Presbytery
of Coastal
Second Week with Campers
Well just as with last week
everything that could go right did and everything that could go wrong just
didn’t show up. We had a few rainy nights but they quickly passed and no one
seemed to mind staying in-doors a few evenings. Actually the campers were rewarded
with some extra swim time on Tuesday night to make up for Sunday and Monday
nights in Hafer Hall. Needless to say they loved it.
Robert and Jon spent Monday
and part of Tuesday putting up a new element on the high ropes course. Element
is a fancy way to say that they now have a new challenge for those willing to
climb the rope ladder and control their own destiny. Haven’t seen it yet so
don’t have any pictures to share.
This was one
of the Horse Camp weeks so those that signed up were able to feed the big four
legged animals, brush them, learn how to saddle and bridle the critters and
eventually independently (no one leading them on foot) ride them on a trail
around the camp. Jon thinks I should do that but I have yet to meet a horse
that really wants carry all this weight on his/her back. Mildred’s cooking here
at camp hasn’t really helped the weight problem.
Speaking of
cooking, I went to the Outpost Camp for supper last night. For those of you who
have never visited this interesting place in God’s country, you need to make
this one of your destinations when you visit Camp. The port-a-john will be on
your right when you finally make the half mile trip – suggest you ride but
don’t take a vehicle that has a paint job you want to keep. There are three
buildings on site with a fire circle off to one side. It appears that Jon has
to bush-hog the site on a regular schedule to keep the forest from taking over.
Venicecia or just plain “V” – a counselor who is
anything but plain – did the honors of cooking “hobo pies” in the screened-in
building’s fireplace (a number of screens are missing in this and all of the
buildings at this very rustic location – Kirkwood’s Rustic Village can’t hold a
candle to this place). Replacing screens and fixing this place up actually
sounds like a good church mission project. I’ll explain the meal for the
benefit of those who have never had the pleasure of eating a “hobo pie.” Each
camper started with a piece of aluminum foil upon which I 
placed a
piece of chicken or a quantity of hamburger. This was then followed with some
cut-up potatoes and onions. Campers then had the option of adding a variety of
seasonings – chili pepper, mustard, ketchup and soy sauce which leaked out of
its container during the transit. When everybody was satisfied with their
creation or just too hungry to care, the foil was sealed and thrown into the
hot coals. V’s job was to determine when the cooking part of the project was
done. She did this to perfection and a good meal was had by all. I had the option
of staying the night with the group out in the middle of nowhere but decided I
liked the comforts of my cabin more than I liked the bugs – yellow flies are
back. I’m still trying to figure out what God had in mind when he created these
pesky critters.
This week
included a group who signed up to work at several non-profits in Laurinburg.
The Program Directors came up with the Mission Camp idea and Julian Butler,
Chair of the Presbytery’s Outdoor Ministries Committee, very willingly found
organizations in Laurinburg who were interested in participating. The people
who participated this year (both campers and organization leaders) were happy
that we moved forward with this idea and are looking forward to this offering
again next year. The days the campers were not in the field they worked with
Tom Dendy, Trinity’s pastor, and Jon to build some
much needed picnic tables for the camp.
Well this has been a long
winded message but there was so much going on this week that it was hard to
find a good place to stop. Next week is Rookie Camp – twelve girls and one boy.
Considering the age group next week, this boy will probably be asking what he
did to deserve this arrangement. Robert will be here doing some Counselor
training and I will be in the office getting caught up on paperwork so there
probably will not be a Blog. In addition to training,
the Counselors will spend a lot of time cleaning up the camp in preparation for
the last half of the camping season. Hope they are able to get to McKnight
Lodge!!
We still have some vacancies in the 5th
and 6th session so sign-up and have an experience you’ll remember
the rest of your life!!
Well I’ve had a great time
this week but am looking forward to spending time with Mary (wife) in Glendale
Springs on the 4th. Mary and I don’t see much of each other during
my “retirements” - guess that is how we’ve managed to stay married for 35
years.
Have a great Fourth and see
you again in a couple of weeks!!
Bob
Here is this week’s group
picture:
