Family Camping ~ Spring 2004

Having survived the snows and rains of winter, the Leaders of Pack 89 squinted up at the sun filled skies and declared it time to venture forth into the world and GO CAMPING!!!  So, with tents, sleeping bags, and food packed, we headed out late one Friday afternoon to visit the Mojave Narrows Regional Park.

Having scouted the place ahead of time, our fearless Cubmaster, Craig, assured us that this facility was well equipped enough to meet the BSA Cub Scout camping guidelines, and it definitely did.

Once we met up at the group site, we quickly set up camp, settled in, and helped those that arrive later to do the same.

Hotdogs and beans were served, and other tasty additions were contributed by each family.  Being from an area where camp-fires are prohibited, we were happy to be somewhere that we could enjoy one for a change.  The Scouts and their siblings eagerly enjoyed cobblers made in dutch ovens and smores for desert.

And so Friday afternoon came to a close, as we all turned in, tummies full, for a long restful night of...  listening to trains.  Hey, every camp site has its flaws.  This one happened to have the flay of freight trains passing by every hour or so all night.  (yawn)

Saturday dawned, Scouts rose, parents groaned, and our day began.  The agenda for Saturday was a full one, beginning at 9:00am with several hours of Fishing activities designed to help everyone working towards their World Conservation Award achieve that entire segment.

We started with a short presentation and discussion of California state laws governing fishing, safety rules to follow to protect ourselves, our friends, and the environment, and a demonstration of how to tie the "improved clinch knot".

Once the boring "talking part" was over, each Scout and sibling, with assistance from some of the leaders and parents, made their own simple fishing rigs with bamboo poles, line, hook, and optional weights and bobbers.

Learning done, rigs made, it was time to hit the lake!  Everyone started out using their home-made poles.  After 30 minutes or so, those that brought other gear were allowed to switch to that if they wanted.  Not many fish were caught, and those that were, were pretty small.  But everyone had fun, and all fish that were landed were successfully released without harm.

Fishing was fun, but there was other stuff to be done as well.  We learned about the parts of fish and drew pictures of them, we had casting contests for accuracy and distance, and out of necessity, we learned how to restring a casting reel after one of them tangled very badly on us.

We spent the rest of our day keeping very busy with...

        Games...

        Learning about Wildlife Conservation...  then reading about what we learned...

        Preparing desert to cook that night...

        Going on a hike and watching Canadian Snow Geese...   Then recovering from the hike...

        Playing around camp, and spending time with family.

As the day came to a close, we gathered for Closing Flag.  It's so rewarding towards the end of a Scouting year to see the Scouts use what they have learned about flag etiquette, and begin to really appreciate what it means.

Dinner was had, the camp fire was enjoyed, desert was GREAT! (as if anyone could dispute that faced with a chocolate covered grin).  We had chocolate/cherry cobbler, peach cobbler, more smores, and hibernating bananas.

As always, our heartfelt thanks go out to our Craig and Cynthia for planning such a GREAT event.  We also want to thank Walmart for donating two huge, well equiped, fishing derby kits, including rods, reels, hooks, bobbers, line, insect repellant, drinks, and much more.  These kits really helped to make it possible for every Scout that attended to earn their Fishing Beltloop, Pin, and a good chunk of the requirements for the World Conservation Award.  Thanks Walmart!