Part 1 - Youth Group Camping - Charleston Lake Sept 2010

I like camping.  My family, for the most part, does too.  I'm a self confessed tent trailer camper, but I'm ok with that, so don't even try to taunt me with the, "You're only a real camper if. . . " stuff.  : ) 

I also like taking our church youth group camping whenever possible. The older group goes in the spring and the older and younger group go together in the fall.  I like camping with the youth group for many reasons.  First and foremost, it's a great way to get to know them in a shorter time span. This group loves to camp and that makes it a lot more fun as well. This time around, there were just so many good pictures that I've broken this entry into two parts.  Have fun experiencing our weekend get away:  

We always begin at Calvin CRC by loading up the vehicles with stuff.   Here are Kevin and Jeff covering my box trailer with a tarp.   

Here is the group posing before we leave.  Thanks to the adult leaders who came along. 

Here is Annette driving in front of our van.  You can always tell where she is with that large white bus of theirs.  

Now you need to know something about Annette.  She loves camping now too, thanks to yours truly introducing her to it.  She often takes her kids camping during the summer now, but I think has yet to get John to go....maybe some day?  She often goes camping with the youth group because her children are in it.  One thing you aren't supposed to do, however, is talk to Annette while driving because she is easily distracted and forgets where to go........  

We were supposed to take the 417 to the 416 to the 401, etc. However, when we got to the 417/416 cut off Annette didn't take the turn off.  Jeff and I thought that maybe she wanted to go through Carleton Place and head through Smith Falls.  Annette soon pulled off the 417 and sheepishly approached my van and admitted she missed the turn off.  I don't even think she was talking to anyone........we ended up going through Carleton Place  (sorry about that Tammy)......and heading through Smith Falls.  

Kevin often comes camping with us as a youth leader.  He loves camping, but as you can see, he needs to get ready for it by resting up first.  

It seems that there were some strange people in Annette's van.  I'm not surprised it was Fontana and Leah.....

GPS is a good thing, most of the time........  As we traveled closer to Charleston Lake, my GPS told me a way to avoid Athens.  Turns out it was on a farm road complete with farm machinery.  A nice road to drive on, actually.  I've been on worse becuase of my GPS. 

Eventually we arrived at Charleston Lake Provincial Park, registered,  and moved into our group campsite.  Apparently we pre-empted Kemptville CRC who also wanted this group campsite because it takes tent trailers.  You snooze, you loose  : )  

After setting up our tents in the dark, it was time to get the fire going.  Here is Jeff making some kindling for the fire.  

Now a good fire is only as good as the wood that one uses.  On this trip, the wood was less than stellar.  It took several tries, and about 1 hour to get the fire going.  Jeff and Kevin did a great job with the wood that we were using.  

Here's Kevin and Jeff working on the fire.  They were frustrated to say the least.  We were mostly patient....  : ) 

Hmmmm....still not lit......

Where there's smoke, there's fire.  Eventually it was lit and we all enjoyed a short camp fire experience before it was time for bed.  

Everyone loves camp fire time.  A time to talk together and laugh together. 

Besides fire time, some of the group like to walk off and do strange things.  This was certainly interesting.  No room for you Megan?  Oh I get it, you were all star gazing.....

Eventually it was time for bed.  Nice to see that some in the group decided to actually brush their teeth.   

It was a cold night, crisp evening for sleeping and it took me a while to get to sleep because some girls who will remain nameless, but were older, decided to yell and scream and talk for about 1/2 longer than they should have.  

Eventually morning came and I was awoken by singing emanating from the vocal cords of Annette.  I can't exactly say I woke up to the sound of an Angelic voice, but it was ok  : )  Many in the group were already up before me, and I actually got up at 7:30 am.  Very unusual for a non morning person like myself, but I figured if we were going to have a good full day, I might as well get breakfast going.  Many had already had coffee or hot chocolate to warm themselves.  

Breakfast consisted of a camping staple.....bacon and eggs.  Yummy!  I love to cook when camping, but for some reason have no desire to do so when at home.  Go figure.  

Thankfully I wasn't the only one doing the cooking.  Several other adults pitched in to help as well. Thanks a bunch Annette, Cheryl and Jeff.  

Hmmmm, seems that the youth were very interested in eating, but not so much when it came to cooking..... but, maybe that was a good thing  : ).  

Here Tori looks happy as she's preparing to receive her eggs, but Olivia doesn't.  Maybe she didn't get a good night's sleep?

Isn't that just amazing?  

Eggs over easy by yours truly.  

Mine were the most requested eggs, not to brag or anything.  

Here's the OLDER group chillin' together for breakfast.  A bit cliquey if you ask me.  

After breakfast several in the group killed time going back to the days of cavemen......sticks, sticks, sticks......

and more sticks.....

and Kevin teaching Jeannine something about Karate, or Martial Arts, or something like that.....

and more stick battles.......

This shot reminds me of mars for some reason....all those tents look the same.....

While the youth were practicing their caveman skills, Jeannine and Melanie were taking advantage of the water tap and washing their face, etc.  

Part of our weekend usually involves a hike.  Here we are walking out of our group campsite and towards the hiking trails.  

It seems that some in the group don't like walking.  Tobie was rather light actually.....

Olivia was not......   : ) 

Sorry, I couldn't resist that for the camera. 

Kevin and I have a standing policy that we have to get Megan  at least once during every CIA event or meeting we hold with a wet willy......  I got her here, and Kevin made sure to get her a bit later on.  

It seems that Chris got tired too, and Jacob was kind enough to give him a piggy back....though I don't think it lasted more than 10 steps.   

Our first trail was Hemlock Ridge.  

Here is Hannah faking being scared on a cliff edge.  Not very convincing Hannah.....

This is the way we hike on trails, hike on trails, hike on trails, so early in the morning.....

Annette, myself and Melanie assessing our YP who wanted to go off the beaten path for a time.  

On the trail we found a bit of a cliff and Kevin was not afraid to use a tree to help him climb up it.  

He helped Annette with some climbing technique as well.  

Annette did very well with Kevin's pointers.  

Olivia on the other hand......

Down is sometimes harder than going up.  
Here Kevin makes it look easy.  

Annette also did a great job descending.  

I don't like heights, so I didn't do well at all.  : ( 

William found this huge crevasse.  We double checked to see if we had lost anyone before we left the area.    

Tori and Sarah having fun during the hike.  

After Hemlock Ridge it was Beech Woods Trail.  MOST of us tackled this trail as well, but a few stayed back at this trail sign to rest and recover.  

After this trail, we took a bit of time to rest before we hiked back to our campsite.  

Seems Hannah didn't expend enough energy during the hike.  
Catch that football Hannah....

Hmmmm, I'm not sure what exactly Hannah was up to, or maybe should I say down to, here.  Interesting.  

Oh, such a nice picture of friends enjoying some free time.  

Hey, who's foot is that anyway?  Two guesses!  : )

After the hike it was time for lunch.  Soup, soup, and more soup.  

Here Jeannine cooks and William gives pointers.  

Melanie seems to be wondering how these camp stoves work.  

Rosy was nice enough to get more water for us.  It looks heavy....  : )  

If you want to know more about how we faired at water keep away, tackle duck duck goose, and the injuries that were inflicted on me during these events, go to the Part 2 entry..........