Helaman's Encampment celebrated 100 years of LDS Boy Scouting in Alberta. In case you are wondering, that is longer than Scouting has been around in the US. The first Scout group was 4 boys under the direction of the uncle of N. Eldon Tanner. Elder Tanner was not one of the original 4 boys, but joined the group about a year later after reaching the age of 12.
As we all entered camp, we were greeted by our guide and led to our camp site. Our Ward group was 21 boys and 7 leaders (including volunteers). Aaronic Priesthood groups from all across Alberta, and some from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories were in attendance. There was even one young man from a town called Slave Lake who traveled on his own to be there. Slave lake suffered a devastating fire that burned more than half the town to the ground less than one month before the camp. This YM lost his home and all his camping gear in the fire, and had to borrow replacement gear for the encampment.
Here is a view of Table Top Mountain, the destination of one of the Venturer Hikes.
Our boys did this hike on the second day in camp. The top of the mountain has a place similar to the diving board on top of Half Dome in Yosemite.
Here is the view out of the front gate of the encampment:
The southern end of Beaver Mines Lake where all the boys, Scouts and Venturers, had water activities. One of our leaders even caught a couple of fish (really more like bait than fish).
The local flora.
Our Scouts getting ready for the canoe activity. One of the boys was afraid of the water (does not know how to swim), but went with one of the instructors. After another couple of boys capsized, the instructor left our boy alone and told him to get back to shore on his own. He did, and won the "scout-of-the-day" award.
Our scouts on their lashed tower, the tallest one built in camp that week.
Our venturers on their "Nephi" boat preparing to "Cross the Great Waters."
No camp is complete without a stick pull or two.
Our Scouts making sheaths for the knives they were given at the encampment. On a lighter note, on the second day, at the daily fireside, the announcement was made for the boys to quit cutting their fingers and put the knives away because the medical unit had used ALL the sutures, and ALL the super glue, and ALL the band aids they had planned to use for the entire week. Not 30 seconds later, one of our boys was on his way to the med tent with a cut on his thumb. His defence? at least it was not his finger.
We enjoyed the fireside speakers every night, and also enjoyed the presentation of the colors (flag raising) ceremonies with the Mountie. To her left is "Tracker", the camp bear chaser. He was busy every night chasing 3 to 4 bears out of camp, and one night had to chase a mountain lion away too.
Helaman had 2000 strippling warriors. We had 2500 Aaronic Priesthood holders, and more than 500 leaders. It truly was an impressive sight, and also great to know that each boy was not alone. There are others in the province that share the gospel, and the priesthood. We were able to see other boys that had once lived in our ward and since moved on to other places.
Here are some of our group with "Big Ed" Mulatani. Ed played with the Rick's College Vikings, the Arizona Sun Devils, and the Baltimore Ravens. He told some stories about his career, Home Teaching, and how his mother taught him the gospel. He also sang "I am a Child of God" and "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" strumming on his ukelele. We also heard from Elder Melchin of the 70, and Elder Gifford Nielson (former BYU and Houston Oiler player) also from the 70. The former General YM Pres and the current General YM Pres also spoke to us at firesides. We were spiritually fed, very well too, I might say.
As we all entered camp, we were greeted by our guide and led to our camp site. Our Ward group was 21 boys and 7 leaders (including volunteers). Aaronic Priesthood groups from all across Alberta, and some from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories were in attendance. There was even one young man from a town called Slave Lake who traveled on his own to be there. Slave lake suffered a devastating fire that burned more than half the town to the ground less than one month before the camp. This YM lost his home and all his camping gear in the fire, and had to borrow replacement gear for the encampment.Here is a view of Table Top Mountain, the destination of one of the Venturer Hikes.
Our boys did this hike on the second day in camp. The top of the mountain has a place similar to the diving board on top of Half Dome in Yosemite.Here is the view out of the front gate of the encampment:
The southern end of Beaver Mines Lake where all the boys, Scouts and Venturers, had water activities. One of our leaders even caught a couple of fish (really more like bait than fish).
The local flora.
Our Scouts getting ready for the canoe activity. One of the boys was afraid of the water (does not know how to swim), but went with one of the instructors. After another couple of boys capsized, the instructor left our boy alone and told him to get back to shore on his own. He did, and won the "scout-of-the-day" award.
Our scouts on their lashed tower, the tallest one built in camp that week.
Our venturers on their "Nephi" boat preparing to "Cross the Great Waters."
No camp is complete without a stick pull or two.
Our Scouts making sheaths for the knives they were given at the encampment. On a lighter note, on the second day, at the daily fireside, the announcement was made for the boys to quit cutting their fingers and put the knives away because the medical unit had used ALL the sutures, and ALL the super glue, and ALL the band aids they had planned to use for the entire week. Not 30 seconds later, one of our boys was on his way to the med tent with a cut on his thumb. His defence? at least it was not his finger.
We enjoyed the fireside speakers every night, and also enjoyed the presentation of the colors (flag raising) ceremonies with the Mountie. To her left is "Tracker", the camp bear chaser. He was busy every night chasing 3 to 4 bears out of camp, and one night had to chase a mountain lion away too.
Helaman had 2000 strippling warriors. We had 2500 Aaronic Priesthood holders, and more than 500 leaders. It truly was an impressive sight, and also great to know that each boy was not alone. There are others in the province that share the gospel, and the priesthood. We were able to see other boys that had once lived in our ward and since moved on to other places.
Here are some of our group with "Big Ed" Mulatani. Ed played with the Rick's College Vikings, the Arizona Sun Devils, and the Baltimore Ravens. He told some stories about his career, Home Teaching, and how his mother taught him the gospel. He also sang "I am a Child of God" and "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" strumming on his ukelele. We also heard from Elder Melchin of the 70, and Elder Gifford Nielson (former BYU and Houston Oiler player) also from the 70. The former General YM Pres and the current General YM Pres also spoke to us at firesides. We were spiritually fed, very well too, I might say.I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the opportunity to be at camp with my sons and partake of the marvelous spirit of camp and priesthood. Joseph and Samuel are leaders of the YM in our Ward, and I am glad to be their father.
0 comments:
Post a Comment