Busy Weekend

Glenn Breazeale | Jun. 16, 2018

So much has happened in the last few days I’m not sure where to start. The weather has been idyllic. Tonight as we left a fine dinner of BBQ pulled pork, baked beans, potato chips and cole slaw, a breeze blew threw camp removing almost all hints of humidity. It has been hotter the last few days with mostly sunny skies. But hotter on the Mountain this time of year is high 80’s. Not a drop of rain.

The last couple nights all of our Scouts and Warriors (completing 5th and 6th graders) have ventured into the woods for camping overnights. Divided into smaller groups of several cabins per campsite, they carry sleeping bags and bug spray and anticipation. Counselors pack in food and water, first aid kits, and of course the campout staple, S’mores. Cool nights and clear, starry skies have provided the perfect back drop these last few overnights. Tonight being Saturday night, no groups are out. We’ll sleep in a bit after a long week and all wake in our cabin beds to be ready for worship and a restful Sunday.

The Chiefs (completed 8th and 9th grade) hosted their counterparts from Camp Desoto, our sister camp, for a special party. Desoto is operated by our good friends Phil, Marsha, and Sarah Hurt. Our history with Desoto goes all the way back to Dick’s founding of Alpine in 1959 and his friendship with then owners Bess and Brad. Hopefully you saw some of the great photos posted today from the party. Carter and her amazing party crew put on a saure worthy of Southern Living or Garden and Gun. Complete with hand painted signs, cut flowers, and string lights our boys hosted the girls in a number of lawn games, trivia, and activities before a pizza dinner. The evening was topped off with a special visit from a local donut truck!

While our elder statesman entertained, Richard planned a busy afternoon and evening around camp for the rest of us. The Hunters afternoon was epic. A special afternoon game of Slaughterball (Alpine’s version of dodgeball) kicked it off. Next Richard announced they would play Hunter Hydrology, a new one that received confused stares. They quickly learned that was his way of saying they would get to play in the water and mud of the wet weather stream that flows through camp. Yesterday it was still flowing from the previous day’s rain. As I walked by late yesterday afternoon boys laughed and worked together on dams and forts. Of course Richard knew they would conveniently go from there to Shower period before dinner!

Last night’s supper was a picnic buffet outside, serving hamburgers with all the fixin’s. This morning’s breakfast fare was hot oatmeal with brown sugar, scrambled eggs, cinnamon toast, and the yogurt/granola/fruit breakfast bar.

Today’s been a “normal” Alpine day with 5 activity periods, 3 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon, per usual. After a full fun first week, we’ll all sleep well tonight, grateful for a change of pace Sunday tomorrow.

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.