Camp Geiger Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (Bear free edition)

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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 the Geiger camp Director and has been with Geiger since he was a young staffer himself.  Every year he offers a “Geiger tour” where we get a history lesson and a hike talking about the origins of camp Geiger.   I will say he is an excellent tour fuse and he’s done this many times.  The originals campsite from back in the 30’s and 40’s has all but overgrown itself with foliage while a lot of the stone framwork has deteriorated as well.  Twisting and winding our way down this ridge and that ridge we emerged at the original “swimming hole”.  A spring fed pool where scouts used to swim…much more shallow than in the past, it’s a beautiful sight.  

The lunch offering was a Geiger McRib sandwich, tater tots and salad bar.  Songs and announcement of the cleanest campsite.   Troop 451 tied for 1st place with Troop 45 with 106 points.   

Classes resumed after lunch for the scouts as the adults took to projects, naps or assorted other activities.  The adults did organize and get skit practice completed for the Wednesday night campout.  The scouts will have to have their skits approved by Wednesday at lunch.  

Ominous weather was beginning to form right about when we were supposed to leave the campsite for dinner.  Safety guidelines require that scouts stay under cover if a lightning strike occurs within 25 miles.  After the all clear, we headed to dinner consisting of Salisbury steak patties, gravy, green beans and rice crispy treats.  (And peanut butter…always peanut butter).  

The highlight of the evening was the king peewee contest.  Each troop selects their smallest scout to send up to the center of the dining hall.  They are then to step on a scale to see which one weighs the least.  Troop 451 has the reining champion from 2021 and we are now back to back champions with Drew Grantonic emerging victorious.   Rumor has it he went on a cutting program to make weight…a la Rocky.  Drew came in at a whopping 58 pounds (all weights and informations and liabilities signed off by all valid parties, Troop 451 assumes no liability or contingency via the…blah blah blah.).  We win again!!!



As we were to leave the dining hall to open care packages…we received another lightning warning.   Back to the dining hall to wait it out…many songs and dances later (see previous video). A vespers service was conducted by the Geiger chaplain.   All clear to head back to camp where the scouts carefully (lol) opened their packages and good idea sent from home.  Right about them, another alert to seek shelter in the bunker.  The scouts grabbed their belongings and headed downstairs.  Soon the all clear was sounded but a note was sent to adult leaders asking that scouts either sleep in lower bunker or in pavilion covered area as weather would be isolated all evening.   Lined up in a row line a huge sleepover, the scouts got their sleeping bags, pads and pillows to make a night of it.  Aside from having to dodge some wind and rain all evening, it was a rousing success.  Very proud of each and every scout for persevering and learning to adapt and overcome.

Good night all 

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