Troop 485 Summer Camp

2007-07-07T17:53:00.000-07:00

Super Saturday!

First let me answer the posted messages.

Yes Patricia Luke got his care package on Thursday and was very surprised.

This is personal so the rest of you close your eyes. Yes honey I am very glad you guys made it back home. I love and miss you and all the kids. Nicholas and I loved our care packages. All of the other leaders were very jealous when I got mine! I was nice and shared with Ray, Joe and Joe.

Now back to the blog. Saturday started off overcast and drizzly but we new we were getting wet anyway so we did not let that damper our spirits. Saturday breakfast was one biscuit, mine was still frozen in the middle, with gravy, juice and cold cereal. Yum Yum! We left for the canoe trip at 9:30 and had a blast on the river. We found a rope swing and spent a good portion of the day swinging and swimming in the river. We then lazily paddled down river for 3 miles stopping several times to retrieve lost paddles and unswamping canoe's. The boys had a ball and thought that was the highlight of the week. I don't have digital pictures because we did not have a water proof camera but we should have some instamatic pictures that we will get developed and shared. We then came back to camp took showers and got dressed. We then drove into town and had dinner at Ryan's. We ate until we were so full that we couldn't even look at another piece of food. Needless to say the longest period was waiting for the boys to get our of the bathroom. Eating camp food all week and not have any porcelain toilets the boys took advantage of the facilities at Ryan's and lets just say they really appreciated nice clean restrooms with flushing toilets.

The rest of the night we are going to pack, load the trucks and get some sleep. We should wake up early and pull out by 8 AM, which should put us back in Jax by 3 PM. We will have the boys start calling their parents once we are about an hour away.

I hope everyone enjoyed reading this blog this year and I hope to keep it up every year I go to summer camp with the boys. I like knowing that you as parents are kept informed and can enjoy in the day to day events here at camp.

We had some rule breaking with some electronic issues that Mr.Butler will address once we get back to Jacksonville but all in all the boys behaved very well.

This is the last entry for this year so tune in next year when I will be writing from;

CAMP RAINY MOUNTAIN!

PS... I will burn copies of all of the pictures we took this year on disc and make copies for the parents. Bob will also try and put a select few on the main Troop 485 website.

From the Troop 485 leaders at Camp Thunder this year it was our pleasure opening the door to your sons to activities and events that scouting has to offer that they will take with them the rest of their lives. Many of the younger boys have grown up so much in a year its hard to recognize how responsible and outgoing they have become as well as watching the older boys growing into young men.

Yours in scouting;

Gregg

Finally Friday!

2007-07-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

Well its Friday and everyone has finished or finishing all of heir requirments for heir merit badges today. They will have a lot of free time today to go swimming, hiking, exploring etc... We had chili dogs today for lunch and the organ music has started. All of the boys have really had a great time and the leaders did not have to really watch after them much all week. They all took showers semi regularly, the ones that were not as regular had swimming so they at least got wet. Tonight is the last campfire and the boys are looking forward to our canoe trip tomorrow. I can tell already that there may even be some tears saying good by to some of the staff and friends they made this week. We are still on track for a Sunday afternoon arrival back at Resurrection. We will start making phone calls once we are within an hour of arrival.

Attached are a few pictures of the boys. Note the exmple of the wonderfule housekeeping the boys are doing without much prompting from us.

Anyway bye for now, if you have any comments or messages just post them and I will pass them on.

Gregg, Ray, Joe and Joe.

Hot Thursday

2007-07-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

Well its Thursday afternoon and we just finished lunch, I think. I don't really know how you can ruin a chicken sandwich but they did. Last night we had a big camp fire for all of the troops in camp with skits and songs. Everyone had a great time. Most of the boys are finishing their merit badge courses today and will have a 1/2 day and more free time to go fishing, swimming etc...tomorrow. We had to take Mr.Ray's totem chit away because he cut his finger with his pocket knife. Don't worry it wasn't serious and Nicholas was johnny on the spot with a bandaide from his first aide kit. All of the boys whose parents sent care packages recieved them and eagerly devoured all of the goodies. I have relayed all of your messages to the boys that have been posted so far. The week will come to end shortly and we are looking forward to our canoe trip on Saturday.

