The Amazing Women of Loll

Random Photos II

Sailing at Loll? Yes We Can!!!

Moon Rise over Lake of the Woods, During Campfire at Loll

There was a man,

an ugly little man,

an ugly little green man,

all covered with dust.

Hummingbirds and Horseflies

Outside my office window hangs a hummingbird feeder. I have had it several years now and it is a source of much pleasure. I had long know there were humming birds about, one would see them every now and then, flashing through the trees like red flames. Now they often perch in the trees outside my office window or buzz and whir along the edge of the porch. Some are very possessive of the “sugar pot” and will dive at peoples heads or jostle with each other . Most ungrateful of them to attack me, considering I have provided the feast. They are instantly forgiven and much loved.

This year, the forest was still full of snow when I hung out the feeder. Not very hopefully so my pleasure was doubly great when on the second day after I hung it, the first little friend appeared.

The humming birds we have at Loll are rufous hummingbirds. The bodies of the males are bright polished copper and they have ruby red throats. The females are copper green with white breasts, like Helen of Troy I suppose. In my little book, The Secret Lives of Hummingbirds; it says, “Rufous hummingbirds make an even more impressive journey. From their winter homes in Mexico they travel in early spring to California, where they follow hummingbird flowers northward as they come into bloom in the lowlands and foothills. Some eventually breed as far north as Alaska. In summer and fall they return by different routes, flying between mountain meadow refueling stops in the Coast Ranges,Sierra Nevada,and the Rocky Mountains. For some rufous hummingbirds it is a round trip of 2,200 miles – a remarkable journey for any bird,especially for one only three and one half inches long!”

What a wonder and a joy!

Soon there will be other buzzing creatures about. Big nasty horseflies which buzz and whir and pile up in dying heaps along the window sills. Of course I hate them – their noise and bother are not to be tolerated. When ever possible I kill them.

What is it that makes humming birds so welcome and horseflies so hated?

Visitors are like either humming birds or horseflies. Some are so loved that we set out baits to tempt their presence, and sit day after day waiting, hoping, for their arrival. Other visitors are like horseflies, not to be tolerated but to be smashed.

Shared Experience

On Shared Experience (Another page from the “Book of the Moose”, another work in progress)

When I directed Camp Treasure Mountain, up Teton Canyon, I required my employees to attend Saturday evening story sessions. I actually read them To Kill a Mocking Bird cover to cover over that season, and many other things as well. The lodge had burned down the year before, so we met in the warehouse, remade into a staff dining hall. One married couple worked that summer, she as cook, he as handy man. One night, after I had delivered a“stirring” reading of the cross examination scene, my handyman came to me quite upset. He said I had wasted his entire evening, which he could have spent with his family, and requested to be allowed to miss “story night” from then on. I was young then, younger than he, and gave in to his demand. I was wrong to have done so. From then on, he often chose not to participate in our activities, we were never able to build the kind of bond with his beautiful family that I now feel we could have done had we included them all in our shared experiences. We remain good friends but they did not return another summer. They missed out on us, we missed out on them, by choosing to be by themselves they chose not to be with us. We could have given each other so much more if we would have shared the experience.

It is a bit ironic that it was that very summer I showed the staff a movie about a man climbing the Grand Teton. Those were the days of reel to reel projectors, and we watched this one movie we had in what would have been the warehouse garage, sitting on folding chairs at old church tables. I don't remember the name of the film; who produced it or why, but there was an important lesson in it for successfully building a camp staff team; a special treasure buried in all the adventure. In one particularly exciting moment, the climber attempted to traverse an overhang. He had driven a peton into the stone above his head and attached his rope. As he pulled himself up, the peton came out and he swung into the wall, smashing his face; the blood gushing from his nose. Hanging there thousands of free fall feet above the valley floor, he first placed a finger on the side of his nose and blew out the blood, then pulled out another peton, drove it into the stone, and resumed his climb. The boys cheered his courage and manliness. To me, another thread in the film was more stirring. Early in his journey, as the climber passed through the forest at the foot of the mountain, he stopped by a stream to catch a tiny frog. He put it in his shirt pocket. One hardly noticed the seeming meaningless act. After summiting the Grand Teton with glory, the climber returned to the stream and released the frog; a frog that had gone to the top of the world; who had shared the experience with a hero.

