Robert's last year in scout camp

Robert - a few months back wanted to go to scout camp - then a few months later changed his mind.  Of course that was after Mark and I had signed him up and had other boys and leaders counting on him attending, so we stuck to our original plan and had Robert go.

He had an exciting week planned with activities like ATV riding from 8:00 - 12:00 every morning, then lunch with the troop.  After lunch Robert had three merit badges:  Leather works, Wood carving and sculpting.  Then it was dinner time and free time.  After dinner all the boys did the Oceanography merit badge.  The biggest highlight of the week was something called GAGA BALL.

All the boys loved it, Robert and Devon especially!

One day while at camp Robert wanted to pass off his mile Swim.  It's a special patch the boys can earn.  Well, the weather canceled it until the next day, so then the next day Robert went down to do the mile swim again.  He was more than half way through his swim when all of the sudden the life guards shout out that they can't find someone and order everyone out of the lake so they can look.  Robert was so glad to hear the boy was fine and nothing serious happened, but he was disappointed that the two times he had the opportunity to swim the mile, he didn't get to (finish).  

On Friday, Betsy showed up at 1:00 to pick up the boys.  They cleaned camp and loaded up the car and we headed home.  First we stopped at Sonic for some food - Devon was so hungry and so was Robert.  They ate and ate.

Actually Robert said the food at camp was great and he ate every night except Thursday night so he was hungry!

Robert had a great week.  He spent the week with Trevor Underwood, Zac Fisher and Jay Harvey.  It was a great time.  They also were great "older scouts" to the younger guys!  So proud of them!

Freaky Friday

Friday was just the craziest day.  I got called in to sub at Harmony Elementary in the morning so that changed my plans for the day.  I found it was a bit of a challenge as the kids constantly talk.  She warned me that they were working on being more quiet - clearly they are.  I got off work at 3:00, went to Thornton's to get a snack and then over to the middle school to help distribute the Little Caesar Pizza Kits (our PTSA fundraiser).  I was also picking up my order and Janelle's (since she is home recovering from foot surgery).  When I got there, they had Janelle's order, but not mine.  Mine was $143 worth of food - where was it!  I was upset, but let it go. 

I volunteered to help with the pizza's for two reasons 1) I am the PTSA President so I want to be there to support the fundraiser and it's chairperson, and 2) Robert has soccer try outs until 6:00 so I might as well do service while I wait for him.

Unfortunately, Robert's try outs were postponed until Tuesday of the next week (only 6th & 7th grade tried out today).  So there I was at the school with no pizzas to pick up and no son to pick up either.

Robert and Devon go to Scout Camp

The same week that Marissa and Mommy are at YW camp, Robert and Devon were at Boy Scout camp.  Devon didn't get to go last year so he was super excited to go this year.  He needs three merit badges to earn his Silver Palm and he passed off four at camp.  Done!

Robert and Devon met at the church at 6:00 am with the other boys going - there were approximately 18 boys from our troop - that's huge:  Robert, Ben, Max, Trevor, Reece, Talan, Derek, Austin, Henry, Conner, Ephriam, Riley, Will, and Devon - Devon being the oldest.

The boys were busy all week long attending sessions in their merit badge subjects.

Robert took shot gun, kayaking, forestry, and wilderness survival.  During shot gun Robert's arm was hit by the kick back so he wasn't able to finish the merit badge during the week, but he has a year to finish it.

Devon signed up late but was still able to get into some great merit badge classes.  He took shot gun, pioneering, orienteering and rowing.  He earned all four merit badges and I'm sure he will have a chance to use them when he is away at high adventure next week.

Young Women's Camp - Marissa is a 4th year

Monday to Friday Marissa and Mommy were at Young Women's Camp.  This year it was held at the same place as last year, Camp Crescendo Lion's Camp.

Monday - Marissa arrived at the Crestwood Stake Center at 6:30 am to meet the other 4th Years girls (24 in total) to head out on their 12 mile hike!  They were transported to Bernheim Forest (right where Devon and Robert were) for their hike and overnight camping.  The girls hiked for 12 miles - 7 miles longer than the required 5 miles.  They hiked all day with a day pack and sleeping bag.  Sweet dreams Marissa.

On the other side of the mountain (really a hill) Mommy was with Sister Vicki Johnson, Camp Director and the YCC's getting camp ready for the campers.  We made door signs, bed signs for absolutely every girl coming to camp, YCC assignments, reviewed the Faith walk, Personal Progress, and the YCC skit.  That evening after the Faith walk, Vicki and I treated the girls to an hour and a half at the pool.  AWESOME!

Tuesday - preparations, registration, campers arrive, lunch, field day, dinner, speaker - Kari McOmber, faith walk, ward devotional and lights out

Wednesday - Rise and Shout " oops".  4th Years very tired, breakfast, certification, personal progress, lunch, fun classes - extra pool time, dinner, speaker - Rick Diamond, ward devotionals and lights out.

personal progress 

lake time

Certification about plants and insects

Certification for first aid - injured person relays

Thursday - YCC's wake girls up - not me.  Breakfast, speaker from Karen Hansen, service project, lunch, recreation time - zumba, pool, lake, certification, cooking, fire safety, dinner, testimony meeting, campfire and smokes, dance, lights' out.

Marissa, Meg and Rachel pulling weeds
at the cafeteria after staining a band stand

service with a smile

Every day we had singing time, devotional time, and scripture time

Marissa, Morgan, Rachel, Amy, Bethany, and ???

