Mark, Ian, and Shane went camping this past weekend. The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts shared one camp and enjoyed earning fishing merit badges and belt loops on opening day for trout season. This was the first time the Downen boys were able to go fishing on opening day since Mark is working (he worked on this opening day too).
One of the requirements for the fishing merit badge is catching, cleaning, and cooking a fish. And Ian did it! Note that EATING said fish is not required for the merit badge. But Ian ate his fish too (he caught two).
Shane (in the green and black jacket) practiced catch and release and caught three trout. He also decided that fishing is way more fun than video games. This was Shane's LAST camp out as a Cub Scout. In just a few days, he will be receiving his Arrow of Light award and crossing over into Boy Scouts!
Ian also completed the last requirements he needed for First Class Scout. He lashed a tripod ("It was such a nice tripod. The Scoutmaster could hang from it." -Ian), completed Safety Afloat (boat safety), and meal planning.
It rained most of the weekend. Ian's tent mate pitched their tent in a low spot. The second night, when it really poured, their tent flooded! Both boys ended up abandoning their tent and sleeping in the covered eating area...
...on cement! Ian's spot wasn't wet, but he was a good friend and stayed with his buddy. You only need to learn once that pitching a tent in a low area is a bad idea.
And, of course, Mark can't go on a camp out without organizing a polar bear swim. One brave parent and our two boys were the only ones to join him. I hear it was pretty cold! All three of them came home in high spirits. Scouting has been very good for them.
...and they didn't even know the difference...
