My boys are back!
 |
| Shane's Tent, First Day |
It goes without saying they had a wonderful time. Mark took all the boys who are working on the hiking merit badge on a really tough hike.
It was almost 11 miles roundtrip and gained 4000 feet of elevation. For those who don't speak hiking language, it was really steep.
The boys took a break to swim in a snow melt lake. I think the boys have realized that any hike with Mark is going to end in some body of water, no matter what the temperature!
 |
| The clear patch in the middle is Camp Fife |
 |
| Summit of Mount Baldy 7000 ft elevation |
But there was more to camp than just this one hike. Shane earned two merit badges: geology and archery. He also swam and worked on Trail to First Class requirements.
The camp food left them hungry all the time...
...so Mark resorted to foraging for crickets...
 |
| (just kidding-they were another scout's edible crickets-but Mark really ate it!) |
Ian earned FOUR merit badges. That is a LOT. He earned First Aid and Swimming, both of which are Eagle required, and Pioneering and Archery. He also worked on Hiking and Cooking!
 |
| Ian and Gary, the Weather Rock |
Gary was built by Ian and adopted by the troop as their "pet." Gary now has a permanent home here at Twin Firs and I will never have to use National Weather Service again. I'm mad at NWS for telling me it is going to be hot for the next week, so Gary is a welcome addition to our home. Plus stuff made from rocks, sticks, and lashing is cool.
 |
| Shane's Tent, Last Day |
Our troop received The Director's Award for Best Overall Troop in Spirit and Service!
I can't really say much more on the camping subject because I wasn't there, but Mark and the boys had such a wonderful time and got to know their fellow scouts even better than they knew them before. Shane made friends with a boy that was in his Cub Scout den last year. Ian "buried the hatchet" with his long-standing rival and bonded over talk of Zelda video games. Mark was dad and leader to any boy who needed one (and plenty did). I'm just happy they are home again.
