Jul 26 2008

CRC – Week 7, Day 7

Category: Summer Camp 2008 — dryvetyme @ 09:32

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!
Continue reading “CRC – Week 7, Day 7″

Jul 14 2008

CRC 2008 — Week 6, Day 2

Category: Summer Camp 2008 — dryvetyme @ 15:03

Admittedly, my posting regarding my time at El Rancho Cima: Cockrell River Camp 2008 has been much more lax this year than it was last year. However, I must counter with two facts: a) I have kept up some semblance of music journalism by posting reviews & free music downloads; & b) I have started dating someone and I’m doing whatever I can to spend as much of my free time as possible with her (because she’s great). So there’s that. Make with that what you will, but just rest assured that I’m quite happy with life these days.

After the jump, you’re going to find some of my more favorite pictures (not included: pictures of the aforementioned lovely girlfriend) from the past couple of weeks. Enjoy!
Continue reading “CRC 2008 — Week 6, Day 2″

Jun 29 2008

CRC 2008 — Week 4, Day 1

Category: Summer Camp 2008 — dryvetyme @ 00:23

In lieu of providing some random sentences that express my thoughts from the prior week, I’m going to actually post some pictures that I’ve taken over the past few weeks. Enjoy!


Blanco Blast Tower


(L-R) Ross (Pioneering) & Brandon (Handicrafts)


(L-R) Sam (Trading Post) & Tim (Trading Post)


The Beautiful Blanco River
Continue reading “CRC 2008 — Week 4, Day 1″

Jun 21 2008

CRC 2008 – Week 2, Day 7

Category: Summer Camp 2008 — dryvetyme @ 15:48

Well, it was a good week on most fronts at El Rancho Cima: Cockrell River Camp 2008 (the issues with the 140+ little Timmy Scouts in the Blanco Blast “FCE” program and their John/Jane Scoutmasters nonwithstanding). Alas, I still have no pictures to share. While I know that there are certain members of my regular reading audience who might bemoan and decry the absence of visual verification, I simply have been unable to find time to pull out my trusty camera and become APN the Photojournalist. I was busy being APN the Merit Badge Counselor, instructing the youth of tomorrow about Citizenship in the Nation and Communications.

Now before there are too many jokes hurled about at my expense, I’m sure there are plenty of you that find it mildly humorous (or maybe a bit scary) that I’ve been let in front of teenagers to teach them anything. However, we had some rousing conversations in class about Marshall McLuhan and communications theory, “hot” v. “cold” media, “hot” v. “cold” citizenship, contemporary political apathy amongst the average American citizenry, why/how particular forms of media and communication are effective and others are not, and the good ol’ Constitution of the US of A. I must say that those 5 days of classes made my late Friday night more than worth it (only a 12-hour merit badge session this week!). Hopefully, I’ll be able to get out and about more often next week and be able to share some of the lovely sights and images here at CRC 2008.

Here’s to a great Week 2 and an even better Week 3!

P.S. — I do plan to post some music-related items in the upcoming week, including some reviews and information regarding some hip-hop oriented festivities in Houston, TX. Be on the lookout!

Jun 14 2008

CRC 2008 – Week 1, Day 7

Category: Summer Camp 2008 — dryvetyme @ 00:35

Yeah yeah yeah….

I know, I know, I know….

I realize that I promised to write a bit more frequently about Summer Camp 2008, but life here at El Rancho Cima: Cockrell River Camp can be quite crazy and frantic. Week One is an aberration in the sense that it’s filled with large, non-standard troops that are, shall I say, quite demanding upon the staff’s time and efforts. Suffice to say, I haven’t been able to get out of the office to take many pictures, mostly because I’m trying to be the best Merit Badge Coordinator that I can be.

Yet, thanks to my capacity as a quick learner, I was able to hone, refashion, and reform the Excel spreadsheet that I used last year for CRC 2007 to process the merit badge information and crank out Week One’s data in record time. Granted, I do have the following folks to thank: the counselors who turned in quality paperwork and the Sam Houston Area Council Director of Annual Giving who was visiting Camp and decided to donate a few hours to the cause. Amazingly, it seems that after almost 29 years I might have actually learned how to function under a bit of pressure (the papers written in college due to my procrastination nonwithstanding).

Week Two is quickly approaching, complete with nearly 150 Scouts in our Blanco Blast (new camper) program, and nearly 500 Scouts total here at Cockrell River Camp. You read that right: 150 out of 500 Scouts will be first-year campers, creating an “opportunity” for the staff to rise to the occasion and meet the needs of all of the Troops in camp. Along with the Blanco Blast Troop Guides, the Aquatics staff will certainly have their hands full making sure that “Little Timmy” is learning what he needs to learn and having the best time in the woods away from Mommy that he can possibly have.

Thus, I bid you all adieu. I have a few music posts that should be appearing over the next couple of weeks and I re-affirm my promise to get some pictures up here for my regular readers (you know who you are).

Peace.

APN.

Next Page »
Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes