Well folks, another summer out at El Rancho Cima: Cockrell River Camp is almost over & this one has been absolutely excellent. I was commenting the other day to some friends of mine that I wasn’t able to accurately assess the true (crappy) status of 2007 because I’d never worked on a Summer Camp staff before, yet after experiencing an amazing 2008, I realize why so many long-term staffers were more than displeased after the conclusion of 2007′s camp and why they’ve loved 2008. From the (good) weather and (excellent) troops to the (wonderfully cohesive) staff, 2008 has been a year to remember. The true surprise (to me at least; ya know, that lack of prior context) is how the senior staff has already begun to engage in some minor planning for next year; last year at this time, we’d already checked out mentally because we were so frustrated with and simply tired of the entire summer. All of that being said, my hat’s off to all of my fellow staff members for making this summer so memorable. Thanks so very much.
Enjoy this last batch of pictures!
Matt (Program Director) surveys all that he sees.
Ross (Outdoor Skills) prepares for Tug-Of-Water-War
Matt talks at the Morning Leaders’ Meeting…
… while Shane (Camp Director) plays the air guitar…
… and sends off text messages.
Wesley (Camp Ranger) steps into the 21st Century by learning to send text messages.
Rachel (Assistant Medical Officer & Assistant to the Program Director) sports Matt’s sunglasses.
(L-R) Bill (Iron Wheel Mesa Commissioner) and Katie (River Commissioner) smile for the camera.
Jarrett (Quartermaster) lassos the next-door neighbor’s dog that strayed into camp.
Chris shotguns 20 oz of water on his way to winning the Round-a-Bout.
Shane. That’s it. Just Shane.
Chris (Head Commissioner) chats while Matt makes an ugly face.
Aron (River Commissioner) digs in deep.
Chris plays in the mud.
Casey (Shooting Sports Director) has no clue Chris is making this ugly face at him.
(L-R) Forrest (Blanco Blast) and Sam (Outdoor Skills) send their boat sailing during the Rain Gutter Regatta.
The beautiful Blanco River passes through a remarkably calm Aquatics area.
Les (Reservation Climbing Director) surveys the Climbing Tower.
Casey can’t seem to pull the cart…
… so he makes Chris (Shooting Sports) pull the cart instead.
(L-R) Katie, Rachel, & Sam (Trading Post Manager) watch the craziness of Meadow Madness from the sidelines.
No, Jarrett isn’t letting loose a tremendous fart. He’s just making sure that the root beer brews appropriately.
Wow. Simply Wow. Words can’t express….
July 27th, 2008 14:41
Makes Daddy and I really wonder what a real “empty nest” is going to be like. Weird. Yes, some days we think it will be grand. I want to use the other side for “my stuff.” The great room on the other side will make one heck of a scrapbook room!!!!! But the reality of it is, it will be hard. After years of boys and boy madness, quiet is sometimes just TOO QUIET!!!
Love ya. Can’t wait to see you in August. Did you realize that August 10 is the day before Stephen’s TWENTY-FIRST(!!!) birthday. Since you and Jennifer will be here, we’ll have a family-only style party.
Later, MAMA!!