What a Summer!!! Part One, The Camp Out

It's been quite a summer.  I knew if I could get through this one, it would be full, very fulfilled one.  And, on Thursday, I finished the last of the three big ticket items you might say.  This year I had Stake Girl's Camp that I was the Stake Camp Director, the neighborhood campout that we I guess sponsor each year, and then my work, patient "thank you" party at Cherry Hill.  There's already a post about Girl's Camp, so here's the other two.

The neighborhood camp out is one of the highlights each year.  Many families in our area get together and for a pretty low fee all they really have to do is pack their clothes and camping equipment.  The rest is provided from Thursday evening until Saturday afternoon.  It's a blast.  The river was perfect this year with the just the right amount of water so no danger, but enough to go down and not get stuck all along the way.  Food, was great.  It is always so much fun as the people who go are always the ones who step in to help and so there is plenty of help.  We eat, very well I might add.  Spaghetti dinner with delicious garlic bread made on the Scout grill that we take with us.  Funny how we go through five loaves of bread on this meal alone.  We make dutch oven cobblers and then s'mores for those who want them.  Next morning is French Toast, bacon, fruit, milk, juice and of course hot chocolate.  Then it's off to the river.  Oh, don't forget the plethora of treats with licorice, oreos, the famous trail mix with extra m&m's and rice chex cereal added in and whatever other things we can add.  No one goes hungry mind you.  After a few runs down the river, we cook hot dogs and hamburgers, this year we added Bishop Bob's famous beans.  They didn't disappoint.  Great addition.  This is the night that a few people come up for the Dutch oven dinner so we prepare ribs which take several hours to cook to make them melt in your mouth.  The secret is in the sauce that we make with ketchup and Pepsi.  Then off to the river again.  We make yummy potatoes covered with cheese, salad, corn, rolls and lemonade.  It's a yummy meal.  Then after all the dishes and ovens are cleaned.  We bring out the scone dough, a huge tradition that they all love.  This year our friends the Kilpack's joined us and brought their big outdoor screen and the kids watched a movie in the great outdoors.  It was a great night.  It's so much fun.  Then off to bed to a great night sleep where the weather cools down to a pleasant and wonderful sleeping temperature.

Next morning, breakfast burritos with eggs and sausage, more fruit, milk, juice and then off to the river again.  After more river runs for a few more hours, we cook up whatever is left and then pack up to go home.  It's 2.5 days of good fun with wonderful friends, playing games, talking, laughing and just being a little lazy and enjoying the great outdoors.  We come home and immediately book for the next year.  So if you are reading this and it sounds like something you would like to do.  Feel free to join, all are welcome, $125 for all what I explained.  And, if my words are not enough to convince you, here are the pictures.  They will tell a better story.  The dates are July 30-August 2, 2015.  Get it in your phones, your calendars, etc.  You won't be sorry...