R's first summer camp experience was a resounding success. He came home with three merit badges completed (leatherwork, woodcarving, basketry) and one merit badge requiring only one more activity (orienteering).
That's a darned good show for any scout, let alone a first-year who isn't even officially eleven years old yet.
He also completed a number of tasks for his Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks.
AND he had a bunch of fun.
The troop has a program called 'bead bucks'. Boys who do job/chores/tasks earn bead bucks for their extra contribution. Bead bucks can be redeemed at the troop store for supplies, snacks, knives, etc. R worked hard, gathered up 20 bead bucks, and bought a brand new Swiss Army pocket knife of his very own. I wasn't there, but I was told that he was immensely proud. Of course, one of his leatherwork projects was a knife sheath for his new blade!
C spent three nights at camp with R to start the week off in an organized way. Her original plan was to spend two nights, but she enjoyed herself so much that she chose to stay an extra day. That's always a good sign.
I showed up for the last two nights, and helped tie up all the loose ends that C so expertly got started. My job was darned easy, what with all the direction the boys had received in the early part of the week. I just stepped in to a well-running machine that others had built, greased, and gotten rolling.
I started a photo show for R's camp photos, and will include some of M's Brownie camp photos as well.
Follow-up on camp mail: R got a package from me, and some cards from Grandma. I think he got a mail call on four separate occasions. That lifted his spirits!
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