BSA Troop 451, Lewisville, TX

 The graceful quiet after a storm is always refreshing.  Last night Troop 451 endured an almost 9 hour battering of isolated thunderstorms and showers throughout the evening.  Lightning alerts started near dinner and the scouts weren’t to leave cover until early this morning.  Though if you have been to Geiger before, you know the pavilion is a wonderful sanctuary to escape the heat and rain but if the rain is sideways…you tend to get wet.  If you have read my blog before, you have heard me say it again and again.  Adapt and overcome.  Rain puddle in the corner, I can fit 2 on the opposite side and 1 here.   Just a giant puzzle in the middle of the night, wet, with kids as puzzle pieces.  You know, just a normal Tuesday night. Huge thanks to the Grantonic’s, Mrs Brinkerhoff, Mr a Hawkins and the rest of the adult leaders (apologies if I didn’t list your name, I retreated to my tent to get wet in a different spot) It’s a Wednesday tradition th...

False alarm… False alarm… There was no bear attack…I was promised to save that story for Philmont blog.  Besides, bears can’t type that well with…well…claws. The troop started to rise at daybreak with a level of humidity typically only felt in the Amazon.  A slight exaggeration but it was slightly sticky and damp start to the day.  The scouts were already up and about in their class B uniforms aside from the 4 scouts chosen to be part of the color gaurd for flag duty.  We were to raise our Texas flag as it is our privilege to do after winning cleanest campsite.   Breakfast served this morning was sausage, egg and cheese served on biscuits.  Another couple rounds of songs and games led us to the 2 minute drill.  A rapid fire process where the table is cleaned and all utinsels are cleared.  The scouts are starting to get into a rythm with the Geiger schedule.  They head off to class while the adults wait for our next a activity. David Fox is th...

  Unfortunately there will not be a blog entry for today, our blog master had a bear related incident at Herzog Lodge.  Apparantly he had been over confident in his Philmont training and word got back to the Geiger bear who did not appreciate Mr Pratt nor his blog. Your new blogger, next topic:  Is honey on bread heels sacrilegious?   Mr Grantonic thinks so.

The first day school…Mondays at camp Geiger always carried that first day of school vibe.  Meeting the merit badge counselor, new friends, mapping class locations…and slushies (they have slushies in school right?)   Today is not the first calendar day of camp Geiger but it is when merit badge programming begins.   First call is at 6:4am with revile is played at 7:00am.  A much needed nights rest for the troop, scouts and leaders alike.  Taking a look across the faces of the troop last night, you could just tell it was an experience we had all gone through.  It was hot for most of the day but Monday offered a token of redemption.  Partly cloudy with the temperature hitting at a picturesque 70 degrees with a perfect breeze.   I sauntered up to the pavilion, coffee cup in hand to enjoy a fine cup of hot water poured over burnt beans.  Our coffee bar started as a quick joke that has not morphed into a full blown franchise.  I assume Starbuck...

You would have thought that it was a rock band whose tour bus was pulling into the first Methodist church parking lot on a steamy Saturday night.  Oh no, it was the 2022 camp Geiger bus there to haul 40+ scouts and adult leaders the 600 mile trip to St. Joseph, MO.  The troop has competed this journey 21 years in succession.  A little organized chaos always shows it’s face when trying to corral the excitement of summer camp in addition to the bus ride up.  The bus all loaded, hugs abound, pictures and maybe a tear or two (high fives for some).    This year the movie selection took a small change as it sometimes will and the troop watched Up.  Some tried to sleep, some played with their electronics as much as they could as they are rounded up when we arrive at camp.  The excitement in the air has always been one of the most enjoyable parts of summer camp.  Whether you are a first year scout or a seasoned veteran, Geiger is a special place that...

   On our way back from Mic-o-say Pow-wow 2021. One of the perennial events of the tribe, usually on one of the first weekends of August.  New braves that have been tapped In summer, boys that have been in for years or adults (newly tapped or seasoned tribesman).  All are welcome to enjoy a weekend full of Mic-o-say activities, education, dance and costume contests and an overall great time. Pow-wow is the first special event that the new braves will get to experience.  It’s a n introduction into Mic-o-say where they learn some dances, costuming, and the beginnings of being a tribesman.  Conclave is usually held in early January and the main difference is that it’s held at an offsite facility.  The braves have had a number of months to get acclimated to things, begin costume work along with the chants/dances.   Feast is the last event of the year where the tribe prepares for the final weeks before summer camp. This year we had a number of new brav...

 Sun is up....time to eat....merit badge class...eat again...more merit badge classes.....dinner time.....was hot all day....camp almost over.   The end Sorry ladies a land gentleman...all I have for you today. Nah...I can’t do that to you, but like many the end of camp offers a chance to really reflect on how much fun this trip yes, but exhausting at the same time.  We are currently driving the 2 trucks with trailers and a bus full of scouts back to Texas.  This morning as the camp woke the realization that camp is almost over sets in.  The scouts and adults started packing up their footlockers, cots, backpacks, etc.  All of the scouts and adults worked diligently to get everything packed into the trailers and to get ready for the bus.  It is a bit chaotic but we always seem to get it done.  Once packed up the Mic-o-say tribe members met one last time before we left camp.  The scouts all met back at the flag area near the dining hall for clo...

 Thursday at Geiger....it’s like Christmas, your birthday, and the last day of school all wrapped up into one.  For those who have been here before, you get it.  If this is your first time, you have no idea of what to expect and that’s part of the magic.  My first year I was a wide-eyed first year Boy Scout dad that had no idea what was coming.  I just kept hearing, just wait until Thursday, just wait.   Ok...wait for what?   It’s not really something that’s easily describable, it’s actually hard to put it into words.  You have to see it with your own eyes and only then can someone truly appreciate it.   Breakfast this morning was served immediately after the flag ceremony where Max Brooks. Landon Pratt, Kaleb Rutherford and Winston Smith represented Troop 451 by raising the Texas flag.  Scrambled eggs and sausage patties with orange juice were the staples of today’s offerings.  Yogurt and cereal were also offered as an alternative ...

And we escaped the rain once again last night.  Forecast showed rain and storms starting around 2am and going throughout the morning.  Aside from a scattered shower or 2 during the night, the campsite was fairly dry as the troop started to wake up. Around 5:30 or so you will begin to hear rumblings around camp...yawns, a slow shuffle down to the pavilion, or coffee being made.  Grabbing daily temperature checks before we head to the dining hall to stay compliant with the camp Geiger Covid protocols.  The assembly at the flags is at 7:20 am and Troop 451 was there early and ready to eat.  Today’s breakfast was a hearty helping of pancakes, bacon and juice.   As the troop inhaled their pancakes one of our scouts had a head of wet hair, which is odd considering the lack of rain.  One of our scouts, Jonathan Stephens had just returned from the swimming pool where he had completed the camp Geiger 1 mile swim.  Accompanied by Luke Goss each morning for ...