July 26, 2008
Sixteen flagpoles stand outside the dining hall in two rows: three and thirteen. Five hundred campers gather by the thirteen, hustling to get there first and earn the honors. The other three, they’re for the staff. Full uniform. Attention, marching, parade rest. Ceremony. You know the drill.
Those flagpoles aren’t merely for flags. They’re the first ceremony for many of the Scouts, and the gathering spot used by all. While not in the center of camp, they are its centerpiece, the pillar from which all else spins out. Find those flagpoles, and you have found your way back to camp.
Funny how the Velvet Verbosity prompt this week is pillars, which works really well with my latest experience at Cub Scout Camp.
Yep, I’m back. Got some sleep after being awakened yesterday morning by a raccoon in my tent and nope, I didn’t get a look at him. I just think it was kinda cool that he was there. #1 comes home with the Tour Manager tomorrow; I can’t wait to hear what happened after I left.
Oh, and I am a left-handed archer. In case you care.
danni
July 26, 2008 6:51 pm
so glad you’re back! – interesting how we develop a perspective like the flagpoles being “THE PILLAR” of a camp even though they aren’t central — cool!!!
bunnygirl
July 26, 2008 7:11 pm
I’m glad you had a good time and I hope your raccoon didn’t find anything shiny to steal! :-0
Thomma Lyn
July 26, 2008 8:14 pm
Oh, great take on pillars! :)BR/BR/I’m glad you’re back! And hehe, a raccoon in your tent. Interesting, I saw raccoon prints by the creek branch on my hike yesterday!BR/BR/Cool that you’re a lefty. I am, too! Does that mean we’re in our right minds? 😉
Wylie Kinson
July 26, 2008 8:34 pm
It’s good to know these things Susan. If the castle is attacked, you’ll be prepared.BR/BR/Nice work with the pillars 🙂
Susan Helene Gottfried
July 26, 2008 9:51 pm
Actually, TL, I’m predominately a rightie. It was a bit surprising that I was more comfortable (and stronger) as a lefty. BR/BR/And Bunny, I think the coon was after the Diet Coke I’d tossed into the container he was interested in. Either that or he wanted to wander through and it was in his way. I’m not sure.
Robin
July 27, 2008 2:17 am
Welcome back. When I was a kid (also on a Scouting camping trip) I snuck candy into my tent and woke up to find a raccoon inside my sleeping bag! Scared the daylights out of me.
Stan Ski
July 27, 2008 2:24 am
Sounds like a fun way of developing many social skills.
Bob-kat
July 27, 2008 6:35 am
I remember the flag poles as being central to guide life too. Sounds like you had a good time even accounting for nocturnal visits from hungry critters 🙂
anthonynorth
July 27, 2008 6:51 am
Excellently done. And it sounds like you had a great time.
Rambler
July 27, 2008 7:57 am
hey welcome back Susan..and as usual you have an interesting take on the prompt 🙂
Ann
July 27, 2008 11:46 am
Hey, Welcome back. Glad to hear you had a good time. 🙂
Susan Helene Gottfried
July 27, 2008 12:50 pm
Oh, it’s ALWAYS a good time at camp!
Winter
July 27, 2008 4:19 pm
You are a brave, brave soul. The streets of San Diego’s Gaslamp district in the middle of ComicCon is about as wild as I get. Interesting bit, the archer thing. Now you need little gold wings for your heels. 😉
gautami tripathy
July 27, 2008 8:17 pm
Good to see you back. I know I have not visited you lately but then I was in a self-renewing mode. BR/BR/I will remedy that this week.
Bridget
July 27, 2008 8:52 pm
Nice. Succinct. Guess you didn’t have any food in your tent for the raccoon. Glad you are back!
CHEFDRUCK
July 27, 2008 11:05 pm
I liked your use of numbers combined with the structure of the pillars. Nicely written.
bunnygirl
July 28, 2008 2:17 am
I gave you an award. It’s on my tri-bunny blog when you have time.
Rene
July 28, 2008 10:56 am
Oh, I love that imagery. Really captures the importance of Scouts to these boys and the part those flagpoles play.
Melissa
July 28, 2008 1:57 pm
Love the scout theme! Both of my guys are in scouts and love it. Haven’t met any raccoons though. 🙂
Alice Audrey
July 28, 2008 3:38 pm
This gives a clear feel of Boy Scout camp.
JM
July 30, 2008 1:17 am
Nice look at the flagpoles being ‘pillars’ in multiple ways. 🙂