Adventures in Camping….
Estimated time of arrival: 2:00pm
Actual time of arrival: 7:30pm
We went camping in High River this weekend and although it was short, I always find these good indicators of what we need to be aware of.
1. The boys did not pack a coat or a sweater so in the evening they were a bit chilly
2. We need to buy more sleeping bags. I could only find 3. Somehow 2 others have magically disappeared.
3. We need to buy flashlights and a new lamp.
4. We need to buy air mattresses that don’t need to be pumped up. The ones that you just hook up to your car and boom, badda, bing they inflate within 3 min.
5. Make sure to pack sandals and running shoes for each of the kids and to pack 2 pairs of shoes for Luke.
This was a ward camp and I do feel sorry for the people who were by our tent. My kids decided to pretend to be werewolves and howl for an hour from 10pm - 11pm. They got all the other kids from the other tents to howl along with them.
Our dinner was delicious! I picked up some wild salmon with dill, lemon, fresh ground salt & pepper. New york steak, whipped potato boats with cheese, wild rice and corn. It was very yummy. I loved having salmon cooked over a fire. It was amazing! Same with the steak. The flavors were delicious!
The camp fire part just had a few skits, no singing and no s’mores, just roasting marshmallows. When I was trying to put the 4 kids to bed Luke kept escaping from the tent and racing off into the dark. I’d have to run out and go find him. This happened 6 times. I wasn’t impressed towards the end. It’s hard to find a 2 year old in the dark.
I left at 11pm with Luke cuz we didn’t have enough sleeping bags and we didn’t bring the air mattresses, since it was only 15 min from home, Luke and I slept in a nice comfy bed instead of on the ground in a tent. Ryan stayed with the kids. He had a blast howling with them and playing with them in the tent. Really, truly… He’s a great dad.
In the morning I quickly prepped the scavenger hunt then went back for breakfast at 8:30am. I ran around hiding all the clues. My children were following me and pulling the clues out and giving them back to me. I freaked, sent them off to play and uttered threats so they wouldn’t take anymore out. I then had to reposition the ones they took out.
After breakfast the kids did the scavenger/treasure hunt and I entertained the adult group with stories of the kids. Everyone was in agreement that I needed Nanny 911.
We packed up then went home. I was very happy I only had to do a skit and a scavenger hunt. The camp was ok, but nothing like the camp I planned. I also had a higher turn out. This weekend there was only 7 families that came. Maybe 50 people. I had 150 people come to the camp I planned. Ryan and I were talking about the difference. It’s the little things. Like an aggressive marketing plan, a better date (choose one at the end of August, more people will be around), everything else boils down to details. ie. chocolate with graham crackers for s’mores, song books so we can sing camp songs, crafts for the kids, a make and take (pillow case, t-shirt, etc.), excellent food. We did a smoked beef sirloin roast that cooked all day. Make it memorable, unforgettable, so the next time you plan an activity people are sure to come again because the last time was so much fun. I dunno… I find it very easy to plan stuff. I plan them good so people always talk about it and never forget it. Details. Take that extra effort, that extra care. Don’t be cheap. Don’t have to be expensive, just cover all your basis. ie. Have butter to put on the pancakes. Sure you don’t need it, but it’s a nice touch. Have eggs. Sure you don’t need it, but once again… it’s the details.
I’m glad I don’t have this calling anymore, cuz quite frankly I treated it like a job and it would take me 2 months to plan an activity, then 2 days before I did nothing but prep and pack for the activity. I just don’t have time to do it anymore. Work is taking up my life and I’m just so crazy busy.
I went to go ride the motorcycles again today, but it was canceled cuz of the stupid Ozzy concert today. Suck. I want to buy a bike so bad.