Saturday night, we had the year end cub scout pack camp out. This year, we were camping out instead of just staying for dinner and awards.
We arrived at 4 pm to set up our tent. Bug helped and then ran off to play soccer with the other scouts. Even though it was cool and damp, he got hot playing soccer and took off his hoodie.
looking across the field toward the other tents. we were camped by the shelter 
Here is our tent! the tent is big enough to put our blow up beds and all our gear. I did good buying this one. One lesson learned is that I need to be on the long side and bug goes on the shorter side as the walls angle in more on the sides.
Scoutmaster Jim prepping the fire for later.
The men prepping the cooking fire.
Getting dinner of hot dogs, brats, metts, salads, fruit and chips. Yummy.
After dinner, we had park naturalist come and talk to the boys about different animals found in the park. We got to see a toad, a turtle, a snake, and different animal skins.
Bug was not happy I was taking pictures.
The box turtle. You can tell how old a turtle sis by counting the designs on the shell. Turtles live 50-70 years.
A black rat snake- not poisonous. This snakes lives 20-25 years.
after the naturalist was done, Father McCarthy came to celebrate Mass with the pack.
And then after Mass, Bug received his "God with Me" religious award. He as been working on it for 2 years (which is 1 year longer than it really should have taken).
After Mass, we headed over to the fire ring for our final award ceremony for the year and for the boys to move up official to the next level.
But, we had to sign first. The boys love the "shark" song
and the Turtle song:
My turtle swims sideways,
your turtle swims upside down,
my turtle swims sideways,
your turtle is DEAD.
The Bear all sitting together.
Awards for the Bears. Bug received another silver arrow point and his religious knot (to wear on his uniform instead of his religious medal).
Finally, we ended the night with a flag retirement ceremony. US Flags can not be thrown away, they are retired with reverence and honor. The flag is first taken apart and then honorably burned. One of scout masters read a poignant poem regarding the symbolism of the flag colors and the boys salute and as the colors are burned.
after some more play time, it was lights out at 9:30 pm. Since it was supposed to be about 38 degrees F overnight (about 3-5 degrees C), Bug slept in his sweat pants, heavy shirt, winter hat, one mummy sleeping bag (for cold weather), and a down sleeping bag over that. Bug was very toasty all night long. I was the only who needed one more layer, but I did sleep.
This morning, the siblings were up at 6:15 and by 7 am most everyone was up and putting away their tents and supplies (we were not supposed to be up until 9 am). The sun coming up was beautiful.
We had breakfast cleaned up camp and headed home by 9:30 am. I took a 2 hour nap today and really have not done too much, I think it is an early bedtime for both of us. Bug has 9 more days of school left this year.
We had a great time camping and I think we might do some backyard camping this summer. It should be exciting.
Love and hugs,
Deb
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