More lake time for everyone

Game time was so much fun

 Friday - pack up and head home

Jefferson Park Camping and Orienteering

Robert and Devon finally got to do a campout together.  Devon had been busy with XC for the last campout which Robert was able to attend, so it was extra nice to have them back together camping.

The scout troop went to Jeffereson Park (45 minutes away).  They camped Friday night and then did an orienteering coarse the next morning.  Mark picked Devon up early (11:00 am) on Saturday so he could get to work by 1:00.

Robert had a great time!  He said Spot #9 was the hardest "full of thorns, but we got it!"

Marissa goes to Young Women's Camp

Emily Alana, Meg and Marissa

Marissa's cabin and bunk bed (ever so neat)

Marissa left on Tuesday, June 28 until Friday, July 1 to finish her third year of Young Women's camp.  This was the first time in five years that the girls were NOT camping in tents, instead they were at a ranch south of Elizabethtown.  It was also the first time at this location.  Everything was provided - bunk beds, food, shelter.  Wow!  The girls slept in large dorm-style rooms with 12 girls in each room.  This year they had all the girls of the same "Camp Year" stay together instead of having the girls from each ward stay together.  It has pluses and minuses (as Marissa puts it).  She really liked being with the other girls from Crestwood 2nd since some of those girls go to her school.

Marissa, Alana, Meg, a girl from Bardstown, Sarah, Leah, and Emily

The ranch had a lake for canoeing and a pool for swimming.  They could not swim in the lake because it has snakes.  YUCK!

Her favorite part of camp was canoeing on the lake.  "It was fun!" she exclaimed when asked what her favorite part of camp was.  She also liked the pool, "It was huge", and the skits "I liked all but one skit."

She came home Friday around 11:oo am.  It was a very short camp.  I personally wish they would make Young Women's camp equal to Boy Scout camp.  I think it only fair, but that's just my wish.

Scout Camp for Robert

Robert in the tent he used for the week

Robert left for Scout Camp on Monday at 6:30 am.  He's been at Camp Crooked Creek with his troop and friends, Reece, Max, Ben, Ryan, Riley, Trevor, Ephriam, and more for the whole week.  They spent the whole week there in tents, cooking their own food and taking care of themselves.  They also had the opportunity to attend merit badge workshops.  This week he worked on the following merit badges:

Emergency Preparedness
Communication
Public Speaking
Swimming
Fish and Wildlife
Art

Not all the boys:  Ben, DJay, Zane (leader), Robert, Ryan,
Ephriam, Max, Devon (didn't attend), and Riley.

He also spent time cooking, cleaning and fishing.   Luckily, they had good weather for the majority of the time.  Wednesday there was a bad thunderstorm that came through in the night, but other than that - they had good weather ranging in the 80 degree marks.  It's been a long week since I had no communication with him.  I hoped and prayed all was going well.

I drove down on Friday with Devon and Marissa to pick him up.  He looked so comfortable there at camp.  He had a great time, but was tired and ready to go home.  I really appreciate all that his leaders did/do to make the scouting experience so wonderful!

July - Better Than Expected

Well, July is turning out better than expected.
Robert went to Rajon Rondo's basketball camp the first week of July, (he had a great time)Robert went to Bellarmine University Soccer camp (1/2 day) the second week of July, (awesome)
Marissa will attend Jessica's HS basketball camp this week,
while Jessica is one of the camp counselors, (even with her cast)
On July 23, the family is going with Marissa's Girl Scout troop to King's Island Amusement Park, and the BIG thing we are all looking forward to is ...On July 24 we leave for 7 days in CANCUN.Like I said, better than expected. I'm so excited. The whole family is going. We are going to Tulum and Chinchen Itza (Maya ruins - LDS historical sights).

Summer Camps

The first week of summer and already camps are in action.

Jessica is at Church Young Women's Camp with three friends, (Tyler, Meagan and Jenny). They camped at Otter Creek Metro Park; they had a great time! This was their 4th year so they had to do the 5 mile hike and camp overnight (away from camp). They came through with shining colors.

Devon went to Boy Scout Camp. He worked on five merit badges, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Citizenship in the Nation, Fingerprinting, Communication, and Weather. He loves BSA camp - he's off in his own world proving he actually doesn't need us. He does so great at camp.

Marissa went to Girl Scout Day Camp. Luckily she comes home each night (need her cuddles and hugs). She had a great time - this year's theme was all about cooking.

Robert is the major camper this year. He went to Cub Scout camp and had a great time with his friends! He also attended

Rojan Rondo's basketball camp - go Celtics!, While there he met Edgar Sosa of the UofL men's basketball team, and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics.

Next week is Bellarmine University Soccer camp with friends from his team, Matthew and Mason. The last week of July is Thoroughbred Elite Soccer Camp.

Jessica is attending a special HS girls shooting clinic. She will be taking private basketball and track lessons.

Marissa is taking a girls basketball camp (being offered by Jessica's high school team). She has no interest in basketball - she just wants to support her big sister.

Camping with 11 year olds

Hi, I took my Girl Scout troop camping over Memorial Day weekend (only one night). We had a great time. The girls learned to pitch tents, start a fire, (roast marshmallows), and cook breakfast on a Coleman Stove.

The next morning we broke camp after breakfast and then went for a 2 mile hike.