For those that are visually oriented, a few pcitures.

The fire could be seen for miles...

We've been busy busy busy, so this blog entry may be short. I will concentrate on words and try to get pictures up later.

When we left off, it was Tuesday night and all was well. Wednesday morning came bright and early. Some of you may remember that because of the poor condition of the "road" leading down to our campsite, the food truck drops our food off up at the Voyageur Lodge. Several of us try to drive up and meet the food truck before every meal, to help Wayne (our truck driver for several years now) unload the full bins and load up the empties. Because we help him with the truck, he often will reward us with a tray of rolls, made by Granny up at the Buckskin dining hall. Monday, we let some boys from another troop that helped take the rolls that were available. Tuesday there weren't any rolls because the power was out, but Wednesday morning, we got a great big tray of rolls, that were meticulously divided amongst all the scouts in the troop. It was a great treat.

We had eggs and hash browns for breakfast, but since we have bread in the staples and left over syrup from Tuesday, many of us made French Toast again. After Morning Assembly, the kids were off to merit badge classes for three hours and back for lunch at 11:40. Tomato Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Wednesday is a complicated day, and we made it even more complicated. The scouts have their usual three hours of troop activities; Survivor Man, Climbing Tower, and Water Activities, then they have an hours of troop free time. On Wednesday, (almost) all of the First Class Adventure scouts go on a five mile hike for one of their rank requirements. This year, Mr. Devitt bravely volunteered to go on the hike with them. It took four and a half hours (and six stops) to complete the hike but they made it.

The rest of the scouts head off to their fourth hour class and hour later than usual at 5:00. Then they head to the beach at 6:00 for the annual Beach Bash. The late fourth hour start and Beach Bash are a cleaverly designed activity to allow (almost) all of the adults to attend the adult volunteer appreciation dinner at the Buckskin Dining hall. Mr. Devitt went on the five mile hike (but made us promise to bring him back some Granny Bread), and Mr. Fischer stayed behind to supervise the older scouts preparing for the troop campfire. Mr. Oen, Mr. (Jesse) Jones, and I attended the dinner of pulled pork, cheese potatoes, cole slaw, granny bread, and desert. Clearly they want to adults to come back next year. They introduced the staff, talked about the new things for this year, and the new things for next year (including a new shower house at Voyageur!!!!).

We got back about 7:00 and the scouts at the beach bash were free to head out to free time. The scouts at beach bash had riblet sandwiches, chips, and fruit. One of the things that we did, which made Wednesday more complicated, was to move the troop campfire. We usually have the troop campfire on Thursday night. However, this year, they scheduled all of our Flintlock overnight slots for Thursday night. We have quite a few scouts headed off to Treehouse Overnight and Huck Finn Overnight and they did not want to miss the campfire. So, we moved the campfire to Wednesday night. Unfortunately, this gives the scouts one less day to prepare the fire. Wednesday night is merit badge round up at 9:00, were I meet with all the counselors to findout how the scouts are doing, so the staff and I missed over half of the campfire. Also, since everyone was up very late on Wedneday night, even fewer people than usual did the Polar Bear Swim Thursday morning. I think that is the LAST time we will move the fire to Wednesday night. Hopefully the adults arriving today won't be too disappointed they missed the fire.

The older scouts spent all the free time they could (including some they shouldn't have building their log-cabin fire. I guess they didn't realize that log-cabin fire is just a description. It doesn't really have to be the size of a log cabin, but try to tell them that. We were pretty sure that all the cars got moved, but based on the size of the pile, we weren't there wasn't one in there somewhere. Needless to say, when it was lit, it was pretty impressive.

A number of skits were presented (perhaps more than there was good material for). The old south commisioner's camp (the front lawn of wich we hold the fire on) has been converted to Two Harbors Campsite. This year, Troop 99 from Elk River is staying there, so we invited them to attend the campfire also (always invite the neighbors to noisy parties). After the Merit Badge round-up (well after 10:15) and number of staff members were able to join us, including Taylor Scharf, Nick Yearous, Radar (from last year), and several other staff. One staff member filled in for Mr. Broberg and told and good campfire story before we wrapped it up. The campfire finally wrapped up at about 11:30, but it was well after mid-night before everyone settled down. Several of the older scouts pulled their cots out and slept by the fire to keep an eye on it. By this morning, beleive it or not, it had pretty much burned down to just a few larger logs.

