Camp Buck Toms 2009

Although the boys are at EFY in Kentucky this week, they spent the past week or so at Camp Buck Toms in eastern Tennessee at an LDS Encampment. There were 10 stakes that attended and I believe over 700 people were there. Pretty good for the South. Although Junior only needs to finish an Eagle Project to complete Scouts, he went on the campout anyway and took a photography class there which benefited me greatly since he came back with some great pictures. Nick is actually pretty close to just needing an Eagle Project too but I just have a feeling this will be their last "Scout camp" together and I am so glad it was an LDS one. The highlight of the whole thing was them getting to meet Bro. Gibson (it's Brother, not Elder, right?) who is currently the 1st counselor in the Young Men's General Presidency. Here he is with the boys.

Here are the t-shirts they got from the camp which I thought were really cool. The boys really liked them too.

I realized Junior may have gotten some pictures of the other scouts with Bro. Gibson that their moms might not have so I'll post those here so they can get them.

I finally got to see what the tents look like.

The boys had some really great leaders and friends go on this campout too. Here from left to right-- Alex, Matt and Bro. Fuller.

The only real mishap was on the way home, the boys' ride got a flat tire.

But if that hadn't happened, we never would have got this shot of Nick walking through Walmart in his pajamas. :-)

Here's the main meeting area where they got to listen to Bro. Gibson (and others) speak.

Junior really outdid himself on some of the photos and I'm going to post some of my favorites.

One of Nick's favorite expressions.

This is Brandyn lifting Alex. I guess it would've looked a little different if he'd been trying to lift Nick.

The boys said this man's name was Bro. Dollar. They really liked him although they don't know what his church position is and the photo they took with him was too blurry.

This is the tshirt our troop just had designed by an art professor in our ward--Bro. Deitrich. The boys really liked these shirts too.

Here's Bro. Richards (one of the YM counselors) cheating at camp. Or so the boys said--since his tent had this A/C unit! :-)

Another photo I loved by Junior. Look at that lonely leaf.

This was the side of a trailer one of the wards brought. They must have some $$!

Nick took a bugling class which he thoroughly enjoyed since he's been playing the trumpet for years.

Junior must have realized the photographer never is in the pictures so he probably had Nick take this one. Doesn't he look excited?

I have no idea what the scouts were doing here but I thought it was a good shot of the camp.

Here's another one of the YM counselors, Bro. Bass, being funny. Notice the "accident". :-)

Here's Nick (looking a bit possessed) with Bro. Tennyson, their Scoutmaster, in the background. He has been a great Scoutmaster despite being a very busy ENT doctor on Ft. Campbell.

I had to add this shot of Bro. Richards drinking this container full of Tang. The boys said (Laura, you can verify this because I'm not sure it's true) he filled the bottle halfway with Tang powder and the rest with water because he likes his Tang "chewy"?! Ugh! :-)

Hope that's not Poker. :-) Nick doesn't look awake enough to notice.

One more great shot by Junior.

Junior managed to get a video of the beginning of their aviation class which I hear was really boring but I just love hearing how the boys behave when they're all together. The second video was of Nick in the bugling class. He is a really good trumpet player but he'll rarely perform for anyone (other than with the whole band).

I just hope they take as many pictures at EFY this week!