Happy birthday America!! Today is July 4, 2011, better known in the United States as Independence Day. All over the country there is a lot of celebration going on and Camp Geiger is no different. Throughout the day the patriotic spirit has been visible but it really began reaching its climax at dinner when the chant of “U-S-A!” began as troops went into the Dining Hall and everyone also enjoyed red, white and blue cake with little flags in each piece. To end the day there was also an amazing fireworks display, because whats a fourth of July celebration without them, put on in the Scout Craft valley by Camp Geiger’s own Bruce Bielby. In addition to our firework display, depending on which particular hill you happened to be standing on you could also enjoy the numerous other fireworks surrounding Camp.
Earlier today, before the valley was shut down in order to keep everyone away from the fireworks there was a lot of activity going on there. At Marvin's Hawk range both first timers and experienced throwers were having fun throwing the tomahawks during buckskin games, an activity that runs the entire length of the morning that allows campers to throw tomahawks and throwing knives at blocks of wood. Farther into the valley the first year trail program wasn't letting smaller class sizes affect them. They were still having lots of fun with kickball and a Scout Craft favorite called "ninja." Plus they were also busy working on the all important requirements that will allow these first time campers to have every requirement necessary for first class rank excluding one or two. Some of the skills they worked on today were building fires and handing cutting tools such as the hatchet and axe. Another important scouting skill that they covered today and everyday was both a flag raising at the beginning of class and a flag lowering at the end, by doing this the Scouts are able to practice saluting and standing at attention much like what occurs before breakfast and after supper in the Dining Hall. During the afternoon the smaller classes were a great benefit to those taking classes such as Cooking Merit Badge, because some of the instructors are teaming up to provide two badges in the one hour blocks since there are a few open classes, this keeps both kids and instructors busy which is always a good thing.
With the closing of tonight's blog I wish all of you a safe and happy Fourth Of July along with one final happy birthday to our great country. Additionally I would like to encourage everyone to continue following Camp Geiger Blogspot and to spread the word so that others can also keep up to date with all of the great things going on here at Camp Geiger.
