Spring Camp Out

We had a fantastic Cub Scout camp out this weekend at Jack Webb's ranch in Chapel Hill. The weather was beautiful - not too hot, not too cold, no rain, and decent sunshine.

We camped in the rolling hills of a pasture surrounded by clumps of overbrush, live oaks, some pines, and perhaps some maples. There was a nice little creek running through the pasture with a few log crossings and a small footbridge. The boys didn't feel obligated to cross on those, though - several ended up soaked.

Jackson and Porter were both presented their Scout ranks at the camp fire - Wolf for Jackson and Tiger for Porter. Also at the camp fire, we retired the school's old American flag - a truly beautiful ceremony, full of pride and patriotism. To close the evening, several of us gathered around the dying fire to say the rosary, for which we'll earn a patch from the National Council on Catholic Scouting.

The boys and I slept well Saturday night and woke early Sunday for breakfast with our friends. Jaime Brito and I made a breakfast of bacon, eggs and sausage - with fruit, cereal and anything left over from dinner that anyone wanted warmed up. Pat Swanson led a Scout's Own service at 8:30 and shared with us the poem "IF" by Rudyard Kipling. I was moved to tears - the poem was just what I needed. I believe God sends us messages in so many ways, and today he did so as I stood with my boys among friends at a camp out.

The boys are understandably wiped out. It was a good weekend.