morning that October is rapidly coming to a close.  I’ve got to get a move-on.  There are so many things I want to do before the holidays!

Hope you and yours are all well.  Stop by again soon!  Now that I’ve had my break, I’m ready to blog up a storm!

~ Kimberly