MBA Father-Son Camp Out

They couldn't have had finer weather for a fall camp out . . . the temps were cool but not cold, the sky was clear, and the camp fires smelled so good!

For this year's annual MBA-wide Father-Son camp out, we had about 135 lads and dads, and if the laughter and shouting were any indication, they all had a marvelous time.  The weekend's activities included archery practice:

Pellet gun practice:

Sling shot practice:

And even a little blow gun practice:

The guys had lists of activities . . .

And they were checking it twice!

You couldn't see the forest for the tents!

Good fellowship, good food, and good fun.

And maybe a little fishing . . .

Girl Scout Troop 264

The only thing more fun than a new group up at the camp, is a new group that's also new to camping! That was the way of it this past weekend, when Girl Scout Troop 264 came out for their inaugural camp out.

A few of the adults came out ahead, to get their tents set up first, but before dark arrived, all the girls and their moms were present, and all tents were up!  Well, almost.

One last arrival and the ladies made short work of getting the tent set up!

Dinner was foil packet meals, cooked over the campfire.  You'd never know these gals weren't pros!

The girls had a great time (if the shouts and laughter were any indication) and even got in a little time on the obstacle course.  

They left early Saturday morning . . . and didn't leave of trace!  We hope they'll visit us again.

GSNA - Day Camp Time!

We have had the privilege of being the host spot for day camp (day five) of the Girl Scouts of North Alabama for three years, now!  This year, the weather was perfect for a day of activities, food and fun!  And with 162 girls, leaders and parents, I think this may have been their biggest year, ever!

They all worked on badges and projects throughout the day.  One of the favorite stations is the campfire station. 

Not only do girls learn proper procedures for starting, safely maintaining, and putting out their campfires, but they also get to put the campfire to use . . .

Making s'mores!  You can see why it's a favorite!

They had lots of fun activities and crafts going on, too:

Earlier in their week, they all made the fun tie-dyed tee-shirts.  Each age group uses a different set of colors...

Makes them easier to spot that way (and determine if one is where she shouldn't be)!

That afternoon, they even had a fire truck come to the camp -- all the way from Keel Mountain Volunteer Fire Department!

Fire safety and prevention is a top tool for campers!

One of the coolest group projects the girls did was this fabulous handprint tree:

They did a great job with it! It gives us some ideas for a "hand print registry" for future visitors to the camp! 

It was a terrific day -- we love hearing the camp filled with the sounds of happy children (and adults) enjoying God's goodness!  And we hope they'll make it four years in a row by returning next year, too!

Lighthouse Baptist Youth

One of our favorite groups came up this past weekend from Lighthouse Baptist Church. 

The older youth came up for some R & R and some team building exercises. Prior to them coming up it had rained every single day during the week. 

Everyone set up their sleeping arrangements near the pavilion which proved to be a good idea since around midnight the rain came. 

There was much scurrying about and by the time it was over people had new resting spots, on top of picnic tables, in the bed of pick-up trucks and in tents that were now under the pavilion. 

All in all they said the weekend went great and they look forward to coming back in the Fall.

Pack 451 Family Camp Out

This pack had never made a visit to the Camp before . . . and the weather Friday was so bad, they cancelled for that day and came up early Saturday, instead.

Luckily, though the ground was a little damp, the sun came out and made for a great camping weekend.  This group had a LOT of activities going on . . .

They started with a thorough briefing to their participants on the camp layout and rules, the safety talk and the Boy Scouts "Leave No Trace" talk.

Once that was taken care of, they had a flag ceremony and a bridging ceremony . . .

And from there, they did a great first aid presentation and even used elements of the obstacle course to help show the boys what to do in different situations!

They also used the obstacle course in the traditional sense . . .

And made sure each boy got a helping hand if he needed a boost!

The families camped both down around the pavilion and up in the top field.

Several of the adults commented they'd never heard of the Camp before.  We hear this a lot!

They had a great time and the boys had the opportunity to learn a lot, as well as enjoy lots of play time (and lots of good food, too).  We hope this pack comes back again, soon!

Family Camping Party

This group, mostly families from Farley Community Church, had the right idea!  They started pulling in on Friday, and by Saturday afternoon, they had the campground looking like a filled campground!  

A couple families stayed in pop-up campers, one pulled a (new) trailer camper, and one had a 5th wheel camper.  The rest of the families had tents all over the place . . .

We walked up during dinner time on Saturday evening (of course!) and there was all kinds of cooking going on -- folks using Dutch ovens for all kinds of foods and even grilling steaks.  We had to laugh -- even

with all that cooking and eating going on, one of the ladies was already looking forward to cinnamon rolls in the Dutch oven on Sunday morning!

There was even some sort of spit rigged over the fire and we wondered if they were going to have a pig roast!  But alas, it was just for drying boots.

Lots of happy kids road their bikes and hiked and played.  The families spent most of the day Saturday and Sunday playing in the creek, splashing and having fun.  They even brought and setup a volleyball net out in the upper field . . .

And then donated it to the camp -- we're very grateful for that addition!

This little fellow may not be the youngest camper we've ever had up here, but at six months old, he's got to be close!

We were very happy to have this gang up here for Memorial Day weekend -- they are welcome any time!