Summer Camp Week 6: Campfire Cookout

Falcons go swimming after the storm. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Coyotes take a break and try out their marshmallow roasting skills. Not pictured: sink full of dirty dishes.

We saw an entirely new side of our Red Rockers when it came to our Campfire Cookout. Beginning with the Coyotes, we welcomed special guests Peter and Paul who showed us how to light a fire using ferro-sticks and a fire bow. Everyone took turns lighting last year’s cattails and dry grasses with the ferro-sticks, with Hayden getting a big burst of flame, and Dawson hard at work on the fire bow.

When it comes to lighting campfires, there are two types of people in this world: those with patience, and those who freeze.

Between the pancakes and the food fights, the Ravens took to the fire-building component like a fish to water, and thanks to Charlie and Liam, by the end of their time with the fire they had a blaze going that was the envy of all the other teams. In fact, it burned so big and so hot that when the Falcons arrived the next evening, they weren’t provided with any matches or ferro-sticks at all, and instead were able to light their own fires using the embers left over from the Ravens.

"Be careful with these ferro-sticks." "Honestly, this is one of the safer weeks," said Hayden.

Skies soon turned cloudy though, and we watched as lightning struck out over the water amid rumbles of thunder, with a downpour threatening, and when a bolt struck out across the harbour it was a mad dash into the shop to take shelter from the passing storm. Falcons kept busy with the ‘hot marshmallow’ game, (where Olivia A. and Ruthie soon learned how sticky it could be!) and when the rains passed everyone was dry (except for Jesse), and we all headed down to the beach for a swim.

Abby loves fried sardines, it seems.

Thunder, lightning, friends, fire, and chocolate. That's as good as it gets.

For the Foxes, they were kept busy making their own fires, and found that after the heavy rain parts of the beach had turned to quicksand, and discovered that if they ran fast enough they could make their way across it without sinking, a discovery which was put to great use, while the boys worked away on their fort, which is still there today!

We make a mean mess, and a meaner lemonade.

On the cooking side of things, the Red Rock kitchen was a wild and crazy mess as potatoes were cut and peeled, carrots were sliced, fish was fried, lemons were squeezed for lemonade, pancakes were prepared, gravy was stirred, eggs were boiled, and so much more in preparation for our sea-side meals. It just seems that everything tastes better when cooked over a fire beside the ocean, and I think that all our Red Rockers would agree. Everyone learned of the treasure that is Boston-creme marshmallows, too.

Kennedy appeared to be slightly braver than Rorie. Serena took it all in stride.

It was a fun and relaxing time, but everyone knew that, just like any other week, points were on the line, being scored this week through fire skills, cooking skills, and teamwork and cohesion. And while cooking skills were less than refined, each group managed to muddle their way through until the end, however, it was the Foxes who made a comeback and claimed the first place victory, after being shut out from a win since Week 1.

"There's sand in this." "Did you expect otherwise?"

Markus enjoying the wonders of a shirt stuffed full with carrots.

The Falcons, before the storm.

The Falcons, during the storm, acting slightly less reserved.

We will be back to our normal scoring and postings, once this weekend's camp-out concludes and points can be accurately tallied.

Yours in adventure,

​Nathan and Jesse.