TR: A week at Camp P82 - Different Scenes than most TRs
Camp P82 (Near Rocky Mount, MO – Lake of the Ozarks)
Camp P82
I spend a week each year as camp cook for the boys, counselors, and other volunteers. Camp P82 is a free camp for boys and girls associated with Sports Crusaders. The campers come from diverse backgrounds, most from situations we would not consider normal. The week I was there was for boys 8 to 12 years old.
My “camping spot” next to the kitchen.
Campers, counselors, and camp owner/operator have fun after a hard day's work.
There is actually a “boat” underneath Deondre. The campers were given a sheet of Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and duct tape to build a boat for team boat races. Points were accumulated which were used later to purchase items for “Survivor Night”.
The youngest camper making his leap to the boat while competing in a timed event. This team won the first race and came in second for the next race accumulating the most points.
The rope swing and trapeze bar provided major fun and challenge to the daring participants.
Survivor Night – a table was set up with items the 4 teams could “purchase” with the points they accumulated during the “boat” races. No team had enough points to purchase all the items. Items included – snacks, tarp, bug spray, charcoal, charcoal lighter, matches, string, scissors, and flash lights. One team that purchased charcoal traded it for snacks. Each team had 30 minutes to build their shelter and a sustainable fire.
Two teams were created and the “War Games” with Airsoft guns and ammunition were held. This was a major event for the two teams. Each team was challenged to capture the other team’s standard and transport it back to their starting location. Three hits and you were OUT!
Taunting the other team before the signal to begin was mandatory!
Each night a camp fire was built for storytelling and sharing of snacks. I was the designated camp fire builder.
Survivor Night. The boys were allowed to bring their sleeping bags and/or blankets and pillows. Not all boys had sleeping bags.
Looking for a place to build Team 4’s shelter.
Team 1 scrounged their own snacks from the nearby pond. I was offered to share their bounty, but did not want to prevent them getting their fill before turning in.
Ready for a night in the wild. Temperatures hit the high 50’s during the night. I was snug in my camper and even turned on the furnace before taking my morning shower.
It was another great week spent at Camp P82. This was my 4th year to volunteer as camp cook. I have seen several of these boys each year as they grow and receive love and care during their week at camp.
Camp P82
I spend a week each year as camp cook for the boys, counselors, and other volunteers. Camp P82 is a free camp for boys and girls associated with Sports Crusaders. The campers come from diverse backgrounds, most from situations we would not consider normal. The week I was there was for boys 8 to 12 years old.
My “camping spot” next to the kitchen.
Campers, counselors, and camp owner/operator have fun after a hard day's work.
There is actually a “boat” underneath Deondre. The campers were given a sheet of Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and duct tape to build a boat for team boat races. Points were accumulated which were used later to purchase items for “Survivor Night”.
The youngest camper making his leap to the boat while competing in a timed event. This team won the first race and came in second for the next race accumulating the most points.
The rope swing and trapeze bar provided major fun and challenge to the daring participants.
Survivor Night – a table was set up with items the 4 teams could “purchase” with the points they accumulated during the “boat” races. No team had enough points to purchase all the items. Items included – snacks, tarp, bug spray, charcoal, charcoal lighter, matches, string, scissors, and flash lights. One team that purchased charcoal traded it for snacks. Each team had 30 minutes to build their shelter and a sustainable fire.
Two teams were created and the “War Games” with Airsoft guns and ammunition were held. This was a major event for the two teams. Each team was challenged to capture the other team’s standard and transport it back to their starting location. Three hits and you were OUT!
Taunting the other team before the signal to begin was mandatory!
Each night a camp fire was built for storytelling and sharing of snacks. I was the designated camp fire builder.
Survivor Night. The boys were allowed to bring their sleeping bags and/or blankets and pillows. Not all boys had sleeping bags.
Looking for a place to build Team 4’s shelter.
Team 1 scrounged their own snacks from the nearby pond. I was offered to share their bounty, but did not want to prevent them getting their fill before turning in.
Ready for a night in the wild. Temperatures hit the high 50’s during the night. I was snug in my camper and even turned on the furnace before taking my morning shower.
It was another great week spent at Camp P82. This was my 4th year to volunteer as camp cook. I have seen several of these boys each year as they grow and receive love and care during their week at camp.
