Certifying
new
Certifying
new
Junior Rangers
The Black Pond Ranger Station will be certifying the first 35 applicants to apply who can demonstrate the skills necessary to become an official Black Pond Junior Ranger. Upon completion, all cadets will be presented with their very own Black Pond Junior Ranger neckerchief during an official ceremony held onsite.
April 2, 2008
A few months ago, our nephew, Braxton asked to bring classmates to our property as part of their "Extended Learning" project for school. They had a budget of just $2,000.00 for 10 boys and their chaperones to spend a week exploring the State of Washington. The group of 14 and 15 year-olds planned to come campout with a campfire dinner of s'mores and hot dogs, outdoor movies with popcorn and hide-and-seek in the dark.
What they didn't know is that the month of April brought nighttime temperatures that were below freezing. Naturally, we had no intentions of them getting any sleep. As the clock neared midnight, there were tent raids, "Big Foot" and bear growling, screaming, tents were collapsed in the dark and there was the happy echo of laughter through the woods.
The next morning, I awoke to a sea of sleeping bags on every available space of floor in our house. The obstacle course of sleeping boys dispersed quickly with the assistance of an air horn...
JUNIOR RANGER CADETS
CHALLENGE
Pitch a tent
The 14 and 15-year-old boys formed three separate teams.
There were three on each team.
In the yard were three tents.
The winners -- TEAM #3!
The April 2008 cadets were given the "pitch a tent challenge". The adults stood back and watched the drama unfold. What the teams didn't know was that the winners would have their sleeping accommodations "upgraded" to the Ranger Station.
Team #3 got off to a strong start and finished in record time!
Team #1 had slow start, waiting for Team #3 to finish, all the while planning a hostile takeover.
Team #2 also started off at a slow -- but steady pace -- they demonstrated teamwork and achieved their goal!
Ultimately, all nine boys gathered together to finish the Team #1 tent.
NECKERCHIEF CEREMONY
Gather around
the campfire
"Everyone raise your right hand and repeat after me..."
I, (STATE NAME) do solemnly swear on my honor to do the following as a member of Black Pond Ranger Station:
Prevent forest fires
Put litter in its place
Plant and preserve our native trees
Never put a squirrel in my pocket
Never turn a moose loose in the Ranger Station
Be kind and considerate to others
Never tickle a bear
Strive to represent the Black Pond Ranger Station to the best of my ability
Present each applicant with their neckerchief
Fashion Statements
Movie Time
This was a first at Black Pond Farm! The screen and sound system are used for "Movies In The Park". The sound system and picture were incredible...and really, really loud.
Had it not been so cold, we would have hooked up the Wii game system, so the boys could play tennis, golf or bowling in the yard...on the huge screen!
We kept the little kids warm in one of the tents, where they happily munched on popcorn in their warm sleeping bags.
