Wilderness - Scenes around camp...

..just a few parting shots...

Our Campsite - Jicarilla (Pronounced hek-a-REH-ya)

The name “Jicarilla” means little basket and denotes an art form that made the basket makers unique. Other handicraft mastered by some tribal members are bead work, leather work, painting and pottery.
It's from the Jicarilla Apache Nation


...our little shelter in camp...

...The Prayer of the Woods...

A Scout is...

...Trustworthy...

...Loyal...

...Helpful

...Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and...

...Reverent...

...These signs were posted around camp and I intended to get to each one of them for a photograph...but alas...I did not make it...oh well...next year...

...and the Trading Post...such a draw for the boys - who all had some spending money they just couldn't wait to spend - so many pops (that's Cokes to you Southerners), knives, compasses, T-Shirts, carabiners, crafts, Merit Badge booklets, and snacks were bought there...

Wilderness - Day 7

...There's not a lot going on the last day of camp...

...just taking everything down and loading it back up for the trip home...
........and the final inspection and Commisioner checkout...

...the thing I loved hearing this morning was all the scouts talking about what they are going to take next year...

Wilderness - Sweater Update #4 - Complete

...the arm bands are done and the side seams are sewn - so the sweater is complete - YAY!
.......this was a lot of fun to knit - I can't wait to send it off to Karen...

Wilderness - Day 6

...The last full day at camp - everyone is tired - but I love hearing the boys talking about what they are going to sign up for next year...

...the lake at 6 AM...

...Trailblazers is almost over - the scouts had to make a structure using the lashings that they learned...

...picking out their wood...

...Scout's team made a tripod stand to go over a fire - the team that won made a ladder - sadly they had dismantled all of them before I got back for another picture...

...the winning team got to be first to ride this Merry-Go-Round made of just timbers and lashings - the leaders spin it up and then it just winds down - but it's a fast and fun ride!

...the line waiting for the ride...

...Scout started the final project for his Basketry Merit Badge - a woven chair seat - both the baskets are done...

...it was quite warm out - lucky there was a hose nearby...

...one of the scouts asked if he could take some pictures with my camera - of course I said 'yes' - he took this picture of me, and several other silly ones...notice that I've cast on for a pair of socks - you didn't think I'd come to camp with just one project did you?...Karen's vest is finished...FO post to follow...

...Scout passed his test for his Motorboating Merit Badge...

...and was honored with all the Chaplain's Aides at the final Flag Ceremony...

...and finished his chair seat for his Basketry Merit Badge...

...and then we went to the final Campfire...

...ooops - there's another photo of me - taking a photo - of course...

Wilderness - Sweater Update #3

...an early morning shot - the V-Neck is finished and the shoulder seams sewn - on to the armbands now...I'm pretty sure I'll be done before camp is over...

Wilderness - Day 5

...I started my day early by helping serve breakfast - it was fun working with the camp staff and another leader in the kitchen - and we got to wear a cool paper hat...but I look pretty sleepy - don't I...

...the twins celebrated a birthday while we were at camp - everyone signed a card and the kitchen staff graciously baked birthday cake for them...

...or a BITHDAY cake as the case may be - we all thought that was hilarious and we even sang Happy Bithday to you...

...after supper I took the boys through the 'Bog Walk'...

...it was a lot of fun and a lot of interesting things to see...

...Scout even spotted this tiny frog...

...later around the campfire - Scout (as Chaplain's Aide) explained the Duty to God medals to the group - there was lots of interest...

Wilderness Camp - Sweater Update #2

...the boys days here are packed full...mine are busy as well - but I'm finding time to work on Karen's sweater...the stockinette stitch back and the V neck are done now...

Wilderness - Day 4

...this was the most PACKED day of all...

...we started with some more swimming - ya gotta do that every day ya know...

...then the boys had to prepare 3 meals in camp - lunch today was one of them...

...they did pretty well and seemed to enjoy their own cooking - we adults did not help at all...

...then some knot tying - instruction...

...and practice...

...then supper was also cooked in camp - there was quite a flame up over the fire - notice my veggie burger and buns are quite safe on the grill...

...after supper was Chapel...Scout was one of the Chaplain's Aides who led the singing...

...then on this whirlwind of activity day - we headed straight from Chapel to the Commissioner's Campfire - one campsite is chosen in each area of the camp for a Commissioner's Campfire - and for us it was Iowa - right across the trail from us...

...we performed our skit "The Right Paper" - the Scoutmaster keeps asking the boys to bring him the 'right paper' so he can 'get the job done'...

...and the boys keep bringing him forms filled out...

...and he keeps yelling at them that it's not the 'right paper'...

...until one of the scouts brings him a roll of toilet paper - and he finally exclaims - 'Finally, I can get the job done - because now I have the right paper' - hahaha - our Scoutmaster is such a good sport...the boys thought it was hilarious!

...next we had a Flag retirement ceremony - I had never been to one before...

...they inspect the flag to make sure it's beyond repair...

...then reverently and slowly lower it onto the blazing fire - they did this about 10 times as several troops had brought old flags to camp with them for disposal...

...Next up, right at sunset - the OA Call-Out...

...we followed our Order of the Arrow guides through the gathering darkness to a 'secret' location - two of our scouts were called out...

...then we were led back to our camps by the guides with firelit torches...