This was Don's 10th year as Blue Mountain Boy Scout Camp Chaplain. I (Becky) decided that I wanted to be on staff this year too. I think I really just wanted to have a chance to camp out since Don never feels like camping after all the scout camping he does in June. Don and our sons have helped with the camp and I usually stayed home to hold down the fort. Don't we look great in our uniforms? This was taken at the end of the week, too.
This is part of the dinning area. We ate well and needed it because we did a lot of walking. Don and I were camp commissioners. Our responsibilities were to register and watch over about nine troops each. We visited each campsite daily and checked on things. We usually went together for the visits and enjoyed talking to Scout Masters and the boys. We were invited to dinner with a troop from Sandy, Utah on Thursday. They were a well run troop. It was fun being with them and the dinner was delicious. (Dad even used the recipe and made the chicken for us yesterday for Father's Day.)
This was one of the rare-sit and relax moments. We figured that we walked 5-6 miles every day. It was so beautiful up there. It was cool. Because of that we didn't have to deal with gnats or other bugs. I wore a coat or jacket most of the time. We got a little rain but not enough to worry about. It wasn't enough to even cut down the dust.
Don's main responsiblity at camp is the Camp Chaplain. He conducts a morning devotional every morning at 7 a.m. It is a Scout's Own Service. We sing a hymn, have prayer and the Chaplain gives a daily message. He uses scripture, poems, and stories. The service Monday was for the staff because the troops hadn't arrived yet. The rest of the week there was standing room only in the chapel. We counted 235 people at Tuesday's meeting. The real blessing came this year in the form of benches. The Holyoaks from Moab provided the camp with wood planks the were used to improve the amphitheatre and the chapel. People used to sit on logs that were on the ground. We were so excited to be able to sit on benches. I think that helped increase numbers in attendance but there were never enough places for everyone to sit. It was standing room only. Don gave very good messages too.
A scout troop helped fix up the chapel for a service project. They were just finishing up painting the top of the benches when I took this picture. Sister Holyoak said that with the huge attendance we may have to "split the ward." It was great to have so many people start their day with a devotional. I think it helped the spirit of the camp. It was a good week. I'll post more later.
