usvi-on-line
my camping trip
my camping trip
Well I have been back since Sunday night. It has taken me three full days to even begin to to talk about my trip or do anything. We had an eventful trip to say the least.
As I said earlier we kayaked out to a barrier island. It was a beautiful day on the way out but the wind was very high. Looking back I don't think they should have let us go. Let me just give you the condensed version. A 2 hour paddle (4 miles) took us 4 1/2 hours. By the time we got there, some girls had to be towed in and were approaching being physically sick. The lunch was on the island. The outfitting company had made an error and sent it to the island instead of putting them in our kayaks. This was the first of several missteps by the company.
The rest of the day was lovely, except the winds were so high, we could barely get the tent up. Thank God I had just completed a training class and knot tying was fresh in my mind. After the class I thought I would never use a knot for the rest of my life, and there I was tying the hell out of them 2 weeks later.
The girls got to clam, it was the funnest thing ever....digging on hands and knees in the deepest mud imaginable. That was a ball.
We had dinner and smores. Then one girl threw up. Always happens.
Didn't sleep a minute that night. Bugs in the tent...and some wierd noise all night outside the tent which the guide said was a kind of a frog. Never heard a frog before that sounded like someone chopping wood all night.
We have a lovely hike in the morning after packing up and then set off to kayak back. It is gorgeous. The winds has died down and we are making great time.
Then we see a tiny black cloud in the distance which in less than 20 minutes turns into a huge thunderstorm. I cant even go into the details, but basically me and my 11 Girl Scouts and another mother (and the guides) paddle for our lives to get to shore before the storm. Thunder is banging and we see lightning in the distance. We get to a deserted island with absolutely no shelter and only sea grass on it. We have to spread our kayaks out and lie back in our kayaks with our raincoats over us...like in coffins for an hour and a half (it might have been longer I kid you not) while a thunderstorm rages around us.
It was terrifying. There were girls scared sh**less. I never knew that people actually might crap in thier pants until that day when I almost did. To make a very long story short after screaming at the guide to call to get someone to rescue us(after this had gone on for well over an hour) we find there is no way anyone can and that we have to wait it out. The entire process takes forever. Ended with the soaking wet girls having to get back in the kayaks and paddle back in the thunder when the storm had "passed" becuase there was another one on the way.
It totally sucked.
The girls were so brave.
Then we had to get them changed and drive all the way back to Charlotte (over 3 hours) through pouring rain and got home at 10 pm.
I can't belive the parents in the troop are not furious at me. Maybe they are behind my back.
5 or 6 girls were so tired they missed school Monday. My daughter is going to the doctor today because she might have pneumonia (she is asthmatic).
I haven't been able to stop crying for three days.
It has been terrible. I am so thankful they are ok. Praise God.
As I said earlier we kayaked out to a barrier island. It was a beautiful day on the way out but the wind was very high. Looking back I don't think they should have let us go. Let me just give you the condensed version. A 2 hour paddle (4 miles) took us 4 1/2 hours. By the time we got there, some girls had to be towed in and were approaching being physically sick. The lunch was on the island. The outfitting company had made an error and sent it to the island instead of putting them in our kayaks. This was the first of several missteps by the company.
The rest of the day was lovely, except the winds were so high, we could barely get the tent up. Thank God I had just completed a training class and knot tying was fresh in my mind. After the class I thought I would never use a knot for the rest of my life, and there I was tying the hell out of them 2 weeks later.
The girls got to clam, it was the funnest thing ever....digging on hands and knees in the deepest mud imaginable. That was a ball.
We had dinner and smores. Then one girl threw up. Always happens.
Didn't sleep a minute that night. Bugs in the tent...and some wierd noise all night outside the tent which the guide said was a kind of a frog. Never heard a frog before that sounded like someone chopping wood all night.
We have a lovely hike in the morning after packing up and then set off to kayak back. It is gorgeous. The winds has died down and we are making great time.
Then we see a tiny black cloud in the distance which in less than 20 minutes turns into a huge thunderstorm. I cant even go into the details, but basically me and my 11 Girl Scouts and another mother (and the guides) paddle for our lives to get to shore before the storm. Thunder is banging and we see lightning in the distance. We get to a deserted island with absolutely no shelter and only sea grass on it. We have to spread our kayaks out and lie back in our kayaks with our raincoats over us...like in coffins for an hour and a half (it might have been longer I kid you not) while a thunderstorm rages around us.
It was terrifying. There were girls scared sh**less. I never knew that people actually might crap in thier pants until that day when I almost did. To make a very long story short after screaming at the guide to call to get someone to rescue us(after this had gone on for well over an hour) we find there is no way anyone can and that we have to wait it out. The entire process takes forever. Ended with the soaking wet girls having to get back in the kayaks and paddle back in the thunder when the storm had "passed" becuase there was another one on the way.
It totally sucked.
The girls were so brave.
Then we had to get them changed and drive all the way back to Charlotte (over 3 hours) through pouring rain and got home at 10 pm.
I can't belive the parents in the troop are not furious at me. Maybe they are behind my back.
