Yawgoog Day 2

Between my anxiety, replaying the accident over and over in my head, and the scouts screaming until well after midnight, I got absolutely no sleep last night. At one point, some of the scouts were shouting the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” at such a piercing level I thought my eardrums might shatter. The Scoutmaster reprimanded them and they quieted down for maybe three minutes before starting in with something else just as loud. Once the scouts were replaced by the usually calming cicadas, I did find myself drifting occasionally, but each time, I slammed again into the guard rail, adrenaline coursing through me. It was a rough night.

When I finally got up, I wandered down to the pond—maybe ten steps from my tent—to have a few quiet and peaceful moments alone before joining the others and confronting reality. I sat down on the rock that leads down to the water and noticed two huge turtles in the water. They were just hanging out watching me as I watched them.

Since camp doesn’t officially start until this evening, the scouts were supposed to make breakfast. However, it was severally delayed because whoever purchased the food bought regular pancake mix—mix that requires milk and eggs—instead of the mix that simply requires water. While someone went to buy milk, the scouts made scrambled eggs. Too many scrambled eggs, because when the milk finally arrived they realized they didn’t set aside any eggs for the pancakes. By then it was too late to go back to the store so we had pop tarts for breakfast and then the scouts started grilling burgers and hot dogs for lunch. Thankfully, there were impossible burgers as well which I am eating as I tap this out.

During the time between the breakfast debacle and eating lunch, B, the woman who picked us up yesterday, was making a run into town to pick up coffee for the adults and other supplies for the troop. G, one of the other mom leaders, and I accompanied her. I desperately needed ear plugs. Sadly, CVS was sold out of the silicone ear plugs I generally use. But out of desperation I got a different kind. I figure even if they aren’t as effective as what I usually buy, something has to be better than nothing.

This afternoon was not terribly exciting, which was good. I needed something low key. Following lunch, we had a tour of the camp so the scouts would know where to report tomorrow for their merit badge sessions. The tour guide was very soft spoken and did not project her voice so I missed much of what she said. But I know the important things: where and when I can swim and where the dining hall is. Halfway through the tour we stopped so some of the scouts could be swim tested. Most of us were tested last month. Today was for the scouts who failed in June and wanted another shot and those who missed the test.

Next, we all had to change into uniforms for pictures. Individual pictures were followed by a troop photo. However, scouts here with a parent or sibling took pictures with their family members instead of individually. The pictures seemed to take forever and when they were finished we completed our tour. I certainly got a decent amount of exercise today walking around.

The camp is comprised of three campgrounds—Sandy Beach, Medicine Bow, and Three Point—each of which has multiple campsites. Years ago, my father and brother always stayed at Sandy Beach. We are at Three Point. The grounds are beautiful. Trees are everywhere so shade is easy to find and the pond is at the center. There is a hint of pine in the air especially in the morning.

By dinner time I was famished. But before we could eat, they gave us so many instructions regarding protocol at the waterfront, merit badge programming, and proper dinner etiquette that I’ll be lucky if I remember half of it. The food was surprisingly good and served family style which I appreciated. Pulled pork—almost as good as Kati’s but not quite—corn, and salad. Dessert was chocolate cake with white icing from the bakery on camp grounds.

The sunset was pretty as it dipped behind the trees ringing the pond. The sky was tinted pink while the scouts gathered for a Three Point campfire.

Back at the campsite, G3 came to find me and asked me to sit on the rock by the pond with him. We talked for a bit then sat watching the sky, looking at the stars. It was the best part of the day. The fact that G3 is surrounded by friends and he still wanted to spend time with me made my heart feel full.