Years later, it was during my second stint as director at Loll, I was told by a professor from Weber State College that the Boiling River was better than the Fire Hole. The Boiling River is between Mammoth and Gardner, Montana. Those were the days when Loll owned a big, red, forty passenger International Harvester bus. As we had scouts arriving on Saturday, we set out on road trips after church on Sunday. It took most of an adventure filled day to get the crew to and through the wildlife museum at Mammoth and to the trail up the Gardner River to the hot water. My wife and I had to tend our children in those days and by the time we had the little boys on the trail the staff had gone ahead hunting for the swimming hole.

Now, to decide if the Boiling River is better than the Fire Hole, you will need to know a little about the Fire Hole. All the hot water from Old Faithful, Black Sands, and Biscuit geyser basins run into that river, then it plunges over a water fall and into a narrow canyon. At the swimming hole there is up to sixty feet of deep, warm, green water. It is a big river and swimmers can jump into the current and be swept through eddies and rapids as they pass beneath the cliffs. We have been taking our crew there since the summer of 1977.

Back to that Sunday trip up the Boiling River. We rounded a bend in the trail to see our entire staff, fully clothed and standing in a group. They were not impressed with the boiling river and had voted not to go in. At that point I explained to them that this was not a democracy, that they didn't get to vote, that I had not driven them all the way across Yellowstone to have them not get into the Boiling River. I had to admit it looked a bit of a let down, no deep pool, the water was only knee deep. There were no trees, only a rather dry grass meadow. They complained that there was no place to change into their swimming suits, that people would see them from the highway above. I explained to them about musk oxen, how they could form a circle with everyone facing out and one at a time change in the center. They did and waded into the river. The Boiling River is really a wonderful place, (although not in my opinion superior to the Fire Hole), for all the hot water from Mammoth Hot Springs flows down the mountain side and falls over a long, low waterfall into the icy coldness of the Gardener River. You can sit under the hot falls, or find any temperature of water to play in, or you can swim in the trough where the two waters meet. Needless to say, an hour later, when I told them it was time to go, they voted and said they were not getting out. Frogs and camp staffers don't always know what they want most, sometimes one just has to take them where they would never go, sometimes one must take them there together.

I remember a whole avalanche of shared experiences with an army of close friends, from swimming in the Fire Hole, to watching Old Faithful, to washing dishes at the sink at Bartlett, to sitting under the stars on Lion's Head, to attending church in the rain and mosquitoes at Lake of the Woods, to seeing Union Falls, to watching corny movies snuggled up on old mattresses on the floor of the Jed Stringham memorial hall, to reading To Kill a Mocking Bird in a dingy log warehouse garage.

Don't get me wrong, I give my crew time to be alone, and time to be with family or special friends. But on a regular basis we have shared experiences which they must attend.

Random Pictures from the First of Camp 2009

This summer we had plenty of snow to deal with.
We lived in the lodge for a week before we could
start setting up tents. It was still wet and cold.




Ben Dansie took the lead.




Not all our crew live in tents. Our women folk
live in the 1937 era cabins. You can tell it was
still cold.




But the hardships have their rewards.
This is Terraced Falls, one of our many
beautiful hikes at about four miles from
Camp.






The hike to Survey Peak in early summer provides
a chance to cross some snow. The peak is four miles
straight south of Camp Loll.




This hike too is worth it.




Phantom Falls only runs in the spring
and early summer, but it provides a
great rappell all summer long.






Eight miles from the trail head is Scout
Pool. Jason Bott shows how one enters
it in style.




Just over the ridge from Scout Pool is Union Falls.
Union is the second highest waterfall in Yellowstone.
Matt Bredthauer and Sawyer Wylie add to a
beautiful scene.





