Friday night boys put up tents just before it got dark. Then, with the camp being nestled in Fred Canyon surrounded by hills over 4500 feet above sea level, there was no sign of city lights and a zillion stars filled the sky. We sat and visited with the sound of night peepers filling the air. When the moon came up, it was almost bright enough to read by. Before long, it was time for lights-out and boys made their way to sleeping bags, all of them tired enough that they barely even noticed the grunts and groans of a pack of bears, several buzz saws, and even a motor boat, all starting just after the last commander hit the sack.
Saturday started at sunrise. Most boys were up and about just after 6am although at least one needed a splash of water to get started. Breakfast was coffee and some other stuff everyone else had. Yellow Jackets joined us for every meal. After breakfast, the day went on, non-stop! Boys ate great food, played relay games, built fires, did a nature scavenger hunt, got wet, hung out with new friends, climbed some pretty nice rocks, went on hikes, learned to tie knots, and enjoyed every minute.
As it got dark, we made our way to the Saturday night assembly where Commander Ron told us about Jed Smith, God's mountain man, and read us Psalms 23. After, we went back to our camp and sat around the campfire, thanks Commander Larry. Commander Mario and the Outpost 106 commanders all took turns speaking about why they were in Rangers. A couple of dads told some great stories. Then we had S'mores. Mmmmmm! And Jiffy Pop! The next morning was Sunday and we had church. All the other Outposts met at our campsite and sat in the shade to listen to Commander Ron as he reminded us about Jeb Smith and how his legacy lives on. He challenged the boys to leave a legacy of people they talked to about Christ. Wow!
Boys who brought in their scavenger hunt bags all got handfuls of candy, like early Halloween! All wrappers went into the trash and Commander Larry made sure we left no trace, nothing but footprints, as they say. Once all the tents were down and Commander Mike was finishing-up getting the trailer loaded, Commander Monique showed kids how to make sunprints. Then she was the first to dunk for apples--as she put it, I ain't putting my face in there after a bunch of boys.
Soon we loaded boys on the bus, gave God thanks, and then we were on our way back home, all of us better for the experience, full of stories to tell. Other than a spontaneous bloody nose for one boy and a bit of rash from stinging nettles on a leg of another, we had no medical problems. We thank BVCC and our moms and our wives for letting us go. Next event, Adventure Rangers Wilderness Survival campout, November 14-16 on Commander John's property in Barrett Junction--more info to follow.
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