During our week-long stay, I earned two merit badges: Swimming and Bird Study. The hardest part of the Swimming Merit Badge requirements was the immersion in the lake while wearing my clothes. I had to jump in to the lake wearing all my clothes over my bathing suit. I then had to take my shirt and pants off to make them into floatation devices. I had to tie knots in them and then I had to blow into my shirt and scoop air into my pants to inflate them. It was so hard that it took me two tries! In Bird Study I saw and heard new birds like the Kingfisher, European Swallow and Olive-sided Warbler. I also had to write short reports about the feeding and migrating habits of 20 birds that I've seen near my house.
During free time at camp, I shot a .22 rifle for the first time, and I actually hit the target with all five bullets I shot. I also learned how to shoot a bow and arrow, but I didn't do as well with that. Because it was my first summer as a Boy Scout (after moving up from Cub Scouts), I participated in a program called "Climbing Eagles" where I worked on requirements to move up in my ranks. I learned the proper way to make a campfire and cook on it, how to use a compass and map to navigate and how to tie lots of different knots that can be used around a campsite. I had a great time at summer camp and can't wait to go again next year.
I just finished my soccer season. I was on the yellow team this summer. I really like playing defense, but I also played midfield and forward for a few halves. I even scored a goal in our last game! I played goalie a few times, but one of the times I had to play for the opposing team. I really hated having to block my own team's shots! I did manage to save some goals when I played for my team, too.
The summer is moving fast. I've done a lot of interesting things and there's still so much more to do!
www.stardate.org
Want to know where to look for cool constellations? Want to see cool pictures of stars and planets? Just want to learn about space? This is definitely the place! With weekly stargazing tips and lots of cool articles about, well, space, of course! So if you love the stars, here is a place to really "look up" to!
www.exploratorium.edu
This is a great science web site from the Exploratorium Science center in San Francisco. My mom and dad went to the Exploratorium when they used to live in California. The web site has all kinds of activities and answers to common questions like: Why does my voice sound different when I hear it on the answering machine?
This meteor shower is mostly for the Northern Hemisphere. Set your alarm and go outside at 2AM in your own time zone (the very early morning hours of August 12th) and look near the constellation Perseus (hence the name.) Perseus is in the Eastern sky and just to the right you will see the constellation Aries and as a bonus, Mars will be to the right of Aries. The showers last from late July to mid-August, but this should be the night the Earth goes through the most dust from the comet's tail. You may be able to see hundreds of meteors!
Find nature in you own backyard on August 20th as people all across America go camping in their backyards. Grab your sleeping bags, family and friends and have fun!
Gabrielle played on her first soccer team in June. She loved running around with other kids her age. She also enjoyed how her coach let the kids tell jokes at half time. She even scored a few goals during the season.
Gabrielle went to our Grandparents' house alone for the first time! She went for a few days while Nicholas was at camp. Her favorite part of the trip was going to a stuffed animal store and making her own stuffed unicorn! She also really liked playing with our grandparents' dog.
According to Gabrielle, "This summer has been great!"