Merry Christmas from Mentone!

Glenn Breazeale | Jul. 20, 2015

It might seem like an ordinary July Monday where you are.  Not at Alpine.  It’s Christmas Eve here at camp.  Summer Christmas that is.  For the Hunters, our youngest boys in camp, this is a special afternoon and evening.  This afternoon boys took turns decorating Christmas cookies, making paper chains for our Christmas tree, and crafting gifts for their secret Santa.

Each boy will give a small gift and get one in return.  Plus they’ll each hang a sock in the Lodge by the fireplace (think maybe a tad bit less presentation than Pottery Barn Christmas magazine material).  All the same, summer Santa will bring some fun toys and candy for these boys.  Tonight Mr. O will read the Christmas story.  In the morning they’ll get a visit and photo op with Santa.

We’ll all get in the Christmas spirit tonight at dinner, singing some Christmas carols.  And the crowd favorite, 12 days of Alpine Christmas, including such favorites as 7 Nutty Buddies and 2 fat dogs.  Rumor is that tomorrow’s lunch will be Christmas traditional.  Turkey and dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

We’ve all enjoyed a nice, cooler start to the week.  Clouds loomed overhead for much of the day, along with a nice breeze.  We never really got any rain to speak of but we enjoyed probably a 5 to 10 degree cool down.  For lunch we enjoyed chicken fingers with our Alpine famous Shazaam sauce, butter beans, mashed potatoes, and rolls, along with the salad bar.

Tonight, the older boys will celebrate Christmas Eve with all sorts of fun games around camp, by age group.

Before breakfast this morning, a group of Chiefs embarked on an all day rock climbing trip.  This is an Alpine tradition that dates back to even my camper days and before.  Boys enrolled in our Climbing class who have reached the age of Brave or Chief (7th-9th grades) are offered a chance to test their skills on real routes.  Sandrock Village, a county owned conglomeration of huge boulders, serves as a fine spot to hop on belay.  We use a guide service called Higher Ground, a capable group of experienced and certified outdoorsman, who set up the routes and provide coaching.  They spend all day climbing 40, 60, and even taller boulders, always on belay of course.

Higher Ground also leads every cabin of Warriors on a half day rappelling tour at Desoto Falls.  Desoto Falls is one of the great natural resources in our area, a 100 foot waterfall on a part of Little River upstream from our section.  Just off to the side there are some great cliffs for rappelling.  All this week each cabin of Warriors will have a chance to try their hand, starting with two cabins today.  It’s challenging and stretching for most, which is why we love it.  No one is required to do it but all are encouraged.

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.