First Day Down

  Our first full day at Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Camp and we started the day by jumping up, cleaning up, and heading to breakfast.  Once our stomachs were full with biscuits, bacon, and eggs.  Then it was time for flag raising.  A very important part of our tradition at camp is raising the American, North Carolina, and 4-H flags.  Once that is done it is a signal to head a variety of directions for our daily activities.

  First up, for our youngest campers there was crafts and pool.  Who doesn't want to jump into that refreshing water when your morning starts around 80 degrees?  Those crafting were using paper plates to make a very decorative flying saucers.  While our younger campers were enjoying those activities the older youth were at the horses and enjoying the boulder wall.  The adventurers and Trekkers were working on teams courses, ground initiatives and canoes.
  Needless to say our campers worked up quite an appetite.  So they were ready when lunch came around and even happier when they found out lunch was pizza.  To go with it was a veggie tray that included carrots and celery for everyone.
  After lunch our youth got a chance to rest before heading back out in the heat and working their way through their list.  For the younger campers Archery, boulder wall, Horses, and crafts were on the agenda.  For the older youth the beaver hike, and pool were on tap.  The trekkers, our oldest campers, had the opportunity to work on the teams course.

  During the middle of the afternoon all the youth had the opportunity to take part in camp store.  There they could buy ice cream,  a drink, and or a snack to refresh their afternoon.  Many of them enjoyed the choices and the opportunity to enjoy some down time and talk with friends.
  After the days activities were completed it was time for dinner. Turkey tacos graced the tables and quickly found a home in our campers stomachs.  To go with it was corn as well as chips and salsa.  Needless to say our campers deserved a nap after all of that, instead we had flag lowering and the announcement of the cleanest cabin.  The winner receives the coveted golden faucet and second place received the silver toilet seat.  These are highly sought awards among the campers and they work hard to earn them.
  After dinner the campers had an evening full of activities.  For our younger campers they hit the water carnival trail with slip and slides, lake time, and pool time.  One group went to the pioneer cabin for old fashioned s'mores and games.  The adventurers worked on compass reading and the Trekkers were on the climbing wall doing a fantastic job of scaling that large structure.  Mother Nature decided to throw a bit of a fit and a small thunderstorm moved everyone to the rec hall for camp songs, snack, and music.  After a full day our campers made it back to the cabins, showered and got ready for bed.  What a day and there are still more adventures ahead.  Stay tuned for tomorrow.