Do you like the Grit man?

Glenn Breazeale | Jun. 27, 2016

After many days without as much as a drop of rain, this afternoon’s thunder showers were welcome sights.  We fit in 4 of 5 regular activity periods before sending everyone to cabins to wait out the storm. Turns out the storm didn’t really materialize, it went north of us.  We did get some rain.  Boys played Uno and other card games in the cabin for about an hour.  Sometimes games in the cabin turn into some of the best memories in camp.  Especially if they don’t happen that often.  We are grateful for such nice weather this term.

This morning as activities resumed after a restful Sunday, tennis began the first rounds of the Alpine Open.  Each age group competes through a single elimination seeded tourney. Excitement builds with each round.

Minor Sports is holding it’s annual Petanque tournament.  Bocce Ball for the common person.  Petanque works with the finely honed tastes of Minor Sports.  Boys are encouraged to wear collared shirts (they love the made up silliness of it all).  After pairing up and picking a team name (let’s be honest, this is the most important part), they compete against other pairs in their class.

Earth Games constructed a Grit man with some of the leftover grits from breakfast. The kicker is that they then walk around camp asking passersby what they think about their artistic creation.  Any negative comments about the grit man and you better run like crazy.  Because otherwise you are going to get pelted with grits.  Carter, having been on to the grit man since a young age, wisely strolled up to the class wearing a raincoat, zipped and hooded tight. By the time she got to my office her raincoat had remnants of grits on it.  I guess she didn’t think it was a very good looking grit man!

Some Braves and Chiefs taking climbing had a chance to leave camp for the day and try their hand on some real rocks.  Sandrock is a natural cropping of large boulders and rocks about 45 minutes from camp.  Higher Ground, our trusted guide service, plus two of our ropes staff, belayed the boys all day on climb after climb.

This evening the rain died down just in time for everyone to get a shower and get to dinner fresh and clean.  Chicken spaghetti, buttered toast, and green salad with tomatoes greeted us.

Thanks for reading and good night,

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.