Flounder

Brandy will retire her camp name of Flounder on Friday during the closing ceremony at Silver Springs II Day Camp. What that means is she has volunteered as a program aide at this day camp for the past six summers. The first two years a girl must learn basic outdoor skills and take core program aide training before branching out to a speciality. Brandy has volunteered with canoes before becoming lifeguard. She will be head lifeguard this year as a 6th year. The retirement ceremony even comes with graduation caps. It will be the first time Brandy dons a graduation cap. When a name is retired it means no other camper can ever have that camp name at Silver Springs II can. This camp has been in San Jacinto Council for the last 32 years. So there is a lot of history that involves this camp in our council. The picture below is Brandy's name that appears on the banner.

Adventures of a Road Trip

Kyle is on a road trip to Alaska for his summer vacation. He left Houston with Bear and Salty on June 9 headed north to Canada. Dad retired a year ago in May and had wanted to take this trip as long as I can remember. The rest of us will fly to Anchorage to meet them on June 27. By what we hear in emails and phone calls, the trip is a true adventure for both of them. Kyle is totally proud of himself as he has a stamp in his passport that Brandy and his parents don't have!

Mike and I let Kyle go as we know this is a once in a lifetime experience that he will share with only Bear. And I know he will be telling stories of this summer for the rest of his life. And besides he has a lot to write about next year at school. And he spotted a bear by the side of the rode while going down the Alaskan Highway in Canada.

Adventures of a Lifetime

Bear and Kyle at Meade Glacier 40 miles SE of Skagway

Getting ready to ride the chopper to the glacier.

Leopold Farm in Minnestoa - one of the first

conservation farm in the United States dating

back to the early 1900's.

On the Alaska Highway in Canada.

Summer

Brandy has been working two jobs since Memorial Day Weekend. She lifeguards for the summer league in our neighborhood. This is the team she has swam for since the fourth grade - getting paid to be at swim practice and meets on Saturdays what a concept. The second job is lifeguarding also but for a pool management company at a subdivision pool. She was made an assistant manager this year.

Kyle is having the adventure of a lifetime. But more about that in a later entry.

Silver Springs II Day Camp starts on Monday, June 21. Brandy has earned the right to retire her camp name after spending the last six years as a program aide. Her camp name is Flounder and yes she has served in the positions of canoeing and lifeguard - to no one's surprise. June 25 will be the closing of camp and my last year as Director. Eight years at this camp and serving the last three as director I believe it is time to pass the torch.