It's been awhile - about 9 months - since I posted to this blog. I figured one Last Post was in order.....
As night began to fall, I sat by the fire watching others prepare food or set up their tents, thinking ahead to Saturday's activities. It was the third weekend in October in 2003, and I was participating in my first Indian Princess campout with my daughter, then just barely 5 years old. After camping the previous month for the first time since my days as an Eagle Scout 28 years earlier, I had decided to give it a go. When I arrived at the Cornfest, I started having second thoughts - this was before the days of camping at the Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla. Instead, we were camping in a large cow pasture at Big Oaks Ranch on the east side of Orlando, surrounded by high grass and lots of cow patties! Nevertheless, we spent Saturday playing War Games and doing crafts, and just having a great time. And then, there was the huge bonfire on Saturday night - these guys are really nuts I thought! This picture was taken that weekend - it's one of my favorites.
As night began to fall, I sat by the fire watching others prepare food or set up their tents, thinking ahead to Saturday's activities. It was the third weekend in October in 2003, and I was participating in my first Indian Princess campout with my daughter, then just barely 5 years old. After camping the previous month for the first time since my days as an Eagle Scout 28 years earlier, I had decided to give it a go. When I arrived at the Cornfest, I started having second thoughts - this was before the days of camping at the Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla. Instead, we were camping in a large cow pasture at Big Oaks Ranch on the east side of Orlando, surrounded by high grass and lots of cow patties! Nevertheless, we spent Saturday playing War Games and doing crafts, and just having a great time. And then, there was the huge bonfire on Saturday night - these guys are really nuts I thought! This picture was taken that weekend - it's one of my favorites.
And so, Chloe and I began our campouts together. Each campout was a different adventure at a different location! It wasn't long before my son Chase started camping with us too - he would hear of all the fun we were having camping and wanted to come along too.
The campouts quickly became the featured attraction in my kids lives - they always looked forward to the next camping adventure! Whether it was swimming and games with the Federation, or a tribal campout like this one at Mutual Mine, it was always a great time!
And then, there was the annual Pinewood Derby. After seeing both of their cars not reach the finish line in their first race, I have to admit that I became obsessed for a time with not only wanting each of my kids to win, but I also wanted them to learn to be good sports, win or lose. Each of them did win, and in the process, they each got a collection of pine cars that I'm sure they will keep all their of lives. Here are the winners:
As time went on, I soon found that I was no longer the new guy in the tribe. One by one, many of the older members began to leave for various reasons - kids getting older or other activities, moving away and such. I began to feel some responsibility to be more active in helping The Mighty Kiowa continue on, picking up where previous members had left off. I guess the best way to describe how I felt about our group, is that I viewed it as sort of a trust - I had a duty to do my part to help keep things going so all of our kids could keep having a great time, and so I could pass the tribe on to future members. In time, I took my turn as tribal chief for two years, then decided to join the Federation council so I could continue to help the program out as - what else? - Federation Fire Keeper! I guess I'm the one who's nuts now for starting the huge bonfires at Cornfest!
Now, I find myself in the same position as some of those dads I met when I first joined The Mighty Kiowa ten years ago. My son will soon be 16, and hasn't camped with us now for more than 3 years; my 14 year old daughter will still go - as long as one of her older friends goes - but it isn't as much of a priority for her anymore either. I've seen this day coming for the past couple of years, and yet, it's still tough to admit it - my Indian Guides/Princess camping days are over. Those who read this wouldn't know unless I told you - I stared at this page for quite awhile before I could bring myself to type those words. I am going to miss all the fun adventures of camping that I experienced with my kids, and the camaraderie of the men I shared all those campouts with. But I also know I leave with many, many fond memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and deeper friendships with the friends who got me started in the program. I also feel good that, at last, we've have a number of new families who we can now pass the tribe on to. Best of all, our camping experiences brought my kids and I closer together - there is no greater reward than that!
Anastasia 2004
Anastasia 2011 - those who remained from 2004
I hope those of you who remain in The Mighty Kiowa will feel the same sense of stewardship that I did. It's now time for me and the others who have been a part of The Mighty Kiowa to hand the tribe off to the newer dads. I hope you continue to keep the tribe strong for your kids, and for the kids to come that you have not even met yet. The value of the time spent on these campouts with your kids is immeasurable!
In the coming months, I'm going to archive the posts on this blog - this one actually brings the total to 50 - and eventually take it down. I'd invite you, especially the more recent members, to scan through some of the older posts to see some of the things we did in recent years. I am also continuing on the Federation board this year to help where I can with preparations for the State Campout that we host this year. And of course, as your Federation Firekeeper, I couldn't resist one more opportunity to light the fire at Cornfest, so make sure you are there!
All the best
Yatahey!
Chief Bald Eagle
Federation Fire Keeper
