Getting Settled, Getting Started

Sunday was great first day for all of us arriving at Many Point. We drove through rain on the way up, and apparently it rained a fair amount here yesterday morning. So, no dusty roads, but plenty of pot holes full of muddy water! It was a warm, still and humid afternoon. No complaints from anyone when it came time for “swim quals”. Many younger scouts passed the BSA swim test for the first time, and everyone enjoyed jumping into the cool waters of Many Point Lake.

The mosquito population seems to be down this year. No complaints there either. The flys on the other hand, are keeping everyone twitching. We’re all a little more sensitive to the dangers of ticks this year.

The scouts warmed up their cooking skills last night preparing beef stew and fruit cocktail (both from a can) augmented by peanut butter sandwiches. One of our scouts has a severe peanut allergy so we are taking steps to help him avoid exposure. It’s a good learning experience for all.
As a troop we attended a momentous roaring bonfire last night at about 9:30pm around which all of the troops staying in the Voyageur Camp gathered. Several skits were performed by the roughly 20 camp counselors. The evening was topped off by a song reverently sung by them and accompanied by 2 guitars which paid tribute to Lord Baden Powell who founded Boy Scouts 100 years ago this year. We all headed back to camp afterward to get ready for bed, or back to our Harry Potter books. It seems that well nigh half the camp chose J. K. Rowling's latest as their preferred reading material for the week. From the looks of it, most won’t last the week. The scouts are being very sporting about not revealing the details of the book – perhaps aided by the several signs posted about which read “No Harry Potter Spoilers!”.

Monday morning dawned at Many Point warm, humid & still again. It looks like we will all need plenty of water today. Revelie came much too early for those who stayed up late, and none too soon for those who are still adjusting to sleeping in the woods. Either way, much fatigue was apparent at breakfast. Pop Tarts, Marshmallow Mateys, OJ and “yikes, can they be for real?” carmel rolls for breakfast.

With the daily merit badge classes & activities getting fired up for the first time today, there was a fair amount of “where do I go again?” as everyone sorted out what classes they were enrolled in this year. Fortunately, there were lots of people on hand to help point scouts in the right direction. All of the stuff they have to do each day is pretty tightly scheduled, at least at the outset, which helps to snap the scouts out of their dazziness. Before you know it, it’s lunchtime – tuna salad sandwiches and chicken noodle soup.

After lunch, it’s off to the beach for greasy watermellon and nature kayaking. “Greasy” is essentially rugby played in the water with a watermellon - no throwing allowed (as if it’s even remotely possible to throw a 20 pound mellon, greased smooth with Crisco, while 20 guys are trying their darndest to relieve you of it!) Nature kayaking is a tour of the lake conducted while kayaking in a 2-person canoe. From the looks of it, they got just as wet as those playing GW. Just as well. The high today must be close to 90, the dewpoint must be close to 70, and still NO BREEZE!