Well, we started out September with such high hopes, however our first month was... less than spectacular.
Then October came, and our first weekend was spectacular! Friday we found a potential new Scout, and Saturday we got all zombied up and headed down to the Asbury Park boardwalk to participate in the annual Asbury Park Zombie Walk!
Last year, the NJ's honor was taken away when Minneapolis took the Guinness World Record for most zombies in one place at one time. NJ, and Asbury Park in particular, were determined to get those bragging rights back, so all the zombies of NJ descended on the Asbury Park beach.
Despite being unseasonably warm, the turn out was great and we beat out Minneapolis for the record by over 1,000 zombies! That means that Troop 101 is now in the Guinness Book of World Records! (We were also pretty popular with everyone down there too - not only were we a themed group, we were an actual Scout Troop!) Everyone is already working on improvements to our costumes...
On top of that, we were approached by a National Geographic photographer who is compiling a book about zombies... or maybe the zombie phenomenon. We don't know yet. At any rate, we were photographed by a NG photographer and are going to be in a book! (and its not about Scouting!)
How cool is that?!
I'd love to post pics, but we're having a few issues at the moment. I'll update later.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Summer Camp 2013
I'm really behind on keeping the blog up-to-date. To all 7 of our loyal readers, I apologize. For those of you who don't know, I work on a computer all week, and on some occasions well into the night and the next morning. The last thing I like to do is go on the computer on my days off and my down time - but for the most part, between actual work and Scouts, there isn't much of that either.
At any rate, I apologize, and I will hopefully be keeping this up-to-date with more and exciting news as the weeks and months continue.
That being said, summer camp.
This year we had a very strange phenomenon happen - it was actually COLD at summer camp. That's right, cold. Sure, in past years there have been times when you get up and throw on a pair of shorts, a t-shirt and a sweatshirt because its a little chilly, but for the most part by the time breakfast is over, you've taken the sweatshirt off because the sun has heated the woods to 80 and the humidity has gone through the roof.
This year, on Thursday, I wore not only long pants, boots, hat and fleece, but I had them on all day. Mr. Foray woke up one morning wearing a wool hat (thought what possessed him to even bring a wool hat to summer camp I still haven't figured out.) So, yeah, it was cold for summer camp. On the up side, none of our campers or the rest of the camp had any issues with heatstroke, sunburn or heat exhaustion - though there may have been hypothermia down during the swimming merit badge in the morning, though don't quote me on that.
Frankly, based on the weather we were having before we left, when the temps were reaching the high 90's with 100% humidity, I was concerned not only for my Scout's health, but for my own as well. For the most part, we get so used to being able to wonder into an air conditioned building or car whenever we want, that when we don't have the convenience, we forget how taxing weather can be on the healthiest of people. In conversations with staff members, they told me that their own EMT passed out during the heat wave because he didn't leave the AC cooled health lodge for a few days, and then tried to go rappelling. He was fine, but it goes to show that even the best trained are sometimes affected badly.
As for life in our little corner of Turrell, things were a bit better than in past years - we tried a few new items that helped us out in the long run. The first was a portable message board, which was coated in chalkboard paint as well as magnetic paint so that we could post papers, as well as right daily messages. The reason this was important was because we didn't have a message board to hang our important papers on, and it cost us in our campsite inspection. So, we solved the problem.
We also solved the issue of the tiny, and leaky dining fly over our eating area. Last year, it rained quite a bit, and the tarp leaked from the middle, right into our food during meals. Not to mention that it was pretty small, and we all were at the table on top of each other trying to stay dry - most of the time to no avail. So, being fed up with staff not properly storing their equipment, I headed to the hardware store and bought a 30'x20' tarp - yes, you read that right. (Yes, it is huge.)
It worked great - we had our message board, or patrol box, water jugs, juice jugs, table, and camp chairs all underneath, and everyone had room to spare. The down side - that large of a tarp holds a lot of water. When it rained (which happily wasn't much) gallons of water would build up and need to be emptied - in minutes. Alot of other Scouters who saw it thought we had some sort of MMA fight going on underneath, but they were pretty jealous when we were comfy during the rains.
We're thinking a frame to put the tarp on for next year. It gets annoying having to drain it every 5 minutes.