We have a Water Front and a Water
Front Director at Loll. Mike is on the
Left, Matt is one of his crew.





Kayaking on Lake of the Woods




Our new catamarran; thanks Shaun
and Joe. Loll has two sail boats and
two catamarrans



At Loll we always have flaming Indians.



Here are the chiefs of the Fellowship
for 2009.



Indian Dancers at the Highland Games.




By the way; the Loll women are so hot we do the
"Rain Clap."

Flag Ceremonies

My Suggestions on Flag Ceremonies in Boy Scout Camp

I'll bet I've seen more Flag Ceremonies than you have. I love it when everything is done just right, when the Senior Patrol Leader knows every line, when the flag goes up fast and crisp, or comes down slowly, pulled hand over hand. But sometimes I also like to see mistakes: when the flag starts up the line that runs through the caribeener then comes down to be started up again, upside down, or when once brought to the top, and the boy comes to attention to salute it the flag starts back down on its own. There are the times when the SPL forgets the words, and when he says them wrong of funny. It is not these painful errors that please but the way they are met by the assembly of 300 boys standing at attention. I have yet to hear a snicker or wisecrack. How is it, I ask, that such a mob of teenagers can stand by while given a chance to mock a peer in trouble and hold their tongs. Respect, you answer. Respect, I say, and not a little bit of sympathy, and finally might I suggest, empathy. Especially form all the other Senior Patrol Leaders in the crowd who know that tomorrow it could well be them.

What more do we need to have as citizens of this great country that to have respect for each other, and sympathy, and empathy? The Flag Ceremony is an important part of camp. It is where citizenship is taught and lived, it is where information is shared, and it is where enthusiasm is built. A good Flag Ceremony is fun, it is inspirational, it is a direct link between the camp program and its administration and the boys and their leaders. It unites the camp in knowledge of what is going on and builds enthusiasm and participation in the camp's programs and opportunities.

I aspire to be an artiest and I know, in spite of all the Post Modern claptrap to the contrary, that beauty can only be produced by following rules. A good Flag Ceremony follows some basic rules. Once you have mastered them you can, like any great artist, “become creative.” What follows is for the Opening Flag Ceremony, the one that starts the day. I will provide variations for other ceremonies once we get this one down.

Rule one: the staff must be there ten minuets early.

Rule two: the staff must stand in a straight line, with hands behind their back at parade rest and pay attention.

Rule three: the staff must sing enthusiastically as the scouts assemble. I have a series of songs which we sing before each flag ceremony. I have them posted by day and by which flag ceremony it is so I can reference them. Practice them until your crew sings them loudly and well. They should be fun songs which are complicated enough to retain their interest and powerful enough to set the mood of the staff which sings them and the scouts who are listing. In the morning I make sure they are loud, fast, and up beat. I lead them myself. I like to theme them: Sea shanties, Celtic tunes, etc.

Rule four: have Commissioners or other staff helping the troops line up behind their SPL.

Rule five: have a Commissioner or other staff member in charge. About five minuets before the actual posting of the colors, have that leader start with a song which involves the entire camp. Some songs that we use are: “Fighting the Battle of the Morning Limbering,” “Father Abraham,” and “Atu Da Ta.”

Rule six: Have a single cheer which all the troops who are at the assembly area can participate in and have your Commissioner lead the camp, including the staff in doing this cheer. The staff should be particularly enthusiastic. I like “Mabuha”, “The Camp Mosquito”, “Igy, Igy, Igy, Oy, Oy, Oy.” I do not have troops give their yells in the morning – it takes too long.

Rule seven: Have the staff cheer the scouts. This cheer must be fun, enthusiastic, and well preformed. I like “Let me see you” “Dum Dum Duh Duh” and “Yesterday Was Hike Day.” These takes a good leaders, so I can have the best, I usually have my Program Director lead them.