Thurday morning is the traditional Polar Bear Swim. Several of the staff members act out the story of Polar Bowlarinski and his adventure in Alaska with a Polar Bear that causes him to run into the water several time to escape the bear. Needless to saw, when he runs into the lake (in the story), so do we. And each time we do, he yell out "POLAR BEAR" to a different part of the lake to wake everyone one up. With the late night, the night before, attendance was down to two adults (Mr. Devitt and I) and a handfull of scouts, including several new scouts. We got back, collected the food (a bit late). Between the late food and the late night, everyone was dragging a little late this morning.

Breakfast this morning was pancakes, sausage, and grape juice. After Morning Assembly, they headed out to the morning merit badges classes. After our daily morning meeting with our commissioner, Mr. Fischer and I headed up headed to the admin building to update the blog and complete someother computer work. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Olson headed home (thanks Craig for helping organize everything) and Mr. Hauge arrived to take his place. This afternoon, three or four more adults should be arriving, and several more tomorrow. Mrs. Linde, Mrs. Dierauer, and Mrs. Modi have been staying Family camp and offering driving to get scouts to Flintlock and Ten Chiefs for the high adventure and Lifeguard programs as well as providing other logistics and moral support. A big thanks to ALL the adults that make this possible.

That brings us up to date. The scouts will have troop activities this afternoon (Rifle and Sailing), fourth hour class, dinner, and free time. A dozen or so scouts will be leaving tonight for Huck Finn and Treehouse overnights and 20 scouts will be attending Flintlock day programs tomorrow. I will try to get in at least one more update this week and send out an email when the scouts leave on Saturday.

We will be having about 16 scouts all next week, and 5 adults, with various adult guest early and late in the week. Mr. Elliott and Dr. Hoffmann will be making a visit on Saturday and Sunday, flying into Detroit Lakes and driving to camp.

That's all for now from Many Point Scout Camp...Jon Yearous

And a great time is had by all

I'm sorry that I've been a bit slow about updating the blog, but besides being very busy, there was the small matter of the storm last night...more on that later.

We arrived Sunday about 1:00 and promptly started setting up. We got most of the tents up and the scouts headed down to the beach for swim qualifications. Meanwhile, I headed "up north" (to the main camp admin building) to get us signed in. By the time I got back, the food and staples (bread, PB&J, oatmeal, soap, bleach, etc) were being delivered. When the boys returned, they finished setting up and started in on dinner. Beef Stew, chips, and apples. If the boys don't like what is on the menu for a meal, they can make themselves something out of staples.

The boys mostly relaxed until we got into our class A uniforms for the Voyager Camp opening campfire at 9:30. It was a great campfire, better even that those of past years, with the staff putting on some funny skits. We sang some song, listen to a story, and sang some more.

Once the campfire was over, we headed back to the campsite. The leadership held a Troop Leadership meeting, after which the adults met. The high during the day was the low 80's with a promised overnight low of 56. Great sleeping weather...if anyone slept. Everyone seemed to be wound up after the long drive (except for the adults) and they were bouncing off the trees until well after midnight. In the morning, it was difficult to get everyone up at the promised 6:30 and most of the scouts slept until 7:00.

Fortunately, the breakfast was simple (pop tarts, cereal and milk) so everyone was ready for the morning assembly at 8:30 (and mostly awake). Then it was off to first hour merit badge for everyone except the Senior Patrol Leader and the adults, we meet with our commissioner every morning to go over the day's events. The older scouts go off to second and third hour merit badges from 9:30 to 11:30 and the first year scouts are off to First Class Adventure during the same time. We have four scouts that spend all mosting at the Ten Chiefs beach taking BSA Lifeguard.

