Tried to get the whole scout troop together for a campout this weekend, but only one other dad and I could make it. Busy weekend as the kids in our area start school tomorrow, but I took my son and my buddy took his, and we had a great weekend at camp.
We generally have several camp-outs throughout the fall and winter, and also in spring. So we spent the weekend collecting some firewood, cleaning up the camp (trimming weeds, trees, etc), and also did a project with the boys....we built a new keyhole firepit.....
The old pit was nothing more that a heaped up pile of rocks in a oval shape....tripping hazards everywhere and it looked terrible. But it was probably there for over 30 years and needed a revamp....
We took the boys up on the ridge and gathered all new rocks, explaining to them what to look for in good masonry rocks. They did a great job, and learned a lot too.
Found some "chicken of the woods" mushrooms while scavenging rocks.....those bright orange 'shrooms glow in the dark forest....
![[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109522-0ad15e0ea9c2f7b1c4c2e74fbb6f6209.jpg?hash=e4hm2bHkrB "[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....")
After the old rocks and ash were cleaned out and the area leveled, it was time to build the pit.
![[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109523-387ec1cdac070bacb84b187d5555dc29.jpg?hash=_t0kRV7bFh "[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....")
![[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109524-36ef81c20a07888c19c35f62d0bbda5f.jpg?hash=0rARpr8pWV "[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....")
Kids helped out, learned a lot, and did a great job. Not to mention we started our fire with the bow drill friction method. They ate a well-earned supper of foil packed vegetables cooked on the coals, and burgers and cheddar bratwursts....
![[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109525-f7ef9865bcc327b4587351b4211c831a.jpg?hash=4Ooaw9KdA8 "[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....")
![[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109526-06d98bebb0e0f18dde91fc5f6b4a2eb3.jpg?hash=u5CPGzTEPp "[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....")
![[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109527-7e1a46b6225678c853f463afc90c0f24.jpg?hash=rSVGob31xa "[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....")
![[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109528-0f8048ca09805ef0b3074f5319eaf63b.jpg?hash=JqEiy6k5Kx "[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....")
Even had some bacon, sausage, taters and eggs on the firepit this morning for breakfast...
![[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109529-48a136d848182a08e210e9cff11e1339.jpg?hash=nHUeu4Qc8o "[Hearth.com] Last hoorah before school starts.....")
I gotta say I really enjoy spending time with my youngest son. I love all three of my kids more than life itself, but he's a lot like his old man. He loves the woods, loves to learn to do things himself, and is just a pleasure to be around. He reminds me so much of my Grandpa, who passed 8 years ago and was and still is my biggest hero.......
We generally have several camp-outs throughout the fall and winter, and also in spring. So we spent the weekend collecting some firewood, cleaning up the camp (trimming weeds, trees, etc), and also did a project with the boys....we built a new keyhole firepit.....
The old pit was nothing more that a heaped up pile of rocks in a oval shape....tripping hazards everywhere and it looked terrible. But it was probably there for over 30 years and needed a revamp....
We took the boys up on the ridge and gathered all new rocks, explaining to them what to look for in good masonry rocks. They did a great job, and learned a lot too.
Found some "chicken of the woods" mushrooms while scavenging rocks.....those bright orange 'shrooms glow in the dark forest....
After the old rocks and ash were cleaned out and the area leveled, it was time to build the pit.
Kids helped out, learned a lot, and did a great job. Not to mention we started our fire with the bow drill friction method. They ate a well-earned supper of foil packed vegetables cooked on the coals, and burgers and cheddar bratwursts....
Even had some bacon, sausage, taters and eggs on the firepit this morning for breakfast...
I gotta say I really enjoy spending time with my youngest son. I love all three of my kids more than life itself, but he's a lot like his old man. He loves the woods, loves to learn to do things himself, and is just a pleasure to be around. He reminds me so much of my Grandpa, who passed 8 years ago and was and still is my biggest hero.......
