11 Year Old Day Camp

This was the 10th year that Clark has been the Scoutmaster for the local 11-Year old Scout Day Camp. Some years I am more excited to help than other years. This was a good year. We had it at Grizzly Ridge. In the early 60's there was a small lodge and ski run there. It is long gone now, but the area is the perfect location for this camp.

It always touches my heart to see these young men learning to post the colors and then saluting while reciting the pledge of allegiance. Patriotism is one of the many things I love about the scouting program.

The Great Pancake Race, held after lunch and before the second rotation of classes, is usually the highlight of the day. The boys have to build a small fire, cook one pancake, and present it to their leader for his/her consumption. After the leader pronounces it edible, each boy receives a candy bar as his prize. It is always entertaining to watch the activity. Scouting has a new rule that all fires, unless in an established fire ring, must be 18 inches above ground so it is fun to see the creations the patrols use to meet this requirement.

We offer the same classes each year, but usually have a different teacher so it's always a little different. The teacher for the cooking class this year taught the technique of getting a flat rock, cleaning it well, placing it in the fire pit to get it hot and then putting your burger on it to cook. Impressive. I know I've mentioned before that I love the scouting program. It has been a huge part of our family life -- even before we had sons of our own. Jarod was recently made the scoutmaster in his ward and my heart sings when I see the good he is passing on to his "boys".