Cousin Camp 2012

Clark Cousin Camp I took off on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 and touched back down for farewells on Tuesday, June 26th.  During the week, Nana, Grandpa, Milla, Naomi, Sean, Gwen, Eva, Catherine and Kyah tried sliding down the dunes at, and digging holes in, Bruneau Sand Dunes, and exploring the skies at the observatory.  Swimming at Caldwell pool and at Givens Hot Springs kept us moving and a day exploring the scientific experiments, displays and games at Discovery Center in Boise showed how interested in learning the children are.  We went to the Mysterious Island of Journey 2 following a dinner at Golden Corral  on the last night.  For Saturday evening's popcorn and root beer float night, we asked the campers to decide on a movie to watch at home; the unanimous decision? Planet Earth--Cave episode!  These kids are really into exploration and animals.  'Made earth science teacher grandpa proud.

A trip to the Patterson's small farm was a great hit as the children got to ride in a pony cart, gather eggs in the hen house, bottle feed a couple of calves and jump on the trampoline.  (Every farm should have one of those).  As we left, Cindy Patterson presented us with a BIG bag of cherries from their trees.  Yum.
[First three photos taken in May when we first visited the dunes to check them out.  The observatory where we had a private showing in seen in the third photo.]

Crafts included decorating their sun hats with beads, flowers, and sticky letters (which mostly lost their sticky in the dunes), carving soap, constructing origami frogs which morphed into the much-more-fun mask project and drawing lots of pictures for Nana's refrigerator.

 The swings at the cabins were a big hit.

 Gwen, Catherine, Kyah and Eva enjoy a Grandpa swing.

 The big dunes (450 feet tall) and the Saddle as seen from our cabins.

 Orion and Andromeda, our homes for a night.

 David had the older three children in this cabin, while the four girls kept Nana company in the other one.

 Lengthening shadows.  Those clouds weren't supposed to be there, and almost put a kibosh on our star party, but a private miracle suddenly gave us a clear sky.  Saturn, a double star, Mars and several constellations jumped into view with, and without the telescope as the dark sky was filled with stars, something we don't get to see in the city.

 Pavilion and washrooms (flush toilets and showers) in background.

 Milla's tablet ruled the roost during off times,

 while David found a quiet place for a siesta.

View of the cabins from the pavilion. They look almost as tiny as they were.  We cooked hotdogs and marshmallows on a stick for dinner--the only disaster of the camp. 

 Evidence of a late night at the observatory, Eva, Catherine and Kyah didn't want to wake up.

 But Gwen was out early with her Nana looking for animal tracks in the sand.

 Look closely and you can see the crew climbing the ridge of the dune.

 Ups and downs...

Lone figure (?Eva) ready for a ride. 

 Kyah is off...as soon as she takes the brakes off!

 There she goes.

 Catherine's got it down.

 Go, Gwen, lean back!

 The lake at the back side of the dunes formed when farmers around the dunes began irrigating the land, raising the water table.  The picture is fuzzy because the camera was inside a plastic bag to keep the wind from blowing sand into it. 

 Kyah (above) and Sean (below) dig for the ??? anyway, they hit cool, moist sand--pleasant on a hot morning.

 Catherine, Kyah and Gwen perch on the edges of their pits, watching the sand flow into the holes.

 How long do you think the holes lasted?

The digging site is visible almost all the way up the dune.

Nana and Grandpa get a turn on the swing and a photo thanks to Gwen.  Weird smile, Nana.   

The Mask Parade.

 These kids are very clever when it comes to hiding their identity.

 Sean tried to avoid the camera; almost made it!  He was a real good sport about 

being the only boy cousin at camp.

Monday morning at the Boise Discovery Center.

 Naomi, Eva and Gwen explore the mirrors.

 Faster, Eva..the lights are beginning to flicker on.

 Grandpa and Gwen admire the (safe) tornado.

 Shark attack in the broadcast room!

 Milla explores the weather maker.

 Was that a shocking experience, Gwen?

 Naomi and Milla learn about centrifugal force.

 Kyah raises the nails under Gwen--ouch!

 Kyah's turn on the torture table...or smile bed.

 Eva shopped at a fast pace; I couldn't even get one good photo of her.

 Flowers for Nana from Gwen.

Meanwhile, Eva is discovering which ball floats best, and it isn't the football!

Grandpa finally agreed to try out the bed of nails--not bad.

Back at the store, Sean, Catherine, Kyah and Milla check out.

 "Do we have enough money for our groceries?" 

Monday afternoon at the Patterson home, Eva finds a friend

 and Amanda Patterson take Kyah and Catherine for a ride.

 Off you go, Naomi and Gwen.

 Catherine convinced this cow that she had something good in her hand...must have been flavored air.

 An egg hunt in June.

 Two of the three calves were still being bottle fed.  Here Milla, Naomi and Sean play with them while Cindy prepares the bottles.

 Naomi tries to make friends with the miniature stallion.  He wasn't too friendly,

 but the dog liked attention.

 Good-bye to the ponies.

 We had quite a time rounding everyone up to go home, they loved being around the animals.

Tuesday...going home day.  CarrieAnn and Shannon arrived to take the campers home.  

Free time at the neighborhood playground.

 A truck full of love, with Shannon and David reflected in the tailgate.

Ana, Sean, Gwen, Kyah, Eva, Thomas, Catherine, CarrieAnn

(back) Naomi, Milla.

We are looking forward to Cousin Camp II--after we return from our mission.  We love our grandchildren!