Cub Scout Day Camp!!!

So Day Camp started right after my parents left.  They called this camp a 'twilight camp' because the time was from 1:00-8:00pm.  The camp was all week long, which is a lot longer than our previous Stake-run camps which were usually only a Friday and Saturday.  This camp was put on by the scout council so it was pretty neat to see all the things that they did.  Our pack was the largest, but there were about 10-12 other packs there.  I would guess around 200 cubs in all.  

Doug and I volunteered three of the days.  Doug went on Tuesday and I went up on Wednesday and Thursday.  Friday was family day so I took the girls and Chris up at the end on Friday and just stayed for the last 2 hours.  

It was a lot of fun, but HOT!  We were all just dripping with sweat.  The Webelos had their own camp and agenda; they were out in the sun basically all day.  The Wolves and Bears were together and they had a few activities inside so they got a break from the heat.  They had a special something for the Wolves and Bears each day, Tuesday was a hands on insect exhibit and Wednesday they brought in an enclosed mini dome that allowed the kids to watch an astronomy show lying down.  An exhibit from the Forest Rangers came on Thursday and on Friday some representatives from the fire department and SWAT team were there with their trucks, weapons, and gear.  The firemen sprayed all the kids at the end on Friday.  They got soooo wet - at least those that chose to do so.    

Damon was put in a group of 4 boys from different packs.  They worked as a team to learn the Scout oath, law, slogan, motto, and the outdoor code.  They started a fire with flint and steel and boiled some water.  They went on a 'hike' (really just a walk around the perimeter of the grounds) and learned some first aid stuff.  He had a good time.  He was bummed the first day that he wasn't with his friend from his den, but I think he made friends with his group by the end of the week.

Fire!

Damon was excited to see a friend from school at camp, Noah.

Damon and Tyler both said they liked the range the best.  Damon liked shooting with the BB guns best and Tyler liked archery best.  They were both really good marksmen.  The range master even complemented Tyler on his good BB skills.  I was able to get a video of both of them popping their balloons in archery.  

Wilderness scavenger hunt. 

Making puppets, Tyler's was a crazy snowman.

The Forest Rangers brought animal skins.

Playing marbles, Tyler was a good shot.

During lunch on Thursday a professional puppeteer came and put on a show while we ate.  He was very animated and was silly - which is great for a bunch of cub scouts.  It was neat to see the different types of puppets.  This was a shadow puppet on a screen that he controlled with sticks.

Everybody likes getting into a firetruck - I have a lot of pictures like these.

The last day they had some push mobile races.  I didn't get there in time to see Damon race, and Tyler missed it because he was shooting on the range.  But he pushed Chris around on the lawn for a bit.

The girls took a turn too.

Chris enjoyed his blue Gatorade.  We loaded up on snacks this week to keep us going.  They were all excited to have Gatorade which is usually only given to them when they are sick - or playing in a sporting event.

It was a busy and long week, but the boys had a good time.  It was hard because it was so late.  The boys wouldn't get home until 8:30 or so and they would be so sweaty and gross that they would have to take a bath.  So bedtime was late for a week, but it worked out ok.  I had some friends watch the girls when I volunteered.  Chris was able to come with me and be in the "Me Too" program, basically a day care for the children of the volunteers.  He did a lot of fun activities and had a good time - he was tired though on those two days.

Yay for the scouting program and yay for day camp!  It is so great to have some good programs for boys to participate in.