Went just last week (week 5). It was interesting because the place got rained on just at dusk, and they weren’t ready for it.
One of my parents had independently asked our ranger to H2O proof her tent, so as soon as the rain began he showed up with