Speaking of the kitchen, ours was probably the best in camp, other than the one at the dining hall... actually, ours was the only one at camp. I was at the Scoutmaster's meeting, and the question was asked 'Who needs a sheephearder?' and I enthusiastically raised my hand... which I then realized was the only one in the air. I looked around, and said 'Really?' in disbelief. How can a troop go camping and not cook in their own site? Then I heard another Scoutmaster whisper 'What's a sheephearder?'
I damn near cried.
Shaking my head in dismay, I was asked how many I needed; really, I needed one, but I said give me 2, 3 - whatever you want - I'll take whatever is on the truck. By the time I returned to my site, I had three, because (and I quote) "We had three, and we knew you needed only two, but we didn't feel like driving the other one down to the yard, and we figured you'd use it anyway."
AND USE IT WE DID! As our usual M.O. we started inviting staff to our site for meals, two of which were the Nature Director and the Handicraft Director (both ladies) who were a vegan and a vegetarian. So, our one sheephearder was for veggies only, the second became our baking surface (we got really good using aluminum trays to create a oven on the top without burning anything) and the third was for pretty much everything else. We also discovered that the waterfront staff was cooking on their own sheephearder during lunch, so we invited them as well. For lunch all week, we had at least 4 staff member eating with us and horsing around on the monkey bridge.
That 30'x20' tarp doesn't look so crazy now, does it?
How did this all pay off? Well, the waterfront staff was so appreciative, on their night out they went and got fresh ingredients for stuffed peppers, chicken Parmesan, and garlic bread, and cooked dinner for us on Thursday night! (Thursday is the kitchen staff's night off, so everyone has to cook in site.)
Our guys made chili, and we all shared the bounty together. The staff then had to go and do open boating, but then came back and roasted marshmallows with us over the open fire.
The staff loved it because most of them had either done it when they were in their Scout troop, or had never done it (i.e. the ladies) and our Scout liked hanging out with the staff when they weren't on duty (I told them when they are eating with us they are friends, not staff). We also got paid a great compliment that our Scouts were well behaved and weren't bugging the staff about merit badges or anything - I think the term used was they were "chill".
I actually should have said this before, but our Scouts earned the cooking merit badge this year, which will be required for Eagle next year. So, they left after breakfast and then returned for dinner - they had to cook lunch for the merit badge with their counselor. That meant that Mr. Foray and I were all alone all day (and thus bored) which is what started the staff coming over for lunch.
...and speaking of the cooking merit badge, I was very happy and proud when our Scouts pointed out to the counselor that he was using sheephearder wrong, and got him in trouble for it.
Then there was our site guide, Kevin. We've been going to Turrell for so long that we don't need a site guide to show us around, but they do get us certain equipment that we don't carry, but still need that are provided by the camp. The first is a sheephearder - so we can cook. The second is a fire bucket - in case something gets out of hand. The third - a patrol box to store our cooking utensils, pots and pans.
Our site guide failed us. I had to ask another staff member for sheephearders, I had to beg the director for a patrol box, and he gave us a fire bucket with a hole in the bottom.
Kevin worked in Handicraft, near our site, and the location of several of our Scouts' merit badges. On a daily basis, he was reminded that he had failed us, and things got a little crazy when our fun little rivalry became the talk of not only Handicraft, but also the whole camp. (Its weird when another Scout stops you on the trail to tell you the counselor won't let your Scouts out of class.)
Kevin was talking trash, so we had to teach him a bit of a lesson- he coveted his hooded staff sweatshirt, and the more he talked trash, the more we had to have the sweatshirt as a trophy. Our latest Eagle Scout (and reigning Monkey Bridge King) visited us on Tuesday, and we told Kevin that he had to fight "the Greek" in order to redeem himself.
Despite the fact that he said we'd never get his sweatshirt, we got the sweatshirt.
We hung it in a place of honor 30' over our gateway. In the process of getting it down, he left his hat behind, and when he fought the Greek (and lost) he left behind his wallet, two pocket knives and a lighter.
At this point, it wasn't even fun anymore, it was just too easy. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't get everything back. I gave several other staff members his stuff and told them they could do whatever they wanted to make him get it back.
I wonder if the waterfront staff ever got that cake? :)
In spite of all this, Kevin wanted another shot at the title against Nick. Despite Nick's short time with us, we put some time aside for the rematch. It was a long match which ended in a draw. Why? Well...
