Today was a big day for Noah. Several fun and growth experiences where had :).
After the camp wake-up getting done, and getting Noah and the other kids dressed, morning flag was held and then down to breakfast.
As the kids were waiting, the chaplain ask for a volunteer to do prayers. Noah's hand flew up, one of 2 kids, and the chaplain picked him to do the prayers. Noah talked to the chaplin (a wonderful 80 yo former military chaplain and long time boy scout) for a while, saying who knows what.
After the kids went in to the dining hall for breakfast, it was Noah's big moment. The chaplain quited the room, and turned it over to Noah. LIke a kid with good Catholic upbrining, he made the sign of the cross and recited the meal prayer without issue. After finishing, he said a few others things, which wasn't heard too well (I didn't hear what he said).. the boys were getting hungry... and the chaplain said a big "amen" and everyone dived into breakfast.
What came next was truely special, both for Noah and I. I congratulated him on a job well done and he responded with "Dad, I think I'm feeling Joyous". With a smile. Then he said, " I think it is joy.. I'm not sure". I ask him, "does it feel kinda warm inside and you feel happy?". Noah said "yes". I told him that was indeed joy. Then, to make the moment even more special, he said, "Dad, you know that Joy comes from God, you can't make it yourself". It was at that moment I realized that Noah was having a more spiritual experience, not just pride and accomplishment. With a big smile, I said, "yes, Noah, that is right. I imagine God is quite pleased with you right now, and his joy is being shared with you." Simply amazing.
The rest of the morning was spent doing activities with his camp troop, the Umpquas.
I caught back up with Noah in the afternoon to what sounded like a successful day. He was finishing up the CampLife2 class, where he re-earned his Wittling Chip (basic knife safty), which entitled him to carry a pocket knife and use it. He was pretty proud of this fact, as he sat down multiple times to whittle on some wood.
The last elective for the day was BB's, which Noah both enjoys and does well at. He decided to try and get his BB pin, which requires him to go to a class and spend 3 hours shooting on the range. A nice demonstration of motivation by Mr. Noah.
Noah was a server for dinner, which he did a pretty good job at. Lotsof new things to be learned... setting tables, picking up and distributing food, etc. Not sure he thought it was all that great, but he got it done :).
After dinner he joined a few scouts down on the beach for some play time. Most of the boys were new folks he met as part of out camp troop. He had a lot of fun running around with the boy for about 45 min.
The kids got their staves that night in a ceremony around our campsite fire. The stave is about a 5 ft walking stick, and is kinda like a right of passage for the boys. Something they have to be responsible with not to play around with and hurt others, and to keep up with. The kids are supposed to decorate it with things from camp, and their life journey, so the staff tells a story. The cermony had a nice feel to it and all the kids were pleased to have gotten it.
The night ended with a quick round of Star Flux with a few other kids in our campsite (Chris and Justice). Noah chose to do this instead of going down to the beach to check out the bioluminecent algie.
At 10, I put Noah in bed to read. I came back by at 10:30 to find him curled up under his sleeping bag, fast asleep. The big day wore him out.
I'm one very proud dad.
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