Boot Scootin' Boogie

Glenn Breazeale | Jul. 19, 2015

As you have no doubt guessed from the photos, last night was a bit of a break from our normal night program routine.  We traded our tennis shoes for dance shoes and our Spotlight camo for collared shirts.  Your boys clean up real nice, I have to say.  Around 5:30, after a much longer shower period, 4 yellow school buses rumbled into camp.  They would take the Hunters, Trappers, and Scouts on the short, 10 minute cross Mountain ride to Camp Desoto.  There, the gracious ladies hosted us for a picnic dinner and line/square dance.  Phil and Marsha and Sarah Hurt, our friends at Desoto, are always gracious hosts.

Boys combed their hair, and hopefully their teeth too.  I heard counselors tell of little boys trying on several shirts, frustrated that they could not get just the right look.  Or remarking, “My Vineyard Vines is dirty, what am I going to do.”  From all reports at Desoto, the girls were no less impressed.

Not to be outdone, we invited the older ladies at Desoto, and their counselors, for a night of dancing at Alpine.  There’s a palpable energy in the air as the boys await their guests.  Confidence and cologne wafted through the air.  We treated the ladies to a fajita buffet, one of my absolute favorite meals.  Tortillas are piled high with any combination of grilled chicken, rice, beans, peppers and onions, cheese, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.  Mrs. Gail makes delicious sopapillas with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar.

Our crew over here danced the evening away to some traditional square dance songs and some new line dances, taught by the Desoto girls.  I am quite confident that the Mentone mail service will be busy over the coming days!  What Carter and I love is that this is such a safe place for boys to have reinforced what you have taught them about interacting with girls and treating them with respect.  And away from cell phones, it is actual face to face interaction that takes the place of relationships via texting.

Today brought a much needed break from a busy week of activities.  The schedule was very similar to what I outlined last week, as well as the meals.  If you didn’t have a chance to read that last week, be sure to check it out here.

Cabin times this afternoon were a perfect chance to slow down.  Several groups of cabins built a fire and cooked S’mores.  Carter hosted several cabins at our house for games and snacks.  Other groups hiked, in search of ripe blackberries or blueberries.  And of course cold, fresh cut watermelon topped off our afternoon.

This week will be a busy one as we begin to get into our final competition in certain activities.  We’ll also celebrate our famed Mountain Day this week, a special celebration with special activities all day.  Most boys who have been here will tell you it is top 3 of their favorite days in camp!  More details to come as it happens.

Thanks for reading and good night for now,

Glenn

 

 

Glenn Breazeale
Glenn Breazeale

Like his own father, Glenn grew up as a camper at Alpine for six summers, coming from Jackson, MS each summer. He has served on staff at Alpine since 1997, working full time as Assistant Director from 2003 to 2005 and Director since 2006. Prior to that he gained experience serving in various capacities including cabin counselor, Head Counselor, Head of Project Adventure (Ropes course), Horseback instructor, and Program Director. Glenn’s love of camping and his desire to preserve the traditions of Alpine drew him back to camp to offer young boys the same opportunities he experienced. He met and fell in love with Carter during a Square Dance with Camp DeSoto.