More From Boy Camp 2009

But the place which you have selected for your camp,
though never so rough and grim,
begins at once to have its attractions,
and becomes a very centre of civilization to you:
"Home is home, be it never so homely."

~Henry David Thoreau

Setting the stage....
(Above is the boys' camp site, below are various scenes around the camp grounds.)

Levi found himself a magic spot and spent many hours here:

I love that my boys have a chance to return year after year to explore the same ground, get to know every rabbit trail and memorize the perfect hand-and-foot-holds on each big climbing rock. In short, to make this magical spot 'theirs' just as it is mine from my childhood.

While some things stay the same from year to year, much also evolves. Large rocks and logs change the landscape (especially at the falls) over the course of each winter. The first time up in the spring or early summer is a time of discovery. What stayed the same? What is new? The creek changes it's meandering path all year long, as the water rises and then lowers.

There are endless places for exploration, discovery, and adventure.

Leif could not have been more ecstatic

to join his brothers on the last day of camp.
He can't wait to be one of the 'big boys' next year!!

Luke, in his second year at 'boy camp,' was in seventh heaven.
He was so excited to be trail leader when I came up with Leif.