Five Weeks of Summer - Gone Like That

At the end of the school year, one of the Scout parents commented that I must really be looking forward to the summer and some time off from Scouting.  I appreciated this comment for its notion that I would actually take time off from Scouting.  But I laughed as it's the busiest Scout summer I've ever had.  

We get ten weeks of summer vacation  - and I've spent, are you ready for this? - five of those weeks camping with Boy Scouts.  Even I'm ready for a rest!  How did this happen?

• one week of summer camp with the Troop
• nearly three weeks at the 100th anniversary National Boy Scout Jamboree with 50,000 of my closest friends
• nearly one week of Wood Badge executive management training for leaders which is very near and dear to my heart

This is where I slept for a few weeks while at the Jamboree.  Home Sweet Home.

This was such a wonderful experience.  I met so many dedicated volunteers giving up their time to come help 50,000 Scouts have the best possible experience at the Jamboree.  There were professionals from all walks of life helping out and each one of them had a heart of gold.  

And this was a waterfall work of art outside one of the medical clinics at another sub-camp.  You gotta love these people's sense of humor!  

So no, I didn't really get to take a break from Scouting over the summer - but it was definitely the best of times.  Summer's not over yet.  I pick up four boys from Youth Leadership Training in the morning (and I can't wait to hear all about it!).  I resisted the urge to volunteer at this event, which I believe is showing quite a bit of self-restraint on my part!  Then I have a few days to make my final preparations for the Wood Badge training before heading up to my final week of Scouting for the summer.  All I can say is this:  It's been a very good year!

Comments

[kathy b]

Waterfall art .......so cute and funny

[Marianne]

Summer is way too short! Our scouts are getting ready for a canoe/camping trip for next month, couldn't fit it in during the summer..But you sure packed a lot in!

[danielle]

Gotta say - I LOVE the waterfall!!!

[Beth]

I can tell you really love Scouting! School starts for my daughter this week so our summer is officially done.

[cathy]

Sounds fabulous to me! I know I miss it now that I've been out for a 'few' years.