Off to 6th Grade Camp!

  
I’m off to 6th grade camp with about 87 students from my daughter’s elementary school. This is the first camp our school has done in four years. My son’s (who is currently in 10th grade) class was the first year our school didn’t do it because one teacher was the hold out. We even had replacement teachers willing to take her spot but that wasn’t good enough. That killed 6th grade camp until this year. The holdout teacher is now teaching 4th grade, we have new 6th grade teachers and magically we have 6th grade camp this year. 

Ok, it wasn’t magic. I do have to take my hat off to all the poor parents that fought for 6th grade camp to return the past four years. I thought it was gone forever. 

I’ve been to about seven Boy Scout camps over the past seven years, plus a few Cub Scout and Girl Scout day camps (as a volunteer staff member). I’m use to camping, camp good, and uncomfortable beds.

So today, I’m headed on a school bus, sitting next to a Boy Scout (he is in a different troop from than the one I lead). I’ve asked him ten questions and he has nodded seven times to answer my questions, and the other three answers were three words or less. I was also able to yell at the kids to “Shut up and listen to the bus driver!”, within the first five minutes of boarding the bus. I like to set the standard quickly that I will break you down and crush your spirit. Honestly, I’m not that bad once you get to know me. I just want to make sure the students know they can’t walk all over me; I’m not the softy. I like to have fun but let’s not be reckless, dangerous, or stupid about it. There is a time to shut up and listen and a time to laugh.

It should be a very interesting experience. We have great weather for the next three days and the student are excited. The parents and school teachers also seem excited. I’ll let you know how things turn out.