We're back....
and yet another year of summer camp is behind us. This was our 7th year at Camp Hansen. A week that started out with a heavy rain storm on Sunday night. The rain was so bad that the cooks had trouble getting to work because the road leading into camp was under water. But being scouts we are always prepared and not only did they get them into camp but breakfast had already been started and was on time.
This is the gate leading into camp.
There is a lake nearby and many are able to take fishing, motor boating, canoeing and kayaking merit badges. No swimming is allowed in the lake. The camp provides a swimming pool. It's cleaner and affords easier access for aquatic merit badges.
This is Richard, he is from Chapman, Kansas. The black head band signifies he is on silence as he was tapped for Golden Eagle. One leader and 4 boys made it to camp from Chapman this year. A first for all of them.
This is Cody, he is from Chapman also. Cody was registered to attend camp his first time last year and a few days before he was to leave the tornado hit. Of course mom and dad needed him at home and he understood. This year he finally made it to Camp Hansen and said he had a wonderful time. I've known and followed this young man since he first joined scouting as a Tiger. I hope to one day see him earn his Eagle rank.
Nature at it's best. I love the rolling hills and the native prairie grasses.
The native flowers are pretty too, even if many are considered noxious weeds. We have to teach the boys to stay away from this thistle. I couldn't resist taking the picture though.
The drums were sitting near the staff quarters garage so I lined them up in the
grass for a picture.
These two are brothers and Ranger Rex's sons. Rex was the camp director this year and his oldest son worked as the camp ranger. They were preparing a surprise for the campers and their parents.
I'm not sure what mom and dad thought but the campers loved it. I think they looked great and love that they are following in dad's footsteps. ("No, dad doesn't have a mohawk".)This was done on Friday and there is a big camp fire with skits and such to signify the end of the week and celebrate the weeks events.
The drums were sitting near the staff quarters garage so I lined them up in thegrass for a picture.
These two are brothers and Ranger Rex's sons. Rex was the camp director this year and his oldest son worked as the camp ranger. They were preparing a surprise for the campers and their parents. I'm not sure what mom and dad thought but the campers loved it. I think they looked great and love that they are following in dad's footsteps. ("No, dad doesn't have a mohawk".)This was done on Friday and there is a big camp fire with skits and such to signify the end of the week and celebrate the weeks events. 
This is the climbing tower. I never did make it over their to take pictures so I snapped this one from afar.
The heat here since returning home has been awful. We've topped 100 degrees with a 70% humidity. I just want to sleep when the weather is like this, but alas,
back to work tomorrow for me. For those of you experiencing high heat please, please remember to drink plenty of water. Remember sodas, teas and coffee don't count to prevent dehydration.
Hope you all had a fabulous week last week, I know I did!!
More later,
Tess
We're leaving for our working vacation tomorrow. We'll be in the woods at a Boy Scout camp for one week. I enjoy the other staff members, the boys, the activities and the communing with nature that takes place. It's fun teaching them and learning from them. 
In 2005 I made a book after camp to remember the fun had that year. I wanted it to look old and have lost of colors from nature. I chose to use scraps of leather. I did a lot of hand sewing and added lots of beads.
I used a lot of paint to muddy and dirty-up the pages. I then painted on photo paper before printing to it.
I added tags and stickers and other such things along the way.
