Cub Scout Day Camp '10

This year our whole family had a role to play

in the Cub Scout Day Camp that

is held each year the week after school is out.

First and foremost Henry was

a first year camper! He attended with his wolf den,

and after some initial trepidation

(he's my routine bug who always

wants to know what to expect next)

he settled in and had a great week. Harriet and Jack went as

youth volunteers known as Orange Shirts and

had a great time running the Cub Games activity

while racking up some service hours

and future resume boosters.

On the two days that Pete and

me were scheduled to show

up as Adult volunteers Jed was able to be in the

Sibling Camp and participate in some

of the same activities as the Scouts.

This was great for him, because next year he will be

a first year camper! Pete was still recovering

from knee surgery so I took both of our

volunteer days, which gave me an opportunity

to see first hand the great time all the kids had.

Henry with his den plus some - Red group #1

First thing every morning - flag raising and salute

The five days the camp is held is full of

traditional scout opportunities to earn belt loops

and pins toward their wolf badges,

as well as fun sports activities, crafts and games.

Henry was able to try out a few new things,

came home with a few treasures,

and eventually completed all of the

achievements which will earn him his Wolf!

Woodworking to build a birdhouse

2 liter water bottle rockets

tying knots (of course)

proper American flag raising,

lowering, folding techniques (natch)

It is a sunny morning when our group hikes

up the hills to the water towers at the top -

most of the mornings this week

were cool and overcast, but of course

for the days I was there the sun was out

and shining with full force - perfect for

the water activities, but a bit of a

burden for our hike at full exposure.

"remember, leaves of three, let it be!"

our group at the top with beautiful

Rancho Santa Margarita CA in the background

our hike leader stops us on the way back

down to make way for a snake

Cub Games

Henry has a great time playing

different sports here all week -

he especially loved playing flag football

(Jack behind Henry in the orange shirt running the activity)

One of the highlights is the archery range -

the campers get a chance to do this every day

The archery range is as well

organized as the rest of the day camp -

every attention to safety detail is taken

load arrow

at the whistle, aim and release

when the range master gives the all clear signal

everyone goes and retrieves their arrows, holding

them out from their body as they return them to the quiver

Orange Shirt Volunteers

catching their ride up to scenic O'Neill Regional Park

where our Day Camp is held every year -

Jack and Harriet volunteer with some other

kids from our ward and have

an absolute blast. So far I know this has

been the highlight of their summer!

(before you aussie cousins arrive....)

Our kids ran the cub games,

which were the sporting activities.

They taught the kids to play

several sports including soccer and flag football,

as well as fun activities like go-carts and stilts.

On Friday is the big mud war,

which is the highlight of the cub games -

both the orange shirts and the campers

look forward to this all week.

Our campers in the water war gear, ready to go to battle

Henry is front and center in the action

small squishy balls are soaked in water

and thrown at the opposing team,

each who has a cardboard box built barrier

to hide behind and strategically

throw from. The dirt soon turns into mud.

Above is Jack manning the action

at the megaphone (center screen)

while Harriet is right in the middle of the action

water war casualty - mud ball to the ear

I take the twins' challenge and ran the gauntlet between

the two opposing teams, dodging mud artillery

Muddy Henry, all smiles at the end

getting hosed down afterwards

warriors recuperating,

grateful now for the warm sunlight

Jed had a fun time the two days he was in the sibling camp -

he was ready to join the scouts at any moment!

Harriet and I visit him at his camp at lunchtime

the siblings get to shoot on the archery range as well,

Jed could have done this all day

In his enclosure, waiting for us to pick him up at the end of camp

all smiles - as were we all at the end of the week

We'll be back next year!