I'm sad to say that we lost a crucial member of the troop this summer. Its with a heavy heart that I report the death of one of our come-a-longs. Donations can be made to Troop 101 care of the Come-A-Long Memorial Fund. :(
At the end of the week, Kevin got his stuff back, the boys earned merit badges, and we all had a great time.
There are more stories, some involving us all, some involving individual Scouts. I could tell you about a small war that started with a crush on the Handicraft Director, Daisy, between two Scouts who are friends and have been for several years. (It got pretty intense when it sounded like someone was getting shanked - on Monday night!)
If you want to hear more, ask the Scouts, or join and be a part of the stories!
Pictures can be found here.
At any rate, I apologize, and I will hopefully be keeping this up-to-date with more and exciting news as the weeks and months continue.
That being said, summer camp.
This year we had a very strange phenomenon happen - it was actually COLD at summer camp. That's right, cold. Sure, in past years there have been times when you get up and throw on a pair of shorts, a t-shirt and a sweatshirt because its a little chilly, but for the most part by the time breakfast is over, you've taken the sweatshirt off because the sun has heated the woods to 80 and the humidity has gone through the roof.
This year, on Thursday, I wore not only long pants, boots, hat and fleece, but I had them on all day. Mr. Foray woke up one morning wearing a wool hat (thought what possessed him to even bring a wool hat to summer camp I still haven't figured out.) So, yeah, it was cold for summer camp. On the up side, none of our campers or the rest of the camp had any issues with heatstroke, sunburn or heat exhaustion - though there may have been hypothermia down during the swimming merit badge in the morning, though don't quote me on that.
Frankly, based on the weather we were having before we left, when the temps were reaching the high 90's with 100% humidity, I was concerned not only for my Scout's health, but for my own as well. For the most part, we get so used to being able to wonder into an air conditioned building or car whenever we want, that when we don't have the convenience, we forget how taxing weather can be on the healthiest of people. In conversations with staff members, they told me that their own EMT passed out during the heat wave because he didn't leave the AC cooled health lodge for a few days, and then tried to go rappelling. He was fine, but it goes to show that even the best trained are sometimes affected badly.
As for life in our little corner of Turrell, things were a bit better than in past years - we tried a few new items that helped us out in the long run. The first was a portable message board, which was coated in chalkboard paint as well as magnetic paint so that we could post papers, as well as right daily messages. The reason this was important was because we didn't have a message board to hang our important papers on, and it cost us in our campsite inspection. So, we solved the problem.
We also solved the issue of the tiny, and leaky dining fly over our eating area. Last year, it rained quite a bit, and the tarp leaked from the middle, right into our food during meals. Not to mention that it was pretty small, and we all were at the table on top of each other trying to stay dry - most of the time to no avail. So, being fed up with staff not properly storing their equipment, I headed to the hardware store and bought a 30'x20' tarp - yes, you read that right. (Yes, it is huge.)
It worked great - we had our message board, or patrol box, water jugs, juice jugs, table, and camp chairs all underneath, and everyone had room to spare. The down side - that large of a tarp holds a lot of water. When it rained (which happily wasn't much) gallons of water would build up and need to be emptied - in minutes. Alot of other Scouters who saw it thought we had some sort of MMA fight going on underneath, but they were pretty jealous when we were comfy during the rains.
We're thinking a frame to put the tarp on for next year. It gets annoying having to drain it every 5 minutes.
Speaking of the kitchen, ours was probably the best in camp, other than the one at the dining hall... actually, ours was the only one at camp. I was at the Scoutmaster's meeting, and the question was asked 'Who needs a sheephearder?' and I enthusiastically raised my hand... which I then realized was the only one in the air. I looked around, and said 'Really?' in disbelief. How can a troop go camping and not cook in their own site? Then I heard another Scoutmaster whisper 'What's a sheephearder?'
I damn near cried.
Shaking my head in dismay, I was asked how many I needed; really, I needed one, but I said give me 2, 3 - whatever you want - I'll take whatever is on the truck. By the time I returned to my site, I had three, because (and I quote) "We had three, and we knew you needed only two, but we didn't feel like driving the other one down to the yard, and we figured you'd use it anyway."
AND USE IT WE DID! As our usual M.O. we started inviting staff to our site for meals, two of which were the Nature Director and the Handicraft Director (both ladies) who were a vegan and a vegetarian. So, our one sheephearder was for veggies only, the second became our baking surface (we got really good using aluminum trays to create a oven on the top without burning anything) and the third was for pretty much everything else. We also discovered that the waterfront staff was cooking on their own sheephearder during lunch, so we invited them as well. For lunch all week, we had at least 4 staff member eating with us and horsing around on the monkey bridge.
That 30'x20' tarp doesn't look so crazy now, does it?
How did this all pay off? Well, the waterfront staff was so appreciative, on their night out they went and got fresh ingredients for stuffed peppers, chicken Parmesan, and garlic bread, and cooked dinner for us on Thursday night! (Thursday is the kitchen staff's night off, so everyone has to cook in site.)
Our guys made chili, and we all shared the bounty together. The staff then had to go and do open boating, but then came back and roasted marshmallows with us over the open fire.
The staff loved it because most of them had either done it when they were in their Scout troop, or had never done it (i.e. the ladies) and our Scout liked hanging out with the staff when they weren't on duty (I told them when they are eating with us they are friends, not staff). We also got paid a great compliment that our Scouts were well behaved and weren't bugging the staff about merit badges or anything - I think the term used was they were "chill".
I actually should have said this before, but our Scouts earned the cooking merit badge this year, which will be required for Eagle next year. So, they left after breakfast and then returned for dinner - they had to cook lunch for the merit badge with their counselor. That meant that Mr. Foray and I were all alone all day (and thus bored) which is what started the staff coming over for lunch.
...and speaking of the cooking merit badge, I was very happy and proud when our Scouts pointed out to the counselor that he was using sheephearder wrong, and got him in trouble for it.
Then there was our site guide, Kevin. We've been going to Turrell for so long that we don't need a site guide to show us around, but they do get us certain equipment that we don't carry, but still need that are provided by the camp. The first is a sheephearder - so we can cook. The second is a fire bucket - in case something gets out of hand. The third - a patrol box to store our cooking utensils, pots and pans.
Our site guide failed us. I had to ask another staff member for sheephearders, I had to beg the director for a patrol box, and he gave us a fire bucket with a hole in the bottom.
Kevin worked in Handicraft, near our site, and the location of several of our Scouts' merit badges. On a daily basis, he was reminded that he had failed us, and things got a little crazy when our fun little rivalry became the talk of not only Handicraft, but also the whole camp. (Its weird when another Scout stops you on the trail to tell you the counselor won't let your Scouts out of class.)
Kevin was talking trash, so we had to teach him a bit of a lesson- he coveted his hooded staff sweatshirt, and the more he talked trash, the more we had to have the sweatshirt as a trophy. Our latest Eagle Scout (and reigning Monkey Bridge King) visited us on Tuesday, and we told Kevin that he had to fight "the Greek" in order to redeem himself.
Despite the fact that he said we'd never get his sweatshirt, we got the sweatshirt.
We hung it in a place of honor 30' over our gateway. In the process of getting it down, he left his hat behind, and when he fought the Greek (and lost) he left behind his wallet, two pocket knives and a lighter.
At this point, it wasn't even fun anymore, it was just too easy. However, that didn't mean he wouldn't get everything back. I gave several other staff members his stuff and told them they could do whatever they wanted to make him get it back.
I wonder if the waterfront staff ever got that cake? :)
In spite of all this, Kevin wanted another shot at the title against Nick. Despite Nick's short time with us, we put some time aside for the rematch. It was a long match which ended in a draw. Why? Well...
I'm sad to say that we lost a crucial member of the troop this summer. Its with a heavy heart that I report the death of one of our come-a-longs. Donations can be made to Troop 101 care of the Come-A-Long Memorial Fund. :(
At the end of the week, Kevin got his stuff back, the boys earned merit badges, and we all had a great time.
There are more stories, some involving us all, some involving individual Scouts. I could tell you about a small war that started with a crush on the Handicraft Director, Daisy, between two Scouts who are friends and have been for several years. (It got pretty intense when it sounded like someone was getting shanked - on Monday night!)
If you want to hear more, ask the Scouts, or join and be a part of the stories!
Pictures can be found here.
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