Where did the time go?

 It is Friday, 5th Session of camping at Camp Geiger. How did that even happen? Of course, week after week, but this year time has flown by.

That means that next week is the last week for Scouts BSA camping, and it is the largest week at camp. Scouts-wise. Being the 6th Week, it is also the second co-ed week at camp.

I am not going to lie; it has not been the happiest year for me. It has been a great year, but I am certainly not going to use this space to go all unicorns, gumdrops and glitter. It has been great in so many ways, that it is likely the operator of the blog that is struggling. Let me recount.

We had one week (3rd) of amazing weather, not in the shelters even one time (not counting the storm drill). It was also fairly pleasant, with very moderate temperatures. The rest of the weeks have had what you would expect, though not necessarily when you would expect it. First and Second Sessions saw heat that is what you would expect in mid to late July, which is planning a comeback for the finale. We saw torrents of rain that modified Mic-O-Say activities, mostly on Thursday nights.

So why not the happiest of years? I am getting older, and the 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM in the store is starting to wear on me a bit. Not complaining, it really isn't in the job description, except the part of completing tasks, that I can't walk away from, nor practically delegate. Besides, I am a member of the best Scout Camp staff in the country and have a standard to uphold.

To be clear, I have had a great time this year. Scout Camp is where I get six weeks, plus Cub and Webelos Camps, to shine, and be a person that I am normally not. I have been able to renew friendships, develop deeper relationships with old friends, and learn how to be a better Scout leader, and a better person. Working in the store forces me to be a little more outgoing, and the result is nearly always positive.

New leadership at camp, with a 1st year Camp Director, Program Director, and Ranger. While Jim and Andrew (CD and PD) are long time Geiger Staffers, the new positions allowed them to step out of "what we have always done", to implement some ideas that they have had. As to the Ranger, well, Evan is not John, and that is not a bad, or good thing. He is Evan, and like John, has the safety, and function of the camp first and foremost in his mind in assigning tasks, and working to keep everyone as safe as possible. His methods are different, just as each of us are different.

I have had the best possible staff I could ask for. Their attention to detail on the drawers has been a very nice surprise. I won't name them directly, but those that have been in the store know who they are.

I have also been kept sane in what has been a crazy whirlwind of a summer that is nearly over (again, how is that possible?!), by some that I consider true friends. Larry, and Fred. Of course, there are others, but on the sanity part, without them, I am not sure I would still be here. Don't believe me? Ask my wife. 

I have not kept up on the blog like I had hoped, again, this summer has been whacked. It has been an honor, and a pleasure to serve the campers of Camp Geiger for the 2022 season. Customer service is the goal for us as a staff, and I can only say that I have "done my best" to live up to that goal.

Feel free to comment, and while the upcoming blogs will slow, they will not stop. I have plenty to say about the experience of Camp Geiger, and its extension into the community, and, due to the wide variety of Troops attending, the nation.

Happy camping, and...

Be careful on the trails

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