Talent Show, Awards, and Father Nature
How did it get to be the final full day of June Camp already? Here are some highlights from yesterday at camp:
Awards Assembly:
Beginning during the second Free Choice period, everyone gathered in the McGrady Gym for the Awards Assembly! We celebrated the hard work of these boys all session long, recognized outstanding achievements, and congratulated those who earned Ranger and Warrior (the highest two levels) in their activity progressions. There were 3 Warrior levels achieved this session - Bennett T. in Fishing, Connor B. in Pottery, and Grayton K. in Sailing.
Birds of Prey and Snake Educational Program:
Steve Longenecker (SFL) is known around here as “Father Nature,” often sharing his knowledge about the natural world through educational programs with the wildlife he cares for. Yesterday he taught the boys about venomous snakes found in this area, allowing the boys to see a rattlesnake and a copperhead in person. They also were introduced to a non-venomous ball python. Once the boys are more informed, they can appreciate and respect snakes and birds of prey for the impressive animals that they are, rather than just being terrified of them, or thinking that some wildlife are inherently bad. They will also be more educated on what to do if they ever encounter these creatures while out on the trail.
The boys were also able to see the screech owl and red tailed hawk, who live with SFL since they are no longer able to survive in the wild on their own. You can read more about SFL and his educational programming here on this blog from a previous summer. Gizmo, the female screech owl mentioned in that blog, is the same one who the boys were able to meet yesterday!
Talent Show:
For Evening Program we were treated to a Talent Show, featuring the many skills and talents that these boys have! There were jokes, magic tricks, skits, singing, and more. It takes a lot of bravery and Warrior Spirit to share in front of a big crowd, and we’re grateful and proud of all the boys who chose to participate in the show last night.
Trips that Returned:
Yesterday our final trips returned so that we could spend today all together back at camp.
Shining Rock Wilderness: the backpackers returned from a trip to the Shining Rock Wilderness, North Carolina’s largest wilderness area that covers 18,000 acres of beautiful mountain land. The boys hiked through misty mountains, along tranquil creeks, and among blooming rhododendron and mountain laurel. There was plenty of time for playing in the creeks and enjoying s’mores too!
During their three days biking around the burly trails of Pisgah National Forest, the mountain bikers were able to enjoy Moore Cove Falls. This part of North Carolina is often referred to as the “land of waterfalls,” but this 50ft cascade is one of the few that you can walk behind!
Tuckasegee/Nantahala: the paddlers have been loving all this rain! They were able to enjoy some great whitewater on the Tuckasegee and Nantahala rivers in North Carolina. There were some boys in canoes and other in kayaks, all enjoying one final river trip for the session.
It’s sure to be a fantastic and busy final day here at camp!