Cub Scout Camping (3-26)

We learned a lot this campout, some new things and some lessons learned by trial and error (scary, rainy, wet errors).  You can see our tent location, looks pretty decent doesn't it.  There is a stream about 40 feet behind the tent, we knew it was supposed to rain this weekend, just thought all the water would run off into the stream, it might expand with rain, but not overflow and wash away the tent... no, this was a good spot.

Mr. Boyer (Jacob's Den leader) showed Jacob some different knots to tie and then Jacob and Alex (a fellow member of the Den and Mr. Boyer's son) would use those knots and put up a tarp and make a tent/shelter.  They did a really good job, we even used the tarp to sit under during a light dusting of rain.  Both pieces withstood some rain and kept us dry, they actually did a good job with their knots.  Jacob can now tie a square knot, double hitch, and taught line (and so can I).

The rain held off most of the day and the boys got to play all sorts of games.  There was "The Blob", the blob started with three boys holding hands, they would then chase the remaining boys and tag them, once tagged, they became a part of the blob.  This was Jacob's favorite.

They then moved onto make parachutes for green army men, a tad tedious, but still enjoyed.  Then some kick the can.  Loads of fun with this one, and they got it pretty quick.  Next was the balloon toss.  Jacob and his partner finished in a tie for first place so they had a toss off where the distance between throws got 15'-20'.  These were some tuff balloons because they were rarely caught, just hit the ground (and not burst).

Bean Bag Toss was up next.  Jacob did pretty well at this one.  He was the only boy all day to skip the bag off the ground and into the hole.

The boys finished with turtle soccer, while standing up they form a circle and spread their legs until their foot touched the boy next to them.  The leader would introduce a soccer ball into the circle and the boys would try, with one hand only, to hit ball through the legs of another boy.  When that happened that boy was out and the circle got smaller.  This was murder on the adult's hamstrings when they played with the kids.

We went back to the tent to chill out for a while and get ready for the flag ceremony.  I must say I enjoyed the new larger tent, even though Jacob looked like he was in a comatose nightmare.  On the way to the flag ceremony there was a massive lightning strike about a quarter mile from where we were walking, just a taste of what was coming later that night.  At that point it was everyone back to the camp site and hunker down until dinner and the bonfire and skits.  For dinner both Jacob and Alex signed up for some dish washing.  This was a picture I just had to get, Mom wouldn't believe it even if I told her.

Jacob and Alex did a pick pocket skit that was pretty funny.  Luckily the rain held off for most of the Cub and Boy Scout skits.  Then it was back to the tent and ready for bed.  Again, we knew it was going to rain and even storm a bit, but not sure anyone knew what we were really in for by staying.  Well, maybe a couple people (or even entire packs) because they went home.  We knew we were under a tornado watch, but that's not too terrible.  All the adults with their smart phones were watching the massive storms headed our way from Alabama (that's actually very cool that they can do that).  The adults and kids separated and the adults talked about staying or leaving with the impending weather headed right at us.  To say the majority decided to stay isn't quite fair because there was only about ten or twelve adults left and of those two decided to pack up.  But we were gonna stick it out.

WOW!, a massive thunderstorm in a tent in the woods is very, very scary.  Did I say scary, I meant SCARY!  Very intense and the sounds were unlike any storm I've ever heard.  I wish there was a way to describe it, but there just isn't.  Two huge cells rolled over us, one at 1am the other at 4am.

We clearly made it, but it was an experience I'd rather have not had.  One of the dad's in the morning said he was gonna kiss his house when he got home.  Another talked about just pulling the sleeping bag over his head and if they died, they died.  Thinking about it, what are you going to do, pack up and head home.

Well, my thought out tent location wasn't so well thought after all.  The tent was surrounded by water and we slept on the original waterbed.  A large pocket of water had formed under the tent.  Guess we were in a lower spot then I realized, more thought will go into the next tent location.  The tent had done a great job though, no leaks at all, condensation yes, but no rain or water leaks.  We packed up and headed home, a little wet, a little muddy, and a little wiser.