Second was the ?????? and ????? campout.
Traditionally it's called the Father and Sons' campout or Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration campout, but that can't be further from the truth for this outing so I have no idea what to call it. The weather was REALLY hard rain (for Portland) from the time we got there until 6 am. There were only 3 tents set up for the night (including mine). Almost all of the fathers were huddled underneath a shelter tent where the grill was and they couldn't care less about where their sons were.
Ninety percent of the ward slept in their cars/trucks/campers and there was no commemoration of the Aaronic priesthood restoration. No message, no nothin'; the male membership of our ward is not very strong in spiritual leanings and teaching/leadership. We had cobbler (from a box!) served at 10 pm and then the kids were begging to go to sleep. So we did...after I gave them my own impromptu lesson (with references!) on the restoration.
The next morning was beautiful. We woke up at 8:15 and we were excited to enjoy a nice hot breakfast before fishing and disc golfing. The rain had stopped and it was a beautiful sunny morning. Carter got out of the tent first and said "Dad! There's nobody here!" I thought that was a funny joke.
It wasn't a joke. At 8:15 am, the camp was completely abandoned. Breakfast was already served, cleaned, put away, and moved out by then. Every camper had left. It was just us...and we were hungry. We had plans to stay until noonish. Instead, we fished for 15 minutes, packed up the camp, and left. The boys sat in the car as I took an hour to clean up camp...it was one of the most lonely times I've ever had.
I'm told that our ward often leaves early from campouts - some left at 5 am so their kids could play their sports. Honestly, I don't know why they even bothered going. I almost wish I hadn't.
I only got 3 pictures of the whole campout due to rain and one video just to act as proof that we were abandoned by 8:15. Here's a pic and the video.
Wow--that's pretty lame. Go camp with McMinnville next time (now that you've passed through) :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that. I don't know if I would go again. How sad.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear - I'm sorry to hear that it was such a bummer of a campout! Now you know to bring your own breakfast menu & equipment for next time! Forget everyone else, you can have a great time on your own! (Know how to Dutch Oven?)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they were all gone by 8:30! It's ok, next time you can come out and join Michael for our ward's Fathers and Sons. (Since Michael takes all 5 boys by himself each year, you know he won't be up and gone anytime near that early).
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say that I'm shocked, but I've heard stories from Nick of the "interesting" things that happen and don't happen that are supposed to happen at these things. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteMiss you guys! Patty
what a bummer!!! Our ward is hit and miss. Sometimes they have an awesome one...others...well, Wade has been abandoned by 9:00 a.m. Although none of his were that bad overall. Maybe you should do the planning next year.
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