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Re: South Llano River State Park with Cub Scouts
Here is the big report. Just kidding, it will be fairly short, I hope.
We got there early enough to get the tent up before sundown and claimed a site for our friends. Another family would be joining us for Saturday night and would get a site 4 down from us, but on the way to the bathroom.
The electric blankets came out the first night, it got down to 37 the first night 42, the second. The second family came in about an hour later. Once camp was made, the fire was made. We visited for a while then retired for the night.
The 2 other families met up with us in the morning, driving up from SA that morning. We spend some time at the river front on the far side, playing Ultimate frisbee golf ( using trees as the holes), fishing, and learning about maps and compasses.
Return to our site for chili and hot dogs for lunch.
Meet the park superintendent in the conference room of HQ to discuss what life was like on the property years ago, what natural resources are, and what happens if the aren't protected, why conserve, etc. After an hour, we went out to see the well for the park and review what we learned about water conservation, then planted seeds of native grass for the deer to eat.
Returned to campsite to make posters about animals, food chain, endangered species, and show them to the den. Some brought reports already made from home to show, so they can earn some advancements.
We made a thank you poster and went to deliver it but the HQ had just closed. We left it in the rangers truck front seat ( window was wide open). We took a nature hike, found an old outhouse and the boys all tried to fit inside, found an old cemetery and read on a plaque how the family members had died, ( one from a rattlesnake bite). Learned about mistletoe, staghorn cactus, prickly pear and how the bugs that live in the white fuz on the PP make a red dye when squished. The boys painted their faces. We walked to the bird blind where the boys scared away all but the sparrows and cardinals.
Dinner was ready. After dinner, we told scary stories, sang, and ate s'mores. I also told them that the chupacabra eats boys with boogers. When I was acting the part, the one boy who wouldn't stop playing to blow his nose quickly blew it as I approached his chair. They never went off into the dark alone the rest of the trip.
Sunday the boys helped with the cooking. So the eggs were burned a little, just pour some salsa on it.
The family that camped just Sat night forgot to turn off the interior lights in the car and needed a jump in the morning. We went back to the river to fish. Another one of our kids fell in the river. But they all had great fun playing together, earning some advancements, and being outdoors.
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