Boy Scout Camporee

A week ago tonight Spencer went to his first Boy Scout Camporee. (I *think* a camporee is different from a regular campout because it involves lots of other troops. But I could be wrong. What do I know? I'm not a Boy Scout.)

Anyways, Camporee. It was held at Fair Oaks Dairy Farm, so the boys got to actually camp in a field behind the farm, which I think is pretty cool. Spencer did, too, although getting any information from him about his experience was like pulling teeth. Sheesh.

The poor Scout Master in our ward lost some drivers at the last minute and was scrambling for help, so Lance and I volunteered. Actually, I volunteered and then told Lance I would drive that night and he would drive the next to pick them up. (Fortunately, I have a very patient and long-suffering husband who is willing to help when I ask!) So I drove a minivan-full of scouts about an hour north. It was... interesting. Scouts are strange beings. We talked for a bit and then it got very quiet in the car. So I brought up movies, which they talked about, and then someone brought up video games, and then they talked A LOT. Those guys love video games.

We had to do a lot of waiting once we were there. As I sat in the minivan and watched these boys goof off in the parking lot, it dawned on me that when I was a teenager, I thought boys my age and a little older were so... well, I don't know. So much cooler than these boys. But seriously? How much have teenage boys changed over the last 25 years? Not much. How could I have ever been intimidated by them back then? Teenage boys are dorks. So are teenage girls, but maybe not so plainly. I guess what I'm really trying to say is that I really felt like an adult that night.

I wouldn't have known much of anything that happened, but Spencer's leader took a bunch of pictures and sent them to the parents. (Cool, right? Well done, Pete!) Here are some that I found that had Spencer in them. (I'd ask Spencer about them, but he's at a birthday party right now. That boy's social calendar has been filling up lately. Portent of things to come, I'm sure.)

 Spencer carrying a rather large pot.

Troop 391 in front of the milk bottle climbing wall.

Signing the cow.

I think this is just our ward (with a few random boys from the the stake...)

Jumpin'!

Jumping some more.

More jumping!

The camp. There were A LOT of boys and A LOT of tents! When I dropped them off it was pretty impressive, all those tents under an almost-full moon. And mosquitoes. LOTS of mosquitoes.

Eating walking tacos for lunch.

And a little flag football.

Spencer came home dirty, smelly, grouchy, and tired. All the signs of having had a great time, right? First Boy Scout Camp Out: survived. (And not just survived - enjoyed!)