Camporee Days

We have been running like crazy for our first days here at the International Camporee. We walk several miles each day going back and forth for meals and to the programs or activity centers. We're just thankful it isn't raining! Having a blast running into friends from all over the country! Trading pins is a favorite pasttime for kids and adults. Sarah and Ben have their trading pins on their floppy hats.

Here is Sarah when we found her cousin Elizabeth outside the talent tent (in tan shirt with backpack). We had tried for days to call, but Heidi's phone was dead and we couldn't find them for most of the week. Another shot is with friend/neighbor, Charmaine, waiting for the main program and drama to begin. One more with lifelong buddy, Kelli, from Michigan (in maroon shirt).

Stopping at Wall Drug

How great to watch for the signs for Wall Drug over the past couple of days. Once we got there, we had time to check out some shops and even try our hand at mining! We ran into a couple of other Pathfinder clubs while we were there, and took time to search for a geocache before moving down the road.

South Dakota Views

After leaving Mt. Rushmore, we headed off to our KOA Campground. We lost the bus at one point, so decided to enjoy the scenery a bit along the way. It worked out great because we ended up pulling into the camp at the same time. Sarah is standing in front of the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Clint and Becky have been through here a couple of times since his folks used to live just north of Rapid City. We shared a lot of memories as we drove around today. A lot has changed! One thing that didn't change was the beautiful views, especially of the wild animals.

Mt. Rushmore

What a blast to go to Mt. Rushmore with our kids! So many great adventures already on our trip. We explored by groups, so Sarah was with a group of girls and Clint was with his boys. Ben and I quickly worked on earning his Jr. Ranger badge. It was fun when we would run into each other. Everyone is easy to spot in these yellow shirts! We enjoyed looking at all of the interesting displays and videos. Ben tried to sketch the view in his sketchbook.

They didn't give us enough time, so we raced through the gift shop, grabbed some group photos and ice cream, and cruised on our way.

Beautiful Black Hills

Whoosh! We're suddenly in South Dakota. We have to stick with the bus like glue, or we get way behind. We have to stop for gas more often than the bus, and we're just thankful we are able to stay connected by cell phones. They also have to pull out for breaks in the mountains to let the bus recover. The bus has been thankful to have us along, because they have used us to jump start them a few times.

Today we purposefully pulled away from the bus to find the home where Clint's folks lived north of Rapid City. Clint found it (of course, he finds everything), and it really looked basically the same except it is clear the hills behind have burned. We shared stories Clint remembered from his visits here, including his mom killing rattlesnakes and going fishing with his family.

We caught up to the bus on a hill, so we took a photo by the Black Hills National Forest sign. Ben surprised Mommy with a pretty flower to make me smile. It worked!

Devil's Tower National Monument

This was the first time for our whole family to see Devil's Tower National Monument. We camped right outside of the park, and enjoyed gorgeous weather. We're enjoying our cooking crew and appreciating the well planned meals. They arrived ahead of us and had our food ready for us last night.

Ben and I slept in our own tent and were quite comfy. Sarah was squeezed into a tent with a pile of girls. Clint benefited from having teen boys who could quickly get their tent up and down. In the morning we heading up for a quick hike around the tower. It was more grand than I imagined. We enjoyed reading about a lot of the legends surrounding the history of the tower. Today we go to South Dakota and Mt. Rushmore.

Cruising across Montana and Wyoming today. Stopped for lunch at Custer Battlefied Museum. Got a family shot, plus Clint with his boys. Yes, they are mostly taller than he is, but he remains in charge. :)

We had time to pop in the shop and find they had a smashed penny machine! Luckily, Becky was prepared with a roll of quarters and pennies to help with our souvenior penny collections on this trip.

We were later captivated by the facinating Wyoming wildlife along the freeway as we returned from a visit to a petrified forest area.

Oshkosh or Bust!

No turning back now! After more than a year of fund-raising, and months of preparations, we're off. We loaded Sarah on the Pathfinder bus, put the rest of us in our van (along with way too much luggage and stuff), and headed off to the big International Pathfinder Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It will be a long road trip, but with lots of great stops on the way and alot of excited kids on board.

First stop was at an Academy where we have an inside connection - Mt. Ellis! Got to stay with the boys at their house instead of on the gym floor, and were treated to yummy, only in Montana, crepes for breakfast.

Pathfinder Rally

Today was the regional Pathfinder Rally. Clint was working in his role as teen boys counselor and Sarah was busy with all the programs and activities. Becky volunteered in the kitchen to help with the spaghetti lunch and hot dog supper, and Ben was a kitchen helper too!

Their afternoon activity was to put together flower arrangements and deliver them to locations around town. Sarah went with a group to a retirement home. We continue to be inspired by the Pathfinder leaders, counselors, and kids in our region. We're so thankful Sarah has this opportunity.

They ended the day with roller skating and swimming. How do they do it all?

Thoughts on Unicycles

Unicycles just have one wheel.

I'm noticing the teenage boys seem crazy about them.

The teenage girls seem crazy about the boys riding them.

Clint sometimes releases the teenager hiding inside.

Clint was able to ride a unicycle when I first knew him in Academy.

He says he has to do it because his Pathfinder boys are doing it.

There was a Unicycle Honor being offered at the retreat.

Somehow Clint's name showed up on the list to take this honor.

Maybe I should keep Sarah away from boys on unicycles?

Will Clint be the next one-wheel wonder? He's pretty good for not riding in a few years.

If the X-ray tech breaks a bone, who will take the X-ray?

Too many thoughts about unicycles?

Let us know if you feel a sudden desire to ride a unicycle after watching this video!

Pathfinder Leadership

Well, when we signed up for this Pathfinder Leadership weekend, we were anticipating some relaxing in such a lovely setting away from kids. We did enjoy some time to talk in the van on the way here. Once we arrived and saw the schedule, we were a bit surprised to learn that we would barely have a moment to ourselves.

We had meetings from early in the morning (before breakfast) and into the evening. We are on slightly different meeting "tracks," but most of our meetings overlap. I'm working on an Adventurer track and Clint is getting his counselor training for Pathfinders. The good news was every meeting was really great and I am so thankful to have had this opportunity. The whole weekend has been well planned and executed. Since this is my first time here, I have to be careful to get to the right building at the right time. The other attendees have been great as well.

Our banquet tonight was optional for outfits - past, future or heavenly Pathfinders. We were thinking of a few ideas, but didn't have anything worked out when some friends learned they were unable to come. They passed along their WONDERFUL heavenly outfits so they would get used. We had to work on placing the patches on the sashes, and a bit of pinning, but otherwise it was very easy. We couldn't say no, and we had fun going as heavenly Pathfinders. We ended up winning a prize! The photos are all a bit dark, but hopefully you get the idea.

There were some very creative outfits - a caveman Pathfinder, a Native American Pathfinder, and several in old uniforms from parents or grandparents. Our friend, Felix, wore his uniform from when he was in Malaysia which was a great blue color.

After the banquet, we changed and met back for some free time. It was late, but we agreed to play one or two quick games of Boggle. We pulled out other games but didn't see anyone else interested, so agreed to just play each other. After a moment, a few people joined so we played some more. I think we had more than 10 people at the Boggle table for one game. It was crazy! We kept playing "one more" until we were really tired and called it quits. It was a nice break after so many meetings.