July 2 - 7, 2018
Going to summer camp is without a doubt one of my favorite memories from childhood. Even though camping and fishing in the outdoors was introduced to me long before summer camp, there’s something really special about going to a place dedicated to teaching young people valuable skills while providing a wide variety of fun activities. I also remember how great it felt to have a little more independence to wonder camp and learn to follow a scheduled itinerary. The massive meals served three times a day at the mess hall wasn’t a bad thing for a kid who loved to eat too. So naturally I was very excited to take my son to camp so he could have these same experiences.
This was actually the second time Jake attended summer camp. The previous year was spent at Camp Whitsett located in Kernville, Ca. I actually went to this camp on 2 separate occasions as a Boy Scout, but Camp Emerald Bay was the very first camp I attended at age 11. I have a ton of great memories of both camps and really enjoyed revisiting these places with my son.
Camp Emerald Bay is located on the northwest side of Santa Catalina Island off the coast of southern California, about 22 miles south-southwest of Los Angeles. To get to camp you must take a ferry out of the Port of San Pedro. As you see in the video, the boat is loaded with kids and gear and that’s just the beginning of this week long adventure. The excitement for camp builds while traveling to the island as you stand at the bow and the wind smacks you in the face and you taste the ocean air on your lips. Camp Emerald Bay is well known in the world of Scouting due to the wide variety of water related activities and its unique location. This camp is a special place and it will be an unforgettable experience for you and for your companions.
For more information regarding Camp Emerald Bay.
www.campemeral...
While at camp both the adults and the youth are engaged everyday in exciting events. While the boys worked on a variety of merit badges like kayaking, canoeing, swimming, lifesaving, and leather-work to name a few, the adults were involved in many of these same activities. We shot at the rifle and archery ranges, snorkeled, mountain biked and even got creative in the craft area. There was never a dull moment, even when taking a nap. If I remember correctly, the boys earned 4 merit badges each and that was on top of all the fun activities they participated throughout the week. One of the pinnacle events at camp is called War Canoes. This consists of an early morning canoe trek up the coast a few miles with overnight beach camping at Parsons Cove. While at the cove there were more hiking, snorkeling and just plain old hanging out at the beach activities. Bright and early the next morning we we’re back in the canoes paddling our way back to camp with just a couple more days of left.
If you aren’t a boy scout, that’s okay. Catalina has tons of stuff you can do to enjoy all over the island. Here’s a link to the Catalina Chamber of Commerce. Check it out. www.catalinach...
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Music featured:
Projections (Instrumental Version)
Daniel Gunnarsson
www.epidemicso...