The first SAIL campout of the 2014-15 year was held at the Peckham Ranch, a place that is very near and dear to our hearts. And this year we got to do something which we have not had the privilege of doing more than a few times in the history of the SAIL Pathfinder Club: light REAL fires!
With great excitement, and a little trepidation for some of our new Pathfinders, we headed out of the city, far away from civilization…well, not that far….and out to the ranch. Along with our visitors from Germany, we set up camp and prepared to enjoy a real campfire.
While some were learning the art of Dutch oven cooking, most were learning important information about how to build fires and use cutting tools safely. Once two pots of chili were bubbling on the coals, we settled in to close the Sabbath with worship around the fire.
After a delicious dinner, our traditional rootbeer floats, and a piece of birthday cake, the Pathfinders headed to the meadow to practice communicating using flashlights to send Morse code. Teams were set up opposite each other to signal words back and forth. Soon the lights twinkled across the meadow like many erratic fireflies. At the end of the exercise we learned that we needed a bit more practice to make our light signals mean what we intended for them to mean.
Sunday morning found our Junior Pathfinders learning about laying different types of fires and practicing starting fires by using fire starters and dryer lint. The Senior Pathfinders got to do something we’ve wanted to do ever since the SAIL club started but have never been able to do because of the on-going drought: have a competition starting fires with one match! Pathfinders partnered up and went to work. The object was to start a fire with just one match and then keep it going for 10 minutes. Everyone had a chance to try and soon a string of fires were burning, with eager Pathfinders tending them. Some of the kids got so excited about the whole project that they even named their fire.
The only major disappointment for all on this campout was that there was no rain. Not even a drop!
The SAIL Pathfinders have more activities coming up soon. We will be doing our fall non-perishable food collection in a couple of weeks and, in November, will be hosting an appreciation brunch for a group of seniors.
With great excitement, and a little trepidation for some of our new Pathfinders, we headed out of the city, far away from civilization…well, not that far….and out to the ranch. Along with our visitors from Germany, we set up camp and prepared to enjoy a real campfire.
While some were learning the art of Dutch oven cooking, most were learning important information about how to build fires and use cutting tools safely. Once two pots of chili were bubbling on the coals, we settled in to close the Sabbath with worship around the fire.
After a delicious dinner, our traditional rootbeer floats, and a piece of birthday cake, the Pathfinders headed to the meadow to practice communicating using flashlights to send Morse code. Teams were set up opposite each other to signal words back and forth. Soon the lights twinkled across the meadow like many erratic fireflies. At the end of the exercise we learned that we needed a bit more practice to make our light signals mean what we intended for them to mean.
Sunday morning found our Junior Pathfinders learning about laying different types of fires and practicing starting fires by using fire starters and dryer lint. The Senior Pathfinders got to do something we’ve wanted to do ever since the SAIL club started but have never been able to do because of the on-going drought: have a competition starting fires with one match! Pathfinders partnered up and went to work. The object was to start a fire with just one match and then keep it going for 10 minutes. Everyone had a chance to try and soon a string of fires were burning, with eager Pathfinders tending them. Some of the kids got so excited about the whole project that they even named their fire.
The only major disappointment for all on this campout was that there was no rain. Not even a drop!
The SAIL Pathfinders have more activities coming up soon. We will be doing our fall non-perishable food collection in a couple of weeks and, in November, will be hosting an appreciation brunch for a group of seniors.
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