5 or 6 girls were so tired they missed school Monday. My daughter is going to the doctor today because she might have pneumonia (she is asthmatic).
I haven't been able to stop crying for three days.
It has been terrible. I am so thankful they are ok. Praise God.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
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toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm
Sorry it turned out so badly. It sounded like this trip had the possiblity of being a great experience. At least it's a trip that your girls will never forget.
I accompanied my wife to a GS campout with her troup when the other leader had to back out and none of the other mothers were able or willing to go. The weather turned cold and windy with occasional rain. The girls and my wife slept in the tents. I "had" to sleep in one of the admin bldgs in the campground because of my "maleness" (I felt guilty but warm all night). I evidently missed all the fun! This was about 10 years ago. She still hears about that camping trip when she funs into one of her old troup.
I accompanied my wife to a GS campout with her troup when the other leader had to back out and none of the other mothers were able or willing to go. The weather turned cold and windy with occasional rain. The girls and my wife slept in the tents. I "had" to sleep in one of the admin bldgs in the campground because of my "maleness" (I felt guilty but warm all night). I evidently missed all the fun! This was about 10 years ago. She still hears about that camping trip when she funs into one of her old troup.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Oh DJmom - I am so sorry to hear about all the difficulties you encountered on your trip. That really sucks!
As a Mom, I wouldn't be mad at you, I would be thankful that you stuck it out with my kid and brought her home safely. Tired, maybe, but safe. You did your best - sounds like the outfitting company failed.
I hope your daughter feels better soon.
You're a good Mom.
As a Mom, I wouldn't be mad at you, I would be thankful that you stuck it out with my kid and brought her home safely. Tired, maybe, but safe. You did your best - sounds like the outfitting company failed.
I hope your daughter feels better soon.
You're a good Mom.
Oh my, that IS awful!
They are never going to forget that trip. Yikes!
I was on the crew team in college and I remember getting caught in a horrible storm like that when we were on the water.
Even though it was inland, the swells were huge. The boat got swamped and lighting struck several trees along the shore. It was terrifying.
Hopefully everyone will be able to calm down soon.
They are never going to forget that trip. Yikes!
I was on the crew team in college and I remember getting caught in a horrible storm like that when we were on the water.
Even though it was inland, the swells were huge. The boat got swamped and lighting struck several trees along the shore. It was terrifying.
Hopefully everyone will be able to calm down soon.
Oh, I feel your pain!! I'm a scout leader too. I have a troop of 18 ten and eleven year olds. It never fails, no matter what outing we do someone either throws up or "has an accident" if you know what I mean and is looking for dry pants. Things very rarely go as smoothly as I think they should, I've learned to expect the unexpected. More times than I can count I've found myself wondering how in the heck I ended up where I was. My idea of camping is a three star hotel instead of a four star! Our last outing of the year is next month and we're taking a two day white water rafting/tubing trip down Antietem and the Shenandoah. We're spending the night in TREE HOUSES! How do I get myself into these things?! The girls are beyond excited so I guess there's my answer. 
Give yourself a pat on the back...you did great!
Give yourself a pat on the back...you did great!
.Waterguy-that is how I know it is bad...I don't even want my celebratory painkiller, rum, wine or anything!
The good news is that I just got back from the doctor and Dana doesn't have pneumonia, at least yet...she was put on oral steriods for an asthma flare and virus.
Thanks for the kind words. I do have about 100 great pictures, so once the shock subsides I am going to put together a great video slide show for the girls and make some sort of "survivor" tee shirt and have a big "to do" over it.
I think we will come out of it stronger as a troop...I am just humbled by "Mother Nature". And I could have used another parent volunteer there instead of just one. Which I didn't get and I will insist on in the future. Time for the parents to step up a little more often and share the responsibility!
The good news is that I just got back from the doctor and Dana doesn't have pneumonia, at least yet...she was put on oral steriods for an asthma flare and virus.
Thanks for the kind words. I do have about 100 great pictures, so once the shock subsides I am going to put together a great video slide show for the girls and make some sort of "survivor" tee shirt and have a big "to do" over it.
I think we will come out of it stronger as a troop...I am just humbled by "Mother Nature". And I could have used another parent volunteer there instead of just one. Which I didn't get and I will insist on in the future. Time for the parents to step up a little more often and share the responsibility!
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
OMG, I feel your pain. Trust me the girls will be talking about this trip til the end of time. All other camping trips will be boring in comparison. You did a fine job, lessons were learned and everyone returned safe and sound. Try not to be so hard on yourself, lessons were learned and all children were returned safe and secure (and wiser). All other camping trips will pale in comparison and they will discuss (and bond) this trip til the end of time. I do think a discussion with parents would be in order, letting them know more involvement is needed, using this trip specifically to drive the point home. I spent 20 years coordinating and executing many girl scout activities and getting parents involved was always the difficult and challenging part of executing big events. I'm afraid I never did master it completely and have little advice to give (although guilt sometimes works). But keep up the good work and know that someday, somewhere it will be appreciated by a little girl who has grown into a independent, secure woman. Trust me, this I know.
Deb
