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

By -

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 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Look Your Best, Do Your Best, Be Your Best

By -
Image
I listen to Dr. Charles Stanley on the way to work most days. I have heard in his sermons this phrase – look your best, do your best, be your best. His messages relate this phrase to the Christian life. I was thinking how that same message is what we are striving toward in out scouting troop. Look Your Best – We expect each scout to be in full scout uniform, to wear their uniform proudly and to take proper care of how they present themselves. The uniform has many aspects. The word uniform is defined as distinctive clothing worn by members of a particular group; not varying; having the same form or manner. We are all part of one team. The symbolism in various parts of the uniform shows the desires of scouting – learning about truth, acquiring knowledge, being lead in the right path to name just a few. Check out the first few pages of the scout manual to see the importance of the uniform. Do Your Best – This is one of the foundations of scouting. Each time a scout or scouter says the S
Read more

Camp Geiger Friday, July 2, 2021

By -
Image
 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 closing ceremonies.   Troop 451 was very well r
Read more

Camp Geiger July 9th 6:00pm

By -
Image
Tonight, after a long and excting week, this year's journey comes to an end. We go to the dining hall tonight for dinner, then the scouts who are not involved in Mic-O-Say will attend the closing council fire. The foxmen, who have been silent all day will complete their journey to become Mic-O-Say braves, and the adult foxmen will become Honorary Warriors. The weather for tonight's ceremonies should be spectacular, cool and clear, with temps in the low 70's to upper 60's. Tomorrow morning, we wake up, load the truck, and head for home. We'll be taking home souviners from the trading posts, new achievements and merit badges, and lots of good memories. I'd like to say thanks to the folks at Camp Geiger HQ for all their paitence, hospitality, courtesy and freindship, especially at times in some challenging circumstances. That's all folks, don't forget to tip your waiters on the way out. Tonight's dinner - pulled pork, and mac and cheese. Weather - M
Read more