Timber wolf boy’s winter camp
Just wanted to pass along a quick summary of the Timber Wolf boys camp this past weekend.
Camp started on Friday with a short drive to Harpers Ferry, and before we even pulled out of the parking lot the boys were already talking about what was in store for them on the trip. Upon arrival, camp started with our opening ceremony and a discussion of some of the Timber Wolf rules (such as the code of silence, buddy system, being kind and respectful, etc). Afterwards, we played a couple games then had dinner. After dinner, the boys practiced their skits and songs that they would perform during the campfire later that night. The campfire followed, which was a lot of fun. The night ended with the rosary, which most of the boys fell asleep through (I’m sure Our Lady was still pleased).
Saturday started sharply at 7:00 a.m. and the boys were ready to go! The day began with breakfast and then a drive over to the Priory for Mass at 9:30. The boys, for the most part, were really good in Mass. After Mass, we had a Timber Wolf Promise Ceremony for our four new Timber Wolves. It was a great ceremony and I couldn’t be more proud of the boys who have worked so hard to earn their promise badges. After the ceremony we headed back to Harpers Ferry just in time for lunch. After lunch, we took a 6 mile hike on the C&O canal. In spite of the cold, the boys had a great time and really seemed to enjoy being outside. The hike took a little longer than expected so by the time we got back to Thomas Hall it was almost time for dinner. So after a short game we ate dinner and cleaned up. This was followed by a quiz game where the boys got to show off their mental abilities–and did they ever! After the game, the boys had a little free time, which ended with bedtime and night prayers. Once the boys were all in the sleeping bags, I told them the Jungle Book story about Rikki-tikki-tavi’s great war. I’m not sure how many stayed awake until the end, but more than one timber wolf asked me how the story ended the next morning.
Sunday started at 7:00 a.m., again with a quick breakfast and off to Mass at the Priory. After Mass, we concluded camp with the Great Howl, and it was wonderful to see the new Timber Wolves participate (for the first time) with great zeal and joy!
During the weekend we made a point of stressing one of the Timber Wolf laws, which is “A Timber Wolf is always clean.” We focused on this because the boys occasionally need reminded that being clean not only includes being physically clean, but spiritually clean as well. This is especially true for boys this age who can often say or do things to be funny or for attention that are often not nice or even crude. But the good thing about the Den is that, God willing, the boys will help each other grow in virtue and holiness through positive reinforcement and positive peer-pressure.
Overall, it was a great weekend of brotherhood and fun. The Den, I’m sure, grew closer together. And with the welcoming of four new Timber Wolves to our growing family made the weekend even better. Congratulations to Tommy, Jack, Jacob, and Christopher!