They head back to camp at 11:30 for lunch. On Monday, that was Hoagie Sandwiches. On Monday from 1:00 to 4:00, we had troop activities including Super Troop Service project and Greasey Watermellon. At 4:00 the scouts head to their fourth hour activity: Swimming for most, or one of a few Merit Badges. At 5:00, it's back to the site for a little slack time and dinner. Last night, it was Tacos.

The scouts have free time between 7:00 and 9:00, when they can go to the trading post or one of the available activities such as swimming, archery, shooting, climbing wall, etc. At 9:00, it was back to the campsite for a "snacks out" at 10:00 and lights out at 10:30. Several of the older scouts (that should know better) snuck out to pull a prank (involving moving around canoes). They found out later was a mistake that was for two or three reasons.

During the morning, it had been fairly comfortable, but as the day wore on the air kept getting warmer and more humid. A sure sign, the staff indicated of a developing storm. Sure enough, about 2:00 in the morning a big thunderstorm developed with lots of rain and lightening, that blasted until about 4:00. We were protected by the trees between us and the lake. The Two Harbors campsite next to us, and the Blackhawk campsite at Ten Chiefs were not so lucky, the wind off of the lake knocked down many tents and tarps. In our site we had some sleepless scouts, one sick scout, two wet sleeping bags, and a couple of tarps that fell down. Everyone survived.

However, after staying up late (before the storm) to pull their prank, the older scouts got even less sleep when the storm hit. The staff was up much of the night, pitching tents for the Two Harbors people and then had to "undo" the prank our boys pulled (which didn't make them happy). There was another, much less funny, prank pulled by someone else that night, and our guys found themseleves in the position of having to deny having pulled that one too. Once a troop has a reputation for pranks they found, you tend to get blamed for everything. They appologized for their prank and everything is fine now.

The storm also blew doen several trees on the north end of camp and knocked out the power line two places. The staff was able to put a generator on the well pump so we had water, but that meant no lodge coffee for early rising adults and some inconveniences during the day. I had originally intended to update the blog this morning, but with no power, the internet was down also.

Breakfast was French Toast, saugage, and tropical fruit punch (?). Then, it was the same routine for the morning: Assembly, three classes, and lunch. Lunch was hot dogs and baked beans. The afternoon was two hours of troop activities followed by the IRONMAN Race!! The Ironman starts out with canoeing, followed by swimming, followed by running. Scouts, can do all the legs, one or more of the legs, or cheer. Any scout that did at least one leg, will get an Ironman segment patch for their uniform.

After Ironman, it was fourth hour class and back for dinner (ham, mac & cheese, milk & salad) then off to Vespers (interdemoninational worship) followed by free time (activities) until 9:00.

That brings us up to date. It's 9:15 pm and I'm up at the admin building updating the blog. I'm going to close it out now and make the 20 minute trip back down to Voyager and go to bed.

That's all for now from Many Point....Jon Yearous

Great Things A Happening

As I mentioned in the last post, Many Point has been a busy place, even without Troop 346 present. At Voyager (our camp), the trading post has been greatly expanded. The rear wall (which was about 1/2 way back in the building) was removed and a new rear wall installed further back. There are now two screen doors in front for more ventilation.

As you enter, the first thing you see is the register counter, that has been moved from the side wall to the front, and expanded into an "L" shape.

There is now room for the cooler, the freezer, the slushie machine and plenty of display area.

Two movable tables have been added to the center of the room for additional display space.

Things won't seem quite so cramped there this year.

NEWS OF FUTURE VOYAGER IMPROVEMENTS:
The big news for Voyager will start at the end of this camping season. As soon as the last camper leaves this year, bulldozers will be removing the shower house and a brand new shower house will take its place. There will be individual showers, each accessible from the outside. There will also be a new adult shower area. Now THAT is something to celebrate.

OTHER T346 INVOLVEMENT AT MANY POINT

As some of you may know, there are two Troop 346 members on staff at Many Point this summer. Taylor Scharf is working at Voyager this summer, teaching the canoeing and rowing merit badges. Nick Yearous is working up at Buckskin, teaching the Weather Merit Badge and helping out at the beach.