Well that's all for now, check back soon for new updates.

Gregg, Joe, Joe and Ray.

Happy 4th of July

2007-07-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July to everyone from us at Camp Thunder!

Let me get the replys out of the way first.

To the Lauderdale family, I have passed on all of the well wishes and will be looking for his care package. I am not sure what epicurean treats are but I will make sure I taste them first before I pass them on. Just to make sure they are safe. We will be looking for David sometime this afternoon.

To Jossie and family I have passed on your well wishes and thank you for sending Jordan with a bottle of hot sauce. I have been using it to try and add some taste to the food.

To the Coyle family, Kevin has been changing his shirt but he has swim classes in both the morning and afternoon so he is wearing his suite most of the day. Joe says high and he will call Wednesday night depending upon service and definitely once we leave on Sunday. Tell Claire daddy will come home and hold your finger when you go to sleep.

To my wife and family, its great to hear you guys are having a great time visiting LuAnn and family in VA. Yes Nick and I would have loved the battle field. Tell Lily, Ryan and Matthew and of course you my lovely wife, I love you all very much and miss you.

Now that the requirements are out of the way. Today has been hot and sunny! Breakfast was french toast, fruit and sausage. Lunch was Pizza which actually was not bad. Everyday we have had soup and salad to help wash it down. I am not sure what dinner will be yet but beggars cant be choosers. This afternoon will be a break and we will have a troop swim and additional activities. It mid week and we are more then half way through with camp. I am sure the boys will be all sad when its time to go home.

Attached is the picture after breakfast with everyone wearing their Old Navy shirts provided by Laural and Cheryl. Thank you very much.

As always I will write soon and pass on your well wishes to your boys.

That's all for now from;

G,J,J,R

Camp Wet!

2007-07-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

I know this is Camp Thunder but today it was Camp Wet! It rained from Early morning until classes ended around 4 PM. It wasn't bad just a good solid drizzle most of the day and it really kept things cool. It didn't slow the boys down any and it gave them some extra curricular activities liking playing in the muddy creeks. We weren't aware that arts and craftincluded the meals. Breakfast was a camp thunder build your own egg mcmuffin, watery grits, mutated tator tots with cereal, fruit and milk. Lunch also was build your hamburger with limpy fries and something that was supposed to be baked beans, (they had the looks but not the taste.) We can't wait to see what we will be building for dinner. They put Joe Butler to work on the archery range and Joe C and I helped out with the camping merit badge because a couple of the counselors came down with food poisoning. Hint, hint see previous note about the meals. Ray held down the fort at camp by making sure his camp chair didn't blow away. The boys had a good second day with their merit badge work and keeping busy especially they second years boys who have fallen right in the routine of camp life and are enjoying themselves more this year. Here are a couple of pictures to enjoy and I will burn copies of all the pictures for parents that want a copy once I get back.

Tomorrow is a 1/2 day and we plan on having watermelon contests and additional camp activities.

So long for now and I will update tomorrow.

Gregg, Ray, Joe and Joe.

Monday Night

2007-07-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

Well it's Monday night and we have finished our first official day at camp. We have finished dinner and most have taken their showers. Dinner consisted of meat something on rice with with peas and squash, dinner roll, soup and salad. Dessert was this apple something which I couldn't recognize so I gave it away. It rained again which is fine with me because it cools things done a lot.

All of the kids made it to their classes and had a great day. The leaders are tired because we criss cross the camp getting pictures and making sure the boys are where they are supposed to be. I think I walked 5 miles today and that was not counting to and from meals. I have attached a few pictures out of the many that I have taken. I don't have a good group shot with everyone yet because its like hearding cats trying to get them to stand still.

Tonight should be very restful because everyone is tired and breakfast comes at o'dawn too early! The camp atmosphere is great and all of the boys from both troops seem to be really bonding. This week should really fly by and soon everyone will be sad when its time to leave.

