CJ 2013

Day 1: With eager faces we piled onto the plane in full scout uniform talking about CJ and the activities we would be doing.

After a long and boring 4 hour flight we stepped off and got our gear onto carts and onto the bus. When we finally arrived at camp we carried all our heavy gear to our campsite and when all the gear was set up at camp we threw a tarp over our gear due to light rain.

The tents went up very fast and everybody had their gear in them, then we went to set up our shelter it was pretty easy. When the stoves where in the shelter we waited a little bit till opening. When we arrived at opening they were singing a song, after the song the camp leader spoke but I couldn’t hear most of it as I was sitting away from the speakers.  When we got back to camp it was free time so I went badge trading, it was very fun and the crowd was huge.  That night the PL’s and APL’s cooked mug up. After mug up I went to be with my tent mates Joel Vangemert, Joey, my brother, and Lucas Johnson.

Day 2: When we woke up in the morning we had a nice breakfast and made our lunch, we then headed off for spiritual time where we listened to many different prayers and learned about the scout compass.

After Spiritual time we had future world which was basically pioneering.  It was not a very exciting activity because we did a low ropes course where our low ropes activities weren’t very fun, next we did an activity called the amazing race, where we had an envelope filled with activities we had to complete.  After the activities it was free time so I went badge trading, had some ice cream and had dinner. 

Day 3: When I woke up on day 3 I had a nice breakfast with great oatmeal.  After breakfast we had free time which I spent badge trading and exploring the X centre. Then our patrol, the hungry hippos, went to underwater world, which I could not participate in due to my ruptured eardrum.  After a couple of hours sitting around we headed back to camp where we had free time which I again spent badge trading.

Day 4: Today our patrol was on duty patrol so we cooked and cleaned and the worst of all, an early wakeup call so we could cook breakfast. When we woke up at 6:00 a.m. we started cooking and making bagged lunches for the other 2 patrols that were going to the Calgary Stampede.  That day we had the X centre which was basically free time. During the X centre I went badge trading, programmed a robot and went to the internet café.  Next we did water crafting which I again couldn’t do. When we got back to camp I noticed we had a to do list for the spirit of the jamboree award. I became extremely interested and decided that we should invite a troop over for dinner because it was just our patrol. After some difficulties with planning, that I smoothed out, everything worked out just fine.

Day 5: Today was the best day by far as we were going to the West Edmonton Mall!  After a hurried breakfast we hopped on the buses and headed to the mall. When we arrived, we went to the bathroom and then the food court to eat, I had McDonalds.  After eating I went Ice Skating and did a ropes course, then I headed down to the water park and waited for everybody else. When everyone was there I headed off to play bowling with scouter Don.  After that we went to Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner, I had a great pasta.

Day 6: Today we had archery which was very fun, I wasn’t that great at it. Archery was a short activity with a long wait.  After archery we had brontosaurus riding where we played steal the bone, then we moved onto leather craft which was impossible, when suddenly the field was evacuated.  When we got back to camp it was raining and the wind had knocked our shelter over.  After that we had free time which we spent badge trading.

Day 7: We had duty patrol again so we woke up early and cooked, we made French toast.  After that we went to Fly like a pterodactyl where we did drawing activities, Frisbee golf and dinosaur games.  Then when it came to the zipline line it was time to leave so they said we could come back later.  After lunch I packed up my stuff and then we left to go to the zipline again, it was very fun.  After that, more free time and badge trading   

Day 8: Today we packed up all the gear and left for the airport. I bought some dinner and got on the plane. When we got back I was happy to see my parents we headed home and I remembered what a great time I had at CJ 2013.

by: Joshua P-M, Hungry Hippos Patrol