Page 43 - LIfesOuttakes2

butter for dessert. Once this, too, was gone and the camp was clean, it was time to head to Chief Rock for the opening ceremonies. We found an empty bench amongst the other troops. I had, by far, the biggest troop there. But my boys stood out in other ways as well. The other troops marched in, all spiffed up in their uniforms. My farm boys worked hard all summer and, though they always earned lots of merit badges, they still saw scout camp as a vacation from hours of moving pipe and hauling hay, and a uniform didn’t fit into the equation for them. As the campfire ceremony started, there was lots of yells for scout spirit. This was another thing my boys detested. We should have won that, being the biggest troop, but my boys just rolled their eyes if I suggested it. When it came to the fastest built fire, a tug of war, stick pulling, or anything taking strength or skill, they came out on top. But no matter how much I or the camp leaders encouraged them, the fancy uniforms and boisterous events didn’t go over well with my troop. Finally, as the sun was setting, everyone settled down, and the camp director started talking about rules. As 38