Taylor, Arizona Vacation - part 2a

Family camps are really for kids, of course, so that is what you're most likely going to see on these pictures. You'll also see that I've included a lot of pictures on a certain activity and then none or only one on another activity. That only means I wasn't able to geet to all activities.

One of the first things we did at camp this year was set out a game of Bolo Ball to keep the kids occupied while grown-ups and parents unpacked vehicles and set up our kitchen and washing area.






This is a hand-made Bolo Ball game that rarely was played according to any rules but it certainly saw a lot of actiity. I was really surprised to see that we still had all the balls and the intact frame when it was time to go home.






It worked so well at a prior Family camp that we did it again this year. Carolyn bought about 150 heavy duty, colored, plastic tumblers that each of the campers decorated with stickers or their name with a magic marker.






The idea is to reduce the number of throw-away cups and still let the kids have a sanitary cup each time they want a drink.








Besides playing, the other thing you'll see most at family camp is cooking and eating. This year one of Leonel's boys took on the responsibility of planning the menu, buying the food, and organizing the food preparation. He did ask for assistance with food preparation and serving but each family group was more than willing to provide that much assistance.




This picture is evidence that it isn't just the old folks who sit around in the shade and just enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Or maybe they're guarding the dessert cooler.






A big hit at camp this year was a form of finger painting. The media were shaving cream and food coloring. As you can seek, the kids are kind of timid at first.

And they're even keeping their clothes relatively clean.




The girls are starting to get into it now.


















































But the boys are still messier. The nice thing about shaving cream is that it makes things really easy to clean up.



















Then the boys start allocating their own media. They're also rolling up their sleeves and diving in to the project.

Can you imagine what this would be if we had used whipping cream instead of shaving lotion!

























The pavilion we used was such a nice one that I wondered why they were setting up a smaller shade system nearby. It turned out to be for a game the next day.




























You'll recognize the universal sign of a food line. People with plates in their hands looking forward expectantly for the plate to be filled. I didn't get the exact count buy I thought I overheard Kevin say they had planned for 125 to 150 people every meal. That's a lot of cooking.

























Although the pavilion had 4 or 6 tables chained down inside it, we found that we needed additional tables and chair to accommodate the size of our group.








Carolyn also had the little ones digging in the ground for the shear pleasure of digging.









Philip is using his mother-in-law's fancy SLR digital camera so he is assigned unofficial camp photographer. One of his duties is to take a "formal" picture of every family/household so we'll have a record of who is here at camp.

Lindsay and Dustin are guinea pigs trying out the back side of Grandma & Grandpa's 50th Anniversary quilt as a bac


We try out different poses as well.









With small households like Leonel & Carol Ann, we decide that we can augment them with other family members.








And try other poses...









Although things can get a little silly.









Another meal, another food line, another serving line.










And still another meal preparation.








And more......








lines....










Kevin, Kandy, and one of their grandchildren.








with a little help from off screen.









We were fortunate to have the use of a beautiful meadow right nest to our camping and parking area. We set up for some of the larger games such as horseshoes, volleyball, beanbag toss, and kite flying.












































































































For those who enjoyed a little more sedate activities, Tammy (Merlin's wife) was showing then caching people how to make a cute little item that looked like a lidded box. When the lid was removed, the sides of the box fell open to reveal 16 or 20 sides for photos or other scrapbook elements. Very cute.












































A pile of wood chips became a treasure hunt when small toys, candy, and coins were scattered into the pile. Smallest kids went first and everyone had a three toy limit.







It seemed to be a big hit by all. And certainly safer than a pinata.







Even Jake helped Mom with the craft project.














































The end of camp meant cleanup time. Everyone appeared to be responsible for the area around their tent. Then they pitched in to clean up the common areas.






Some kept track of the little ones so the rest of the group could do the work.
















I hope to get other pictures for Philip and anyone else that I can then add to this collection. Look for Taylor, Arizona Vacation - part 2b, 2c, etc.