1st day of School 2022-2023

Ralph began his freshman year on Monday, August 15 at Lincoln East.  Only the freshman were on campus and the schedule was altered to include activities to welcome them including an open house of the various clubs, a slide show, East Trivia Kahoot, an abridged walk thru of their schedule spending 10 minutes in each class, and a pep rally to end the day.

The current plan is for Ralph to walk home on decent days which is about 3 miles.  On Monday he walked half that distance and we met at Scoops for the traditional 1st day of school treat.

Today the other 3 grades were also in attendance.  Ralph said he saw 4 people he knew in passing between classes.  He didn't have any homework yet.

Henry's 1st day of 7th grade was today, Tuesday, August 16.  When asked what classes he thinks will be good (or that he'll like) he said "Science, Health, English . . maybe Math."  He is taking Algebra, an 8th grade class, and heard some comments from the 8th graders about 7th graders being in the class.  

July 4th - 2022

The boys spent July 3rd at Grandpa and Grandma's so they could watch fireworks in the neighboring areas on Grandpa and Grandma's front lawn.  On the morning of July 4th they put up flags at the blood bank and then helped Grandpa put up their flag.

While the boys opted not to go to the Waverly parade Mike and I did go.  

The day was kind of noneventful.

After taking down the flags at the blood bank we went back to Grandpa and Grandpa's for supper and a few games of cornhole. 

AND ended the evening lighting and watching fireworks!

A Summary of Summer

Other than attending one week at a LPS Summer Technology Program day camp (different classes though) and a scout camp together at Medicine Mounting near Custer, South Dakota in June Ralph and Henry's summer was spent at different activities and camps.

Medicine Mountain was different than other summer camps they have been to up to this point - The attended classes on Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday.  Wednesday was a day to leave camp as a troop at site see in the area.  They ventured to Bear Country USA, Reptile Gardens, and Mt Rushmore (including the night lighting ceremony).  This was also a "cook in camp" camp and instead of going to a dining hall the troop cooked their meals (with food provided) at their campsite.

After returning from Medicine Mountain Ralph turned around less than 12 hours later and went to Camp Cornhusker for National Youth Leadership Training for 5 nights.  

The itinerary/schedule of this camp is kept under wraps so that every scout attending isn't influenced by a past attendee.  I may have nudged Ralph in going knowing that this summer is going to be less busier than future summers; he may not have been the most thrilled to go but he had a good experience and has expressed a desire to staff it next year.

Eleven days  returning from NYLT Ralph left for Summit Bechtel, a high adventure national BSA camp in West Virginia.  Four scouts and 2 adults were signed up for the "Summit Experience" - a chance to try out the various activities without being committed to any one activity for the whole session.  There was rock climbing, skateboarding, archery, rifle, and whitewater rafting along with other activities he chose not to do.   

Experiences during the road trip included the Waffle House and Bob Evans along with Mammoth Cave and the St. Louis Arch.

Henry spent his summer at various day camps. He went to three Bright Light camps - Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse, Breakout Challenge (both morning day camps), and Engineering Day camp - meeting 9 am - 4 pm at different locations during the week - including City Campus, East Campus, TCA at Southeast Community College. 

Two other weeks were spent at the Lux Center for the Arts where he did Clay Animals one week and just a general clay themed week the other week.

Henry and I also visited the Lincoln Children's Zoo a few different times.  Such a great place to go to spend time together without being rushed.

The boys volunteered with the Lincoln Municipal Band Summer Concerts again by handing out programs before the concerts and collecting donations.  This was Ralph's 5th summer and Henry's 2nd summer.   They saw many repeat attendees; Henry even received a note from a couple that sat in his area at the end of the season.

The boys were introduced to a few life skills by working on a some projects with grandpa including making new cornhole boards (done just in time for July 4th) and patching parts of the garage floor using concrete tools handed down to grandpa from his dad who received them from his dad so the boys used tools their great great grandpa, Frank Schroeppel, used.