Helamans Encampment Part 2

To celebrate100 years of scouting in Alberta, our province had a huge scout camp at Camp Impessa.  Scouts and Ventures came from all over Alberta to participate in this camp.  Nolan's birthday fell after the cut off date, but since Spencer had to attend the camp, we begged and pleaded with the powers that be and they allowed Nolan to attend.

Man are we ever grateful they did, because this kid has the best time.  The camp was 6 days packed full of one adventure after another.

The theme was the camp was Helamans Stripling Warriors.  All the activities they participated in had a scriptural reference and theme attached to them.  Nolan loved zip lining, building bridges and towers, sewing a sheath for his pocket knife (which he used to cut himself repeatedly) and hiking.

Spencer is over the Ventures so he and Nolan were separated for most of the activities, including the hike.  Nolan had to do the easier hike with the Scouts. 

Nolan was pretty excited to have his dad there with him.  Nolan told me one of the best things about camp was that there was no mom to make him brush his teeth, wash, change his clothes or basically practice any personal hygiene.  And believe me, he didn't.  He wore the same pair of shorts the entire time and never washed his hands or brushed his teeth.  Gross to me, but heaven to him.

Every evening all 3000 young men gathered for a fireside and were treated to talks by General Authorities.  The last night they had a stake fireside and talked about their mothers.  Each mother had to write her son a letter.  It was special moment that caused lots of the ym to tear up including my little tender heart.

He came home tired, dirty and happy.  He came in the house threw his arms around me and told me how much he missed me.  I soaked it in as I don't think every camp will have that home coming.  I loved hearing the debriefing as he and Spencer talked about their exploits and was so grateful he was allow to go and have these experiences