I will try and write tomorrow if I can. Remember if you have any questions just post a message on the blog site and I will answer as soon as I can. Also there is no phone service up here. I have cingular and I climbed the highest hill in camp and stood on top of a platform and was still unable to get a signal.

See ya soon,

Gregg

Hello from Camp Thunder

2007-07-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

Well as you can read I was able to get dial up access. So hello to all from troop485 at camp thunder! We arrived safe and sound yesterday afternoon at 2. We checked in and got settled into our camp site with troop 62. All of the kids are sleeping in Adirondacks which is good because it rained very heavy last night after dinner. Speaking of dinner we had spaghetti and salad which was really pretty good but there was no seconds. We have a nice camp site with a large pavilion, picnic tables and facilities. The showers we nice and cold last night which is good because the temperature is in the high 90's.

We awoke this morning to a cloudy overcast sky which will keep the temperature down. After a hardy breakfast all of the kids settled in to their merit badge classes. Everyone is doing great meeting new friends and renewing old friendships.

Joe, Joe, Ray and myself all say high and enjoy watching the boys having so much fun. We are taking lots of pictures but I do not have a chance to upload any yet but will try tonight.

Well gotta go for now. I am not sure what we are having for lunch and dinner but I am sure there will be plenty of it.

Don't worry everyone is having fun and being safe. I will try and post something after dinner but I can't promise. There is only one line and we have to share it.

Gregg

Almost here!

2007-06-30T06:15:00.000-07:00

Well its Saturday and everyone should be done getting their last minute things for summer camp. The camping checklist inside of the parents guide is a good tool to use when packing for things sometimes forgotten like bug repellent, instant camera for taking pictures, water bottles for drinking, etc... Don't forgot an extra $15 for the canoe trip on Saturday and any other money you might need for merit badges or the camp store for gifts. You can check the parents guide in the merit badge section to see if it has an extra charge.

This year at Camp Thunder the ride should be shorter but its going to be hotter then last year because we will not be up in the mountains. We will be leaving the skipper center right at 8 AM so don't be late! Eat breakfast before you come and lunch will be on the road before we arrive. Check in is at 1:30 so we will have plenty of time. IF you are going to send a care package now is the time to get it in the mail. 3 to 5 day delivery should put it there in the middle of the week and with a the July 4th holiday it may take longer.

The next time I will right hopefully will be at Camp Thunder sometime Sunday night after dinner depending upon availability. If you have questions just post a message and I will try and respond by the next day. The emergency numbers are posted in the parents guide or you can find them on the web site which I have created a link for on this blogspot just to the left under our troop flag. Remember they are emergency numbers only and not to be used just to check up on your son. Like last year I doubt there will be phone service and the troop does not encourage your scout to make phone calls. This only causes issues with other scouts not being able to talk to their parents and pretty soon we have a troop full of home sick boys. The boys need to rely on themselves and the troop without mom and dad hovering around if only for a week.

Well time to go. Have a great 4th of July, we sure will.

Gregg

Wednesday

2007-06-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

Well its Wednesday and the excitement is building for this years summer camp at Camp Thunder in Georgia. We have a very large group going this year with 19 boys and 4 leaders. For most of the boys this is their 2nd, 3rd and even 4th summer camp so everyone is experienced and looking forward to a fun filled week of scouting activities.

We will be leaving this Sunday from the skipper center at Resurrection at 8 AM sharp! Please eat breakfast before you come and lunch will be provided before we arrive at Camp Thunder. Please check the suggested packing list in the handout because you will need cloths for seven days. Also don't forget your extra money for your merit badges, spending money at the camp store and $15 for the canoe trip.

I will try and post messages and pictures to this blog site everyday but it depends on the connection availability. Last year I only had dial-up and I was only allowed to use it for a very short time.

Parents please don't worry about your boys they will have a wonderful time experiencing new activities and adventures, meeting new friends and discovering a new found independence they normally don't get to take advantage at home.

Please check back every day for new updates and please post any messages and I will try and reply promptly.

Your friend in scouting;

Gregg

PS. If you are going to send a care package I would suggest getting it ready now and drop it in the mail no later then Sunday so it arrives before the week is out.