This year was the first year I was able to take one of the boys to Cub Scout resident camp. It was only a couple of days, but it was ridiculously fun.
And it wasn’t the only camp this summer.
As I documented earlier I volunteered at this year’s Cub Scout Day Camp which Ciárán attended. He had a great time, but that wouldn’t be the end of it.
Resident camp happened earlier this month, and it was only about an hour or so away at a camp I had not been to before but heard great things about.
We got there a little late but checked in and it turned out we were the only ones from our pack. We were placed in a campsite with a couple of other packs, which was fine. I was however, hoping for a couple of familiar faces, but it turned out they were not needed to keep Ciárán engaged.
After our swim test and a short jaunt in a rowboat on the (small) lake it was time to head over to the archer range. I had expected this to be an activity Ciárán would want to go back to during his free time.
Note how the bow is particularly large but he improves with each shot.
That would be the only time we visited the archery range.
Two activities would occupy Ciárán’s free time. One of those would be the climbing wall.
This was completely unexpected. After getting a taste of it the first day Ciárán would go back over the next two days.
There was a portable climbing wall with four pitches, some harder than others. After attempting a couple Ciárán was able to make his way up the easiest route.
He would be back to try the others.
The next morning we wound up having some scheduled time out in the rowboat again.
This was fun because it was still rather early and it was nice to spend just the two of us together. As we made our way to the other side of the lake we heard something, presumably a beaver, splash into the water.
Another scheduled activity was an orienteering class.
Then there was the other activity which took up Ciárán’s free time. The BB Gun Range.
After getting a taste of this at Day Camp the previous week Ciárán wanted to try it again. Then he found out he could earn the Shooting Sports badge. This is a new award for Cub Scouts this year, he earned the one for archery as well as the first part of BB guns, but here he could earn both parts so he went for it.
This would mean he would have to come back to the range twice more on his own during advancement time. Which he did.
One of the aspects of camp is the dining hall, where the scouts take turns helping set tables and serve, Ciárán had his turn serving dinner one evening.
It wasn’t during this meal but a different one where Ciárán said “I’m freaking out right now. I’m eating things I don’t normally like.
Another one of the scheduled activities was knot-tying.
And being camp there were campfires to be had.
Sadly we were going to have to leave early on Saturday as I was designated troop transport the next morning for the Boy Scout troop to their summer camp. We wouldn’t be missing much more than the final campfire and closing ceremony the following morning.
Ciárán made sure to head back to the climbing wall a couple of times that day. Conquering that final route was something he was determined to accomplish, even if were the last thing he did.
I don’t know how many total attempts he made over the multiple times he visited the climbing wall. What I do know is that every opportunity to climb he took it. Ciárán’s hands were sore by the end of camp.
And in the last free period of camp he managed to climb and conquer that last pitch.
His arms were tired and he couldn’t let go of the handhold to press the buzzer at the top so he used his head.
This is a sad picture. It was taken after the final dinner at camp. I was loading the van to go back home and the rest of the campsite was either in the camp’s field playing a game or getting ready for campfire.
Despite having to leave early we both had a great time. It was nice being able to spend some time with just Ciárán and it was great to see him accomplish things he otherwise would not have the opportunity to. I’m really proud of him for not giving up on that climbing wall as well as working toward getting his shooting sports badge.