Rule eight: START ON TIME, if the flag ceremony is scheduled for 9:30, at 9:30 the Commissioner in charge will turn the time over to the troop or staff Color Guard and the flag will be raised. Troops that are late will be asked to wait quietly to the side of the formation until the call of "at ease." After the first time, most of the troops will be there on time. If you wait even a minuet, troops will never become punctual. NOTE: Troops that present the flag ceremony should have been there early and practiced putting up the flag and their Camp Friend should have helped train them. I like to give a speech to the entire camp as part of the first flag ceremony (Monday Night) in which I explain how to behave. In short; that they should follow the commands hand salute and two, that those in uniform should salute and those not in uniform should put there hands over their heart. All none uniform hats should be removed. When the flag is brought down they can drop their salute after the flag has been removed from the halyards but they should remain at attention and quiet until the flag is fonded and the color guard dismissed. In the morning they salute through the pledge and then drop their salute but remain at attention until the color guard is dismissed. After the color guard is dismissed the staff should lead the assembly in polite applause.

Rule nine: Present information to the camp in an orderly method, department by department, following the same pattern every day. Make sure that the skits main purpose is to convey information and not just to entertain either the staff or the scouts. I usually go: Nature, Field Sports, Water Front, ACE, Commissioner, Camp Wide Business, High Inspection Scores, and then give the “Camp Time” for the day.

Rule ten: Never go over thirty minuets. Flag Ceremony must be done in time for the scouts to get to their respective activities for the day.

Rule eleven: The Camp Director should attend all Flag Ceremonies. This seems to go without saying, but it occurred to me that some may not understand. The Camp Director must show that Flag Ceremony is important to him, and he must be there to encourage, and critique.

I will next present detailed accounts of all of our morning flag ceremonies, including the agenda – a written copy of which is in the hand of our conducting Commissioner – and word by word descriptions of what is to be said and done. I will also include pictures.

Morning Flag Ceremonies

Tuesday Morning

Pre Opening

Songs by Staff - (lead by the Camp Director): "Will It Reach," "Fish Heads," and "I Love to Go,"
Participation song (lead by the Commissioner) "Fighting the Battle of the Morning Limbering,"
Troop Yell - (led by the Cinnussioner) "Mabuha!" (Stomp your feet, pound your chest, jump up and down and yell Mabuha!)
Staff yell - (Lead by Program Director) "Let me See you ____ Whats that you say!"
Flag Ceremony by troop #____.

Business (Each step introduced by the Commissioner who leads the chants.)

Nature Director, introduce by “Trees Flowers Dirt....
Naturalist
Polar Bear
Commando Corps

Field Sports Director, introduced by “Twang Bang Where's ...”
Dime Club / Top Archer
Hans & Frans - Range Shoot!
Pathfinder

Waterfront Director, introduced by “Yo ho ho ho a pirates life for me”.

Anounce - Mile Swim, Safe Swim Defense, Safety AfloatBaywatch (Includes the tee shirt commercial.)
Overnight Canoe

ACE Director, introduced by “Its Ace and His assistant, Ace and his assistant...”
Activity of the day
Rock Jock

Commissioner Business:
High Landers & Wee Scout
Round Table – 11:00 AM @ the Chapel
Announce Scout Craft Skill Events @ 7:30
Tonight is also the Fellowship of the Moose
High Inspection Scores for the Day

Official Camp Time

Dismiss for Merit Badges and ACE activities.

Pictures from Tuesday Morning Fllag Ceremony

Steve Erwin's beautiful wife Terry explains the need to attend the Naturalist.

Steve's failure to attend the Naturalist causes him to misidentify the Polar Bear.

Too bad for Steve!

The Polar Bear explains how to join his exclusive Society.

Rambo - "Commando Corps; all the way!!"

The Pathfinder of Camp Loll confronts a French Castle.

He explains the migration of compasses.

Hans and Franz;

are here to pump you up.

Bay Watch uses their First Aid skills to battle the sun.


Where's the beach?!

It's ACE and his assistant.

The Rock Jock

I am the man!

The wee scout learns not to litter.

If you waist our Highlands we'll waist you!

