Day 5- Thursday- We're in full stride

Thursday found us once again making the most of the packed programming schedule. Everyone is tired, but it is what I would call "happy tired." The truth is, if you don't go home from summer camp running on fumes, you probably didn't do it right!

Before I get into the day, since I may not get a final blog post done until everyone is home and recuperating, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the troop 270 team and superstars that make this whole escapade possible.

First and foremost- our scoutmaster Mr. Hoyack has worked his tail off for this troop for years- sustaining it, coaching leaders, mentoring scouts, and sacrificing his own family time for Troop 270. The troop we have today has largely been realized due to his efforts (and of course the many great leaders before him).

Second- a big thanks to the summer camp leader team who took time away from work and family to be here. Mr. Renzi and first timer Mr. Tilbe - who were able to join us from Sunday to Wednesday, and superstars Mr. O'Neil and Mr. Arasimowicz who have been here the entire week. The reality is, as they all now know being part of the club, the summer camp leader experience is really special. There are challenges and frustrations for sure, but they are vastly eclipsed by the front row seat we have:

-watching the young scouts go from early week jitters and fatigue to living their best 6th grade lives;

-watching second year scouts thrive, barely believing that they could have possibly struggled just a year ago;

-watching the older scouts have a great time while embracing their mentor roles and including the younger scouts in their fun (case in point- waterfront photos from yesterday)

The next big thank you goes to SPL Sebastian who has gotten his first real taste of what cat herding must be like (which is undoubtedly easier than being SPL at summer camp). The SPL summer camp experience is the most condensed, intense organizational and leadership challenge I have witnessed as a scout leader. It's almost like a crash course in parenting, only as a single parent with 14 kids! Sebastian has embraced it all, and as a result, every scout will go home having had a great time and with memories that will last a lifetime. Please thank Sebastian tomorrow along with the leaders when you pick up your scouts.

And some honorable mentions:

-Mr. Blatter and Mr. Arasimowicz who put together an delicious menu of fresh donuts (becoming a camp fixture over that past few years) and upside down pineapple cake.

-Mr. Blatter who as webmaster has set up this platform allowing us to have these fun, daily blog posts.

-Mrs. Hoyack for riding shot gun with me Saturday night when we dropped off the trailer

-Mr. Ladanyi who, until he had car trouble last weeekend, was planning to tow the trailer back and forth even though he didn't have a scout attending camp .

Here are a bunch of pics from yesterday. At some point between now and Sunday evening, I'll post more pics from yesterday, along with today and tomorrow morning. Highlights from yesterday include knots and lashings at Wilderness patrol; Sebastian, Liam, and Quinten winning the camp 3 on 3 bastetball tournament; and hosting the traditional Thursday night friendship fire featureing Donald (the scout, not the dad) as CFM (campfire master).

See everyone tomorrow!