This summer, our family decided to take a family vacation to Philmont Scout Ranch. It is in New Mexico, and we live relatively close to it (about 7.5 hours away). Also, scouting is actually something that our entire family does, and this was the last year that our church will be chartering our scouting units. So we decided to go to our church's big conference at Philmont this past week.
There were amazing classes and activities for campers of all ages. Andrew attended the class sessions, and the kids and I did some fun activities.
We got to stay in these big canvas tents, with wooden floors and outlets, not to mention real bathrooms and showers nearby. This is camping that I can handle! Andrew did a phenomenal job packing the LARGE amount of bedding, equipment, supplies and clothing we needed.
The kids were huge fans of gaga ball.
My favorite part? All meals provided. No shopping, cooking, or washing up! The dining hall had this random old Luigi sticker on one of the drink dispensers. We don't know why. But it felt like a good sign!
Clayton did not quite appreciate the menu as much as the rest of us. He survived the week on dry cereal, PB&J's and cheese.
Brian on the other hand was a huge fan of the food. He and Andrew agreed it was the best Scout camp food they'd ever had.
Seriously, this place is stunningly beautiful. A gorgeous villa and the surrounding 60,000+ acres were donated to the BSA by the Phillips 66 owner in 1938.
We had a variety of weather including several thunderstorms, but the sunny, breezy days and cool nights were enjoyed by all.
Each family made a family banner. We had each of us decorate one letter to represent ourselves.
Checking out the national Scouting museum:
The camp is staffed by about 2,000 people! Our camp counselors were an amazing bunch!
Our group got to spend the week with Charles Dahlquist. He was the Young Men's General president of our church, and the National Commissioner of the BSA. He is unbelievably talented and fun!
Dory with her group, doing leatherwork.Brian trying out ceramics. The kids did so much more fun stuff, but we were all so busy I don't have pictures of all of it.
Brian's only sadness at the dining hall was when they ran out of ketchup. So I drove a few miles to town and bought him some. He said it was the 'best surprise ever!'. It is hard to overstate how much this kid likes ketchup.
All three kids got to help in a big flag ceremony on Tuesday. They did a great job and earned some Philmont neckerchiefs and hand-carved bolos.
And then on Tuesday . . . I got a phone call that Brian was in the infirmary. He had tripped and fallen on the obstacle course. I went and picked him up, and I immediately saw that his right arm was swollen and he couldn't move it. We drove to the nearest place to get x-Rays (about 45 miles away) and yep, it's broken!
Sadly, it was his elbow/growth plate that broke, which made things more tricky. If it had been the middle of his forearm for example, he probably could've managed the rest of the week at camp in a splint. But the doctor strongly recommended we get him to an orthopedic doctor for a consultation ASAP.
So, just a bit after this picture was taken on Wednesday, the boys and I drove home. It was a huge bummer that we didn't get to continue the rest of our vacation (besides Philmont, we had planned to visit family and friends) but we all knew we needed to make sure Brian was seen to.
Luckily, I got him in first thing Thursday to the orthopedist. He is in a cast now and more comfortable (albeit hot and itchy).At least Andrew and Dory got to stay and represent the family for the rest of the week! They won the horseback trail lottery and Dory was thrilled.
More fun at the craft center!
I think we will return to Philmont someday! It was so much fun, and our trip was memorable to say the least.