ETM & CIA Camping - June 2015: Part 1

Our youth ministry season has drawn to a close once again. 

We usually end our season by camping. 

Now, if you've been following my blog at all, you will know that camping with me can be hazardous to your health.  : ) 

If it doesn't rain, then you may be consumed by black flies.  

Our last camping trip was to Achray in  September, 2014.  That actually proved to be a wonderful weekend.  

This year I booked Lac Philippe in Quebec.  

I tried to get Charleston Lake P.P. but was too late, and I always want a place where group camping will take tent trailers.....  Lac Philippe offered that, and was available.

It has been several years since we went to Lac Philippe.  

At 7:30 pm we arrived with 20ish of us.  

The bugs weren't too bad yet, (we really didn't know how they would be until we got there), but Christine decided to put on the bug spray anyway.  

While I registered us all, some of the group decided to check out the rocks.  

Ella decided to take a plunge. 

Don't try this at home...especially if you don't have rocks like these.  : ) 

Here's Parisa making sure she doesn't get any bugs on her. 

Getting onto our group site took a bit of doing.  

We drove the 3 KM to the site, only to find the gate locked that would let us onto the site.  

So I had to back up my vehicle with trailer attached, drive back to the gate and request the gate be opened.  

That took a bit of doing, but eventually they figured out they actually said trailers could go on this site.  

whew!!  : ) 

While I was gone, the group started to set up.  

Jeannine took along a large shelter, complete with screens. 

It was so big I didn't have to use the ones we brought along.  

This tent would be the home of Daniel, Jared, Thomas, and Dawson.  

Kevin needed to help put up Ella's tent.  

Thanks Kevin.  

Eventually he found time to put up his own tent.  

I wasted no time putting up my tent trailer.  

Aaron is a kindred spirit.  

He brought his trailer along too. 

Sweet.  

A nice small tent, with really neat luggage.  

A view of the site with most of the tents and trailers.  

We needed to move Jeannine's shelter to my trailer so we could eat under it.  

Jeannine said it didn't matter how it was placed because the zippers were on all sides of the shelter.  

Apparently they were not.  : ) 
They WERE on the other side of the shelter.  

So, we needed to turn it around.  

Ryan didn't find this very humourous, but we all did.  

Hey there 1/2 of Dawson.  

After setting up, we lit a fire and had hotdogs and marshmallows.  The bugs weren't bad at all, thankfully. 

It was cool out, however. 
Dawson and Daniel.  Buds.  

What, does the hotdog taste that bad Daniel.?
At about 11:30 pm ish, everyone sauntered off to bed.  
Before that we saw a couple of fairly large raccoons snooping around our kitchen area.  
I didn't sleep well because it was so cold, and because it was so windy out.  The trees were definitely singing.   

Before we knew it, it was 8:00 am. 
People were up, Aaron had made his coffee and people wanted breakfast. 
Well, that means I had to get up. 
Daniel and Dawson and Jared did something I didn't expect. 
They offered/wanted to cook breakfast.  
Sweet! 

Christine having her cup of flavoured coffee.  
She really needs that to get going in the morning.....believe me!!!  : ) 

As breakfast was being made, the group gathered around the camp fire to stay warm. 
The sun was out, but it was cool.  

Kevin cutting away a piece of wood so he could begin forming a wooden spoon using his knife.  

Hey there Thomas.  
Good morning!!!  

Aaron getting his camp stove going. 

Our food menu remained pretty much unchanged from previous times.  It works, why mess with it. : )  (Get it...mess....kitchen....bahahahaha)  
This morning it was once again the eggs within the bread.  Katrina is buttering the bread.  

Dawson is doing a great job of frying the egg/bread.  
Daniel and Jared are doing a great job of supervising.  : ) 

We also had oatmeal.  
Aaron provides the hot water for Elizabeth.  

With every meal comes dish duty.  

Always loved by those who partake.  : ) 

Ryan, Simon, William and Kyle did a great job. 

Awe, morning hug.  
How Sweet.  

As the dishes were being done, others relaxed in different ways. Daniel and Dawson played catch.  

Time to dry out the cool looking suitcase.  

Kevin whittling away at his spoon, and pointing that sharp knife at me....hmmmmm

Christine....where'd the fire go? 

This is Jared, Dawson, Thomas and Daniel's tent. 
A typical boys tent, as you can see.  Wasn't much better on the inside either. 
Notice by the door a small empty box of chocolate chip cookies......that will be significant later on.  

After breakfast clean up it was time to take a hike to the caves. But first, a comfort station break and I needed to check if the trail was open. 
While I did that, the group apparently posed for some pictures.  

I eventually returned with Simon.  
The staff here told me that the park was not completely open yet, and that we had to park at Parent Beach, which would have added another 40 minutes to the hike.  

I decided to park our 4 vehicles at the closed gate and stay behind, just in case we would be asked to move our vehicles. The rest of the group hiked onward.  

Dawson...tired already? 
You just started.  

Ella is ready to go.  

2.7 km from this starting point. 
5 km from parent beach.  

So the trail begins.  

Dawson found a new friend.  

Does your tongue move like that too Dawson? : ) 

Arriving at the caves.  

Some went in, others watched.  

The water level was high and the water was cold...or so I was told.  : )  

Gives you an idea of the size of the cave.
Dawson vs. Cave.    
I think this was the 1/2 way point.  

Hello Christina.  

Don't bump your head Elizabeth.  

Looks neat.  

Aaron now makes the cave look kind of small.  : ) 

Going into part 2 of the caves.  
The first part is fairly easy. 
The second part has much more water in it and you exit out of a small exit with lots of water.....not my idea of a good time at all!!!  : ) 

Everyone single file!!!

Aaron and Simon were the last ones in.  

Hello Dawson. 
You did it.  
I certainly wouldn't. 
Don't like small spaces like caves.  

Jared and Christina.  

Elizabeth

Hello Aaron

and Maddie

Kevin looks cold.  

Time to dry off and warm up before heading back.  

Another new friend.  

Here's where we left the vehicles.  

And the sign telling us not to enter.  

Oh, and Christine stuck around with me.  
We had 2.5 ish hours to kill so we chatted and she explored the area.  Thanks for staying back Christine. In August you'll get your chance to hike the caves.  

Once back it was time for lunch. 
Soup, sandwiches and juice.  

Prayer time before the meal.  

William is ready to eat.  

That shelter sure came in handy.  : )

Elizabeth likes the soup. 

Jeannine cutting the cheese.  

Elizabeth didn't learn these table manners from me.  : ) 

Some chose to eat in the shade, others in the sunshine.  

My little girl needed some first aid.   

Nice job Kevin.  and Thanks.



In the late afternoon Kris (Jeannine's other 1/2) arrived with some Kayaks.  
It was now time to head to the water and swim and kayak.  

Daniel, you need PADDLES to kayak....sheesh : ) 

See, Dawson has the right idea.  

Jared being held hostage.  

Hmmmmm...seems Daniel and Kyle have something to work out.  

Careful Jared.  He's not a beaver or turtle you have to whack.  

Christine heads out on the open water.  

There was a picnic table in the water. 

It was used well by our group.  

Time to make sand/mud castles. 

What are you contemplating Simon? 

Dawson taking a short break. 

It was windy, but the sun was really nice. 

There's a picnic table there somewhere.  

I was using Jeannine's camera for a bit, but the SD card filled up so I called out to her...
This was her reaction......  : ) 
I think I disturbed her fun.  : )

So ends part 1. 
Move on to part 2 to find out about that cookie container....