We have also had four scouts attend Many Point already as part of one of the All Star Troops. New scouts Hunter A., Elliot C., Ben G. and Josh M. attended as part of an All Star Troop the first week Many Point was open. All Star Troops are an opportunity for scouts to attend Many Point, if they are unable to attend with their troop. An All Star Troop is made up of Scouts from several troops that are put together with Many Point Staff in a Buckskin campsite to experience Many Point as though they were a troop. From what Nick says, they all had a great time.

BACK TO MANY POINT...AGAIN

As I mentioned, I just returned from my second trip to Many Point this year. While Nick is on staff at Many Point, they are giving him two weeks off to attend Philmont with the two T346 crews that are part of the council contingent. To avoid driving 500 miles in one day, I decided to drive up on July 4th and come back with Nick on July 5th when he was done at noon (staff work from Sunday noon until Saturday noon each week).

As long as I was going to be around, I asked the staff to find a job I could do while was waiting (one may as well be useful as ornemental). The project they selected was to spiff up the main counter in the Admin building with some wood paneling. Anyone who has been to the admin building probably remembers this:

Well after several hours of cutting and nailing, it now looks like this:

You might notice that the loon is gone (it was painted on), but have no fear it will eventually re-appear.

The 4th of July week at Many Point is not one of their busier weeks. A lot of troops don't attend that week due to family vacations. Bucksin only had about 65 scouts in the entire camp (that's how many T346 is taking our first week). But there is a big incentive to attend that week. Be sides all the extra personal attention you get in smaller merit badge classes, there is a fireworks display at the closing campfire.

The former Many Point Director, Bob Gagner, got his commercial fireworks license a couple years ago, so he comes back on the 4th of July to put on a fire works display at each of the three camps.

Instead of holding the closing campfire Friday night at the camp fire ring, it was held at the beach.

The staff created a fire ring raft, lit the fire, and the skits and awards were presented on the beach. Near the end of the campfire, the fire works were launched from a point across the lake.

From the beach, we could also see the fire work displays of several near-by towns and the display at Voyager. It was quite a night.

Once Nick was done with his camp duties, we bid a fond adeu to Many Point and headed home for a (very) short stay.

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN AND INTO THE FIRE

8:00 Sunday morning, it was off to the airport to meet up with the rest of the scouts that will make up the council contingent to Philmont.

THERE, AND BACK AGAIN

Once our interpid crews return on July 18th, while most of the crew will be sighing with relief, we will be making our third trip to Many Point of the summer, to return Nick back to work on July 20th.

However, that won't be the last we will see of Many Point this summer. A short week after that, on July 27th, Troop 346 will be headed to Many Point for our annual summer camp.

This year, partly due to Philmont, and partly due to Minnetonka Schools unfortunate scheduling of their Freshman orientation, our numbers are down a bit. We will have about 65 scouts the first week, and 16 brave souls the second week. We will be trying to fit everyone into Ft. Bill this year, but have Savanna Portage on reserve, just in case. Next year, we have Ft. Bill and the new Two Harbors campsites reserved. Two Harbors is a new campsite where the old South Commissioner's site was.

Be sure to watch your email and the Troop website for updates on Many Point.

That's more than enough for now.

YIS....Jon Yearous

Is it that time again already?

Some of you may be wondering why there is a post for Many Point 2008 already, when we don't leave for Many Point for another three weeks? Even though Troop 346 may not attend Many Point until the end of July, that doesn't mean there isn't stuff happening up there.
I just returned Saturday from my second trip to camp this year. I first went to Many Point for the work weekend at the end of May/beginning of June. There was a crew of volunteers up there performing all manner of tasks to get the camp ready for this season.
My task this year was to help with the expansion of the Voyager Trading Post. The rear wall was knocked out and the trading post is now about twice the size it was before. I will try to post some pictures later.
It was weird seeing the camp with out all of the people, before the signs had been put back out, and all the equipment was stacked floor to ceiling in any building spot available. The campsites with weeds and grass growing in them was very different than when we see it at the end of July. By then, several weeks of Boy Scouts have trampled the ground and the sites have been mowed.
I'll tell you more about my second trip up there later.
YIS...Jon Yearous