Friends Campout

This summer's Friends Campout was in the Fingerlakes region of New York again. We moved the campout weekend to July to accommodate Dylan's wedding, which is on our traditional 2nd weekend of August this year. The timing and location just happened to work out perfectly for us to stop by Palmyra for the Hill Cumorah Pageant and head out to Niagara Falls for a day before joining our friends at Watkins Glen for a couple nights of fun, frivolity, and campfire cooking.

 

Hill Cumorah Pageant

 

Early evening in the Sacred Grove

 The pageant was very fun. We got there early enough to make a visit to the Smith Farmhouse and the Sacred Grove before finding our seats for the show. We got awesome seats saved for us by the family of one of our ward members -- it's great to have connections! The pageant was spectacular, of course, but I got the biggest kick out of the pre-pageant festivities. The cast members all wander around through the crowd, so it's kind of like princess-spotting at Disneyland . . . everyone wants to get their photo with their favorite character! Naturally, so did we.

With Joseph Smith, aka Austin's college pal Christian Hancey.

Wicked King Noah and his wife saved us seats. Thanks!

Niagara Falls

 

We got a slow start the next morning after our late night at the pageant, so we knew we would only have time for one big encounter with the falls. I've always wanted to go on the Maid of the Mist boat ride, but some tourists at breakfast convinced us that the Cave of the Winds was the way to go. I'm so glad we listened to them. We got ponchos and sandals as part of our admission price, then rode an elevator down to a series of wooden decks right beneath the falls. Lucy put on a double poncho then got herself completely soaked, just as she had hoped.

Sweet matching sandals.

Still (temporarily) dry.

Not anymore!

Rickety walkways and rushing water.

Watkins Glen State Park

 

I thought this camp location was great. We had plenty of space and privacy, which is unusual for state park camping. We all had our own camp sites but we moved the tables together into one central location (Mumford's camp -- always the most popular) for meals and campfire and general hanging out. We had one good strong downpour on Saturday morning, which meant that the water was almost as spectacular as Niagara when we hiked up to the falls later that morning. In keeping with tradition, we did some swimming in a natural body of water. This year, we followed it up with a swim in a very nice pool at the campground.

Bruce on the bottom of a pile of boys in the hammock.

Hike up Watkins Glen

The whole crew.

Ready to attack a Ben & Jerry's Vermonster! 20 scoops plus toppings!

Not deterred by chilly Seneca Lake

Baseball Hall of Fame

Happy happy Austin.

 

Driving home Sunday afternoon, we realized that we would be driving within 15 miles of Cooperstown, NY. We made an impulsive but immediate decision to exit the highway so Austin could cross the Baseball Hall of Fame off his bucket list. Austin was hilarious, it was like he reverted to a fourteen-year-old kid as soon as we got inside. He was talking so fast trying to tell us about all the players and teams and stories that we could hardly understand him. He was simply giddy, rushing from place to place, trying to take it all in while helping his mostly bemused family understand why this place brought him so much joy. Best detour ever.

Philly Phanatic Phans.

Imparting important baseball facts to Gavin.

 

All in all, a fun and unforgettable family weekend.

Summer Camp

It's been a lovely summer so far.

 

Luna moth on the screen door

It's been a productive summer, too. For me, at least. I got an article revised and accepted for publication and an essay written for an edited collection. I'm making pretty good progress on a book chapter for my own project, too.

 

This in spite of the fact that neither Gavin nor Lucy was willing to do any kind of summer camp this year! I suggested Lotus Lake -- no go. No other options met with any better response. But I have work to do, so I can't just sit home with the kids, nagging them to get off their screens and go outside and exercise the dog and ride their bikes etc. etc.

 

The perfect solution:

 

Home Summer Camp!

 

Every day from 8:30 to 3:00, the kids do their own camp. They have to exercise, either by riding their bikes to swimming lessons, or by going for a run or a bike ride. They have to do some community service, which they've done every day by riding their bikes to the Senior Center to help serve and clean up lunch. Lucy has to exercise the dog, and Gavin has to do at least 1/2 hour of piano and/or trombone. After their "have-to" activities, they have the option of playing outside, biking to the pool, reading books, playing games, or doing something creative until one of their parents gets home at 3:00. During their "camp" day, they are not allowed to play video games or watch movies or text friends, and they are not allowed to fight. If they can manage all this, they each get paid $10/day.

 

So far, this has turned out to be my most brilliant parenting move ever.

 

They have forfeited only one day's pay for not getting along (an argument over who got the best spot at the sink doing dishes at the Senior Center). And they have managed to stay off their screens and devices every single day until 3:00. They have spent the summer riding their bikes all over town, romping through the woods and the river with the dog, reading books, and helping the elderly. Basically, they are doing everything kids should do in the summer, and all without me hassling them! Even better, they now have money to spend so they don't nag me for cash to buy creemees or the other little treats and treasures that kids think they so desperately need, despite all parental arguments to the contrary. I have been impressed, they have both mostly saved the money they have earned. And they have been careful about paying tithing.

 

I know this wouldn't be possible if we didn't live in the perfect spot on the edge of a safe little town, with my office a mile from home. I'm right nearby if they need me, which they mostly haven't. The one day that Gavin had a big bike crash and got all scraped up, I was home within 5 minutes of Lucy's phone call. A couple of times, they have biked up to Norwich to meet me for lunch, which has been lots of fun too. Letting them be on their own for most of the day is a bit terrifying and mom-guilt-inducing, but they have risen to the challenge and both have demonstrated great maturity and trustworthiness. Best summer ever -- for them and for me!