This weekend I went camping on a farm with my boy scout troop. The theme was wilderness survival, so I had to start a fire three different ways, flint and steel, magnifying glass, and those hand drill thingies. And the big part, sleeping in a shelter that I would make and I did just that.
Also I caught some fish. pictures coming soon.
Over the summer Mimi had a few projects to keep her busy. In non-pandemic years she would do some volunteering at the library. Since that's not happening, they provided a bingo board full of activities.
For this activity Mimi was supposed to spend time in nature and take a photo of something that inspires her. She was at girl scout day camp and took this during one of the camp fires.
"If you have too much on your plate, get a bigger plate."
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All three kiddos had a camp this year through the church (three days, two nights). Parker probably wouldn't have gone, except he missed last year. Yoda's age group usually wouldn't have gone, except the ages have been changed around so this was his first year. Somehow Greg lucked out and went to ALL THREE CAMPS! Luckily, Greg was only in charge of Yoda's camp, and he was just a dad for Mimi's and Parker's camp.
First was High Adventure with Parker (the name is a carryover from Boy
Scouts). Usually we get a picture of just the 2 of them, this is will
do. They went white water rafting and had a good time. Greg said it was almost a cruise, we joked that it was kind of a "low adventure". Meaning they have had much more wilderness survival in the past and this one was very easy.
Mimi's camp was a surprise, a few days before camp started we got word that they needed a few dads to attend. There was WiFi at the cabin, so he was able to work almost the whole time. I gave him strict instructions that was not a leader, he was to let the women who had done all the planning be in charge. He could be helpful if asked, but not take over building a campfire or pitching tents for example. Turns out it was a good thing, Mimi really needed some help from Greg those days.
One more organized camp left. Mimi and I will attend GS day camp, this year she's a youth leader! I get to hang with little 7-yr-olds. If Greg takes the kiddos on a backpacking trip again, I'll let you know.
Greg took the kiddos off on another long hike. After the last hike we asked what they wanted to do differently or the same--they all wanted to go again, they wanted to switch around who got what backpacks, and go for a shorter hike. But they went on a longer hike, I think it was by accident.
They did a TON of prep and planning before hand, they went for 3 days, 2 nights, and had a pretty good time over all. They may go again if the weather holds. (I stayed home and did a bunch of painting and stuff around the house and didn't cook the whole time!)
Here are some photos, before, during and after the hike...
2020 means no traditional High Adventure. So Greg thought maybe he'd just take Parker, and maybe Mimi on a backpacking trip. I suggested he take Yoda too and I could get some odd chores done around the house. We figured out the best few days and they did it!
About 16 miles of hiking, 2 nights of sleeping and just about a 1.5 hour drive away. They prepped a little, by now they know what works and what doesn't, and went on a Monday morning, just after Parker had his senior photos taken. And they got home on Wednesday night ready for pizza!
The first photo is before they hit the trail, the last photos are just before driving home.
