Summer Camp Notes From Mr. Gay

 2010 Camp Raven Knob

First Update:

Parents,

As I did last summer I thought I would update you from time to time about our week here at Raven Knob.  Let me first begin by thanking everyone for getting to Apex Crossing on time.  We were able to leave without a hitch and on time. 

We arrived at CRK just prior to the opening of check in.  Thanks to their ever improving express check in, everyone went directly to the campsite.  The check in process took just a few minutes and I too was off to the site.  Once we had everyone in tents it was off to swim checks.  The scouts got their first feel of the refreshing lake water at CRK.  After the scouts returned we sat down for a short scout briefing and it was off to the first of many wonderful and delicious meals in the dining hall.  I have even seen a few of the new scouts heading back for seconds!  The grits for breakfast weren't a big hit.  The camp held a welcome campfire at 8:15 that was promptly rained out by 8:45.  Although the rain was heavy at times we managed keep our tarps secure and tents from falling over. Today began the first day of merit badge classes.  Everyone received their schedules after breakfast and buddied up for the trip to their first session.  Only one small thing kept them from leaving right away- cleaning up the campsite.  They all have a pretty full day.  They are busy climbing, mountain biking, learning about nature, shooting rifles, shotguns and archery.  There are scouts who are taking photography and learning about stars.  Of course the aquatic center is popular with scouts swimming, canoeing, sailing and snorkeling.

The scouts who are participating in mountain man left us right after swim checks to head to the Cripple Creek campsite.  They were seen today making their own tools, growing beards and eating wilds animals.  They will join us briefly on Wednesday night at the campfire and then back to the wilds of Cripple Creek.

The weekly frog hunt was cancelled due to storms.  I'm sure this disappointed the frogs as they are usually safe from being captured by any of the 350 scouts that do the hunting. The night ended with guys playing games, talking and slowly heading to bed.  All in all, a successful day.
Tomorrow promises to be another fun packed and busy day.  Your scouts are doing GREAT!

Talk to you soon Chuck Gay

Midweek Update:

Parents,

We have made it past the half way mark. The new scouts now know what it means to "walk up hill both ways". The boys are busy completing their merit badges and other activities. Despite all there is to do, the trading post remains a popular place. I'm surprised some still have money to spend.

We had a very busy Tuesday evening. Ten of our scouts participated in a "troop shoot" at the shotgun range. Several scouts hiked to the top of the knob - several of them for the first time.

Wednesday was more of the same except for the change in temperature. We have been enjoying mid 80's since Tuesday with no humidity. It has made a remarkable difference. Wednesday also means another camp fire for the whole camp and family night. The scouts enjoyed pizza and cobbler for dinner in our campsite then they went off to the camp fire for the whole camp.

The boys from mountain man also joined us. They were glad to be back even briefly. We have showers at our site. They do not. We have a trading post. They do not. They made good use of each.

The camp fire is the weekly Order of the Arrow calling out ceremony. The scouts are enthralled with the ceremony and costumes of the Indians. We had one scout who was called out this week. Congratulations to Aaron R for being called out. That brings our total to 5 who have been called out this year.

Well that's about it from here. Everyone is doing great. They are sensing the end of the week.

I'll talk to you all soon.

Scoutmaster Chuck Gay