![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
2017 UM Scouting Retreat
Sep. 26th, 2017 01:05 pmIt happened! Praise God. Not more than a month ago, the retreat had one registered participant. The actual weekend had 35 people, staff and participants. We were worried, but God delivered.
Most of us limped in late on Friday. Nearly everybody had to dodge traffic around Indianapolis and the ongoing project to convert 37 into I-69. As a result, many were delayed until the sun was setting. The main program on Friday night was setting up tents in the dark. Still, the Scouts were cheerful about it and helped each other until it was done. Crackerbarrel (evening snack time) was rambunctious.
The weather was beautiful but tough- chilly and dewy at night, but brutally hot during the day. The Indicoso Camp staff was happy to provide extra coolers of cold water dotted about the camp. We had a few touches of heat exhaustion, but nothing that a little time in some A/C sipping water couldn't cure.
Art Collins cooked. Those who've seen me post pictures of the Winter Rendezvous are familiar with his work in the kitchen. With the smaller number (only 35, not 500), he was the only permanent kitchen staff for the weekend. Others helped as they had the opportunity (Byron Fritz spent a lot of his Saturday there), and the food was plentiful and delicious. Saturday's supper got an ovation (pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, peach cobbler, and pitchers of iced tea).
The Conference Camping staff ran the camp adventure events- a zipline, a giant swing (two people at a time, at roughly 30 feet up), and a small challenge course on the ground. They were friendly and professional, coaching nervous participants up the heights (and then off them).
My job was Crafts, and I was pleased at the numbers I saw. A few people showed up who hadn't signed up, but I had extras. Everybody who came to my corner had something nice to take home by the end, which was my goal.
Classes were conducted by Bill Jensen, Curt Hurley, Art Collins, Byron Fritz, and Chris Strain. A big "thank you" to them all- finding people to lead all the different classes was difficult. This was the meat of the retreat.
There were morning and evening devotions on Saturday, a campfire (with a flag retirement at the end) Saturday evening, and worship on Sunday morning (with communion). We sang often. After worship, we packed up camp. The Scouts pitched in to help sweep and put everything away.
Through it all, we got to know Scouts from the far corners of the state. Some came down from close by Chicago, while another group was from the Evansville area- nearly as far apart as you can get in Indiana. They were enthusiastic to be there, and we were glad to have them. By the end of the weekend, there was no question whether we'll hold another retreat next year.
Much thanks to all the Annual Conference members and staff who made it possible to hold this event at Camp Indicoso! The camp was lovely and so was the staff.
Special thanks to Curt Hurley, the Conference Scouting Coordinator and the leader of the retreat. Well done!
And now, the work begins for next year. Keep an eye out- We'll be planning through the winter, and there'll be news by spring.
Most of us limped in late on Friday. Nearly everybody had to dodge traffic around Indianapolis and the ongoing project to convert 37 into I-69. As a result, many were delayed until the sun was setting. The main program on Friday night was setting up tents in the dark. Still, the Scouts were cheerful about it and helped each other until it was done. Crackerbarrel (evening snack time) was rambunctious.
The weather was beautiful but tough- chilly and dewy at night, but brutally hot during the day. The Indicoso Camp staff was happy to provide extra coolers of cold water dotted about the camp. We had a few touches of heat exhaustion, but nothing that a little time in some A/C sipping water couldn't cure.
Art Collins cooked. Those who've seen me post pictures of the Winter Rendezvous are familiar with his work in the kitchen. With the smaller number (only 35, not 500), he was the only permanent kitchen staff for the weekend. Others helped as they had the opportunity (Byron Fritz spent a lot of his Saturday there), and the food was plentiful and delicious. Saturday's supper got an ovation (pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, peach cobbler, and pitchers of iced tea).
The Conference Camping staff ran the camp adventure events- a zipline, a giant swing (two people at a time, at roughly 30 feet up), and a small challenge course on the ground. They were friendly and professional, coaching nervous participants up the heights (and then off them).
My job was Crafts, and I was pleased at the numbers I saw. A few people showed up who hadn't signed up, but I had extras. Everybody who came to my corner had something nice to take home by the end, which was my goal.
Classes were conducted by Bill Jensen, Curt Hurley, Art Collins, Byron Fritz, and Chris Strain. A big "thank you" to them all- finding people to lead all the different classes was difficult. This was the meat of the retreat.
There were morning and evening devotions on Saturday, a campfire (with a flag retirement at the end) Saturday evening, and worship on Sunday morning (with communion). We sang often. After worship, we packed up camp. The Scouts pitched in to help sweep and put everything away.
Through it all, we got to know Scouts from the far corners of the state. Some came down from close by Chicago, while another group was from the Evansville area- nearly as far apart as you can get in Indiana. They were enthusiastic to be there, and we were glad to have them. By the end of the weekend, there was no question whether we'll hold another retreat next year.
Much thanks to all the Annual Conference members and staff who made it possible to hold this event at Camp Indicoso! The camp was lovely and so was the staff.
Special thanks to Curt Hurley, the Conference Scouting Coordinator and the leader of the retreat. Well done!
And now, the work begins for next year. Keep an eye out- We'll be planning through the winter, and there'll be news by spring.
