Now that was fun! As Baloo would say, "That was a real Scouting event - it rained!"
It may have rained Saturday night & while we were on the river on Sunday, but we all had a great time! Let's go back to the beginning...
Friday night, May 25, 2007 saw Cubs, Scouts and leaders trailing in to our camp on the shores of the Mighty Maitland River just south of Auburn. After setting up our tents and setting ground rules, we made a fire, explored a bit and had a night snack. It was going to be a long, but fun day on the river tomorrow, so let's get some sleep, right? Well, the Grouse kept at least one leader up most of the night throbbing not far from our campsite in the cedars. As he finally drifted to sleep, the Bald Eagles started to make their haunting calls keeping me awake... and then a Cub (who shall remain nameless), discovered light and woke the rest of the camp up almost 2 hours early!
The Scouts made us french toast and oatmeal for breakfast - Yum! Good job guys! They made us lunch too! And off we went up north to our put in point on the river. We all launched onto the river, and, although we went a week earlier this year, the water level was down. So we came across a few more boulder gardens than last year... and a few more groundings too! We paddled down to our annual lunch spot, where Jimmy saw a Snapping Turtle! And off we went again. There was a light drizzle, and a nice overcast sky making it a nice temperature to be paddling. Among the many birds flying around, we saw Seagulls, Swallows, a Great Blue Heron, and Ducks.
We made it back to the Camp no worse for wear, but some of us a bit wetter for swamping a canoe or falling in (oh wait - the falling in was before lunch!). Into dry clothes & the Beavers had joined us for the afternoon. Free time for the Cubs & more paddling exercises for the Scouts happened until dinner. During free time Jimmy helped Bagheera practice his lashing and Keegan found a frog. They made a table to improve the kitchen area. And right after dinner we were off to our tents to get into uniform. All sections did their opening for each other (and our parents) to see. We then had all third year youth head up to the next section. A gaggle of Beavers went up top Cubs & a lone wolf left Cubs & headed up to Scouts.
The Beavers headed home, and the rest of us headed back into the cedars for a relaxing campfire before heading to bed. The night past. Dawn broke. The sky lightened. Nothing stirred. Bagheera's alarm went off. Was turned off. Still nothing stirred. Time passed. THEN a Cub saw the light... and let the rest of us know it was time to get up!
So, out of bed, dress & pack up everything including our tents to get ready for the last dash to Ball's Bridge top end our canoe trip. Yeah! french toast & oatmeal for breakfast again! While some leaders went to place vehicles at the end point, the Cubs & Scouts found ways to entertain themselves. They found similarities between the Cub & Scout promises and laws. They also went for a mini hike. Just as we prepared to get on the river, it began to rain. We put into the river around noon, and off we went. Only a couple of walking spots for us heavy leaders and some very nice paddles and swifts for us all to enjoy. I must point out that right after the Scout canoe said, "Hey look at us, we never get stuck on a rock!" - they got stuck on a rock! Nice going guys, and a spectacular grounding too! The rain started getting heavier, but the spirits of the paddlers still high. And then around the corner came the sight we both looked forward to and dreaded - Ball's Bridge. Once again our canoe camp had drawn to a close.
See you all on Sunday, June 3rd, 2007 at 1300 hours (1 pm) for the Grand Opening of the camp's new building!
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