The boys are going to CAMP II

The rules for camp were simple. At first they seemed tough and strict and practically impossible to follow, but after the first day you pretty much didn't even notice them. Stephen and Jarred thought for sure that they would end up in trouble their first year, but surprisingly there was not one single problem. No food in the cabins. That's rule number one. A lesson learned out in the fields while in the Corps. If you want a furry sleeping partner that just might bite you, go ahead and take some food to bed with you. All boys were fed well for 3 full meals and two snacks a day, so there was never anyone who felt the need to hide food in their locker or bed. Number two...No radios. This was for several reasons. There was enough going on that there was no need to be distracted by all that radio junk. If it was too loud during an emergency, instructions might not be heard. Besides, during certain times of the day, there was music broadcast over a loud speaker system. Like during lunch hour and during crafts that didn't require power tools. And should there be an emergency, the pa system would cut off the music and then broadcast the needed instructions. The speakers also played reveille at dawn, and taps at dusk. Told ya the Major liked things a bit militarily styled. Even though he was no longer there, certain traditions endured. A lot of things had a taste of the military but there was no marching or drill. This was camp after all, not boot camp. First thing in the morning, when reveille sounded, was clean up time. Get dressed, make your bunks, stow your things away, and then head off to breakfast. It was the cabin counselors job to run the broom across the floor each morning. Stephen and Jarred learned the year before that it was faster to help one another make their bunks up than to try and do their own individually. The requirement was to only have the covers pulled up and tucked in, but after a bunk making demonstration, most of the boys enjoyed making them military style. Jarred and Stephen were the first to get dressed, finish their bunks and be out the door that first morning. The cabin counselor was quite impressed. I don't know for sure, but I think that they practiced at home a few times the week before.

Everyone lined up inside the chow hall. It was first come, first served. But there would be order. And politeness was expected and most often observed. And there was no need to hurry to be first in line. There was always enough food for everyone. The Majors motto for the chow hall was, "NO ONE" walks away hungry. So there was always more than enough. After a day or two the cook would have a better idea as to how much to make so as not to waste food. I wasn't there the year before. I was a bit on the small side. But this year there wasn't very much wasted at all. I was more than happy to get a plate full of leftovers. Eggs, and bacon, and all sorts of good stuff.

When camp was first set up, it was the Majors wife Betty that was in charge of setting up the kitchen. She even ran it for the first 5 years. And if you think the Major was tough, Betty's dad was a 20 year veteran cook in the Navy, and Betty was trained to run a very tight ship, uh, I mean kitchen. After 3 surprise inspections by the health department the kitchen at Camp WB was presented an award of excellence by the State. And nothing has changed since. Top quality food, service and cleanliness that would make a bar of soap blush. Each year the kitchen help hired for the three months of summer, was pre-warned of the requirements they will have to live up to. And those who had worked that kitchen were often sought after for other jobs, because of their disciplined training and skills. 'Kitchen Duty Camp W.B.' was a good thing to have on your resume'.

So, it's the first morning of camp. All the boys are at breakfast. And as usual for boys, they are shoveling in the food. Then, Jarred winks over at Stephen who reaches behind Gary and taps John on the shoulder who picks up his glass of milk and makes a slurping sound which gets the attention of Frankie who then stands up and starts to sing the Star Spangled Banner. Everyone drops their forks and spoons, stands up and faces the flag, places their right hand over their hearts and joins in on the song. Even I stopped eating, and stood up at attention. I sing and all but, this is not one of my best songs. So I'll just stand and look proudly upon the Stars and Stripes. The song ended in a nice harmony, and a few Amen's. However this light hearted prank earned the Antler the first morning clean up. This meant plate scraping duty. But it was worth it. Jarred was seated where he had the best view to see when the most people would have a mouth full of food. The fun was watching the food particles fly from the others mouths while trying to sing. Every one finished up and headed out side for a quick 2 mile hike while table 13 (Stephen and Jarred's Table) went on to Stack - Carry - Pass - Sort - Scrape - Spray - and Load all the dishes. Twenty one tables, with approximately 140 plates, glasses, and a 3 piece flatware set with each. Wash the tables, sweep the floor, and secure the trash as was described on the duty roster. We were out in the woods after all. There were hungry critters out there. Food trash was put on a secured compost pile , about half a mile away, for future use on the landscaping. All other trash was hosed down, crushed and placed in a bear, racoon, and other critter safe container. In twenty some years there was not even one animal incident.

Later on that afternoon..............

Henry the Dog