Thursday Morning

Pre Opening:

Songs by Staff (lead by the Camp Director) "My Father" Twas 1800 & 53" "Tiz Advartized in Boston," 'I've Got Sixpence"
Troop Participation Song (led by the Commissioner) "Father Abraham"

Troop yell (led by the Commissioner) Igy Igy Igy – Oy oy oy
Staff yell (led by the Program Director or Commissioner) “Yesterday was hike day wasnt it Great...”
Flag Ceremony by troop #_____

Business (Each step led by the Commissioner who leads the chants)

Nature Director, introduced by “Trees Flowers Dirt....
Naturalist
Polar Bear
Commando Corps

Field Sports Director, introducedby “Twang Bang Where's ...”
Dime Club / Top Archer
Hans & Frans.. Range Shoot!
Pathfinder

Waterfront Director, introduced by “Yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me”
Anounce - Mile swim, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat

Baywatch

ACE Director, introduced by “Its Ace and His assistant, Ace and his assistant...”
Activity
Rock Jock

Announcement from the Trading Post!

Commissioner
High Landers & Wee Scout (Not my Responsibility)
Round Table – 11:00 AM @ the Chapel
Announce the Highland Games, and after that the Honor Trail
Announce the Scoutmaster and all adult leader lunch w/ the staff yell
“Potato chips, Potato chips...”
High Inspection Scores for the Day ---

Then official camp time.

Dismiss for Merit Badges and Other ACE activities

Pictures of Thursday Flag Ceremony

Always have a Commissioner in charge

of directing every step of the program.

All the performers wait backstage.

"Steve" comes out looking for smaller

game, but will still meet the Polar Bear

and anounce the Naturalist.

The we have the dance of he Polar Bear.

Rambo hands out his awesome head bands.

A rather cocky Rambo finds out just

how helpful Bay Watch can be.

The ACE Assistant as a corn dog. The adventures

for the day are sailing and black powder shooting. Go

figure.

The Rock Jock demonstrates the

"chest hair growing" virtues of

the second-year rappell.

The Highlanders stand by to educate the wee-

scout on taking responsibility for everyone's litter.

Friday Morning Flag Ceremony

Pre Opening

Staff songs (led by the Camp Director) "Three Little Angels," "Herby," "Where Oh Where Is Suzzy,".

Troop participation song (led by the Commissioner) “A tu da ta a Tu da ta..” Yell for all the troops (led by the Commissioner) "Camp Loll Mosquito".

Staff yell (led by the Program Director) "Dum Dum cheer"

Flag Ceremony By troop #_____

Business (each stage led by the Commissioner who leads the chants)

Nature Director introduced by "Trees, Flowers, Dirt" chant.

Naturalist

Polar Bear

Commando Corps

Field Sports, introduced by “Twang Bang Where's ...”

Dime Club / Top Archer

Hans & Frans.. Range Shoot!

Pathfinder

Waterfront introduced by “Yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me”

Baywatch

Mile Swim

ACE introduced by “Its Ace and His assistant, Ace and his assistant...”

Activity

Rock Jock

Message from the Trading Post

Commissioner

High Landers & Wee Scout

Round Table – 11:00 AM @ the Chapel

Closing campfire tonight

High Inspection Scores for the Day

Official Camp Time

Dismiss for Merit Badge classess and ACE activities

Pictures of Friday Morining's Flag Ceremony

The Polar Bear teaches "Steve" a lesson

on plant and animal identification

The Polar Bear addresses the Camp.

The Dance of the Polar Bears

The Old Bridge Keep confront Nepoleon Dynamite.

The Bridge Keeper does away with Napoleon Dyamite

Could this possibly be? Mutany!

The Captian and his crew learn the true meaning of life

"Marriage is what brings us together today."

The Rock Jock; so manly that only "real men"

can understand him.

The Wee-scout learns to access-her-eyes.

One of the Highlanders trys to go civilized; something
about a woman.

The Highlanders and friends find the Wee-scout even at home.

We have all their "blue cards".

As this post is getting a little large for me to work with I will place the evening Flag Ceremonies on a new posting above.