Varsity Scout Camp

Steve and Braxton got to go to Tomahawk Scout Camp in northern Wisconsin.

The food was less than desirable, but the camp was gorgeous and the activities were a blast!

Riding the ATVs was Braxton's favorite event.

The climbing wall

Horseback riding

The whole crew (L-R: Braxton, Brother Collingwood, Steve, Nate, Riley)

 A perfect day to go sailing.

 Steve (my mountain man) looks like he was even enjoying himself--of course, I was home tending to 4 children and running the house. wink! wink!

 My favorite picture of the week!

 The ropes course was the final activity and it kept them busy for a while on the last day.  Definitely harder than they thought.  Interesting that the boys took different approaches to tackling it, but they all did it and learned that they can do HARD things.

SCOUT CAMP!

Steve is our ward's scoutmaster and had the privilege of going to Camp Napowan for his 5th year.  Because he has gone multiple times, he knows the camp--its schedule and layout, and has figured out how to help the boys be as successful and efficient as they can.  Four of the 7 boys earned 11 merit badges during the week!  Unbelievable!

 To avoid doing swim checks on Sunday, they drive up EARLY Saturday morning, get set up, do swim checks, and play.  For the last 2 years, this handsome man pictured above has coordinated us hanging out with a group from Arlington Heights for some added fun.  He is also Steve's partner in crime.  Luckily they get along because he and Steve got to be the leaders of this scout camp as well as varsity scout camp that was held a mere week after this one at Camp Tomahawk four hours further north in Wisconsin.  

Water balloon launchers - they can leave a welt!

Evan is working with the "Mayor" in leather working.

The boys work, work, work at night around the campfire, weaving baskets, writing reports, etc.  This is the secret to earning so many badges.  Utilize every minute!

Early morning observations for Environmental Science

Flag Raising ceremonies

Rifle Shooting

Digging for minnows (not a merit badge, but added to the fun)

Public Speaking

More working around the campfire at night

Canoeing

First Aid

Waiting to jump in and turn clothes into life preservers...

Steve's Policy: When you finish a merit badge, you have to raise your hands in the air and declare to the camp "I just finished  my _____ merit badge!"

One of the greatest things about scout camp is that these boys learn they can do things they never thought they could.  I believe scouting is one way young men these days learn how to do hard things.

Troop 68

Steve was so proud of these young men!  As we were going through the hundreds of pictures he took and he was talking about each shot, he would get emotional and then I would get emotional.  What a unique moment to see the love my sweet husband has for these good boys.   The week, of course, didn't go without challenges.  Three boys got sick and one (my son) threw up all over the tent.  To everyone's credit, the boy who got his sleeping bag creamed didn't yell or get mad.  Everyone was kind, polite, supportive, and worked hard.  Steve's planning on doing it all over again next year!

Youth Conference

Who's Your Hero?

 Steve and I got to be a "ma" and "pa" for a group of young men and women from our stake.  Now, I love being a mom and mothering, so to be given 12 terrific and fun teenagers and be told that I get to mother them for 48 hours, was a blast!  I had phenomenal kids, too.  We had older ones who were leaders and engaged the younger ones.  We had funny, calm, sweet, smart, humble, and strong kids.  They were a terrific mix.  Our first day, we got to be taught by "King Benjamin" who introduced the theme of "Who's Your Hero?".  We got to have devotionals, listen to speakers, sing, dance, act, learn about Indexing, mark a set of scriptures (Braxton has already given his away to a girl learning about the gospel now), and have a testimony meeting.

 Team building exercises were actually quite fun.  Here's a spider web where the kids had to help talk each one through the labyrinth.  We actually got 4 kids through!  Only group there!

 Some of our girls were hula-hooping maniacs!

 This was no challenge, just our kids wanting to do something together.  Do you see Steve 2nd one from the right on the bottom?  Oh, yeah!  The Birdites ruled!

I miss these kids.  We got to have the 5 boys sleep at our house.  Grandma Bird took our own kids, so that they wouldn't be a distraction.  We were up for hours eating ice cream, solving riddles, telling stories and jokes, and having a great time.  I wish we could have had the girls, too.  I needed another day with them to feel like I was ready for the Youth Conference to be over.  

I have seen a few of my "kids" since then and love it when they yell, "Mom" from the other side of the store.  I know it's ridiculous, but I really fell in love with these kids faster than I thought possible.  One of the most awkward moments, but funny moments was when the DJ at the dance had the kids find their "parents" and dance around them to Bruno Mars' song, "Amazing".  I think my heart grew 2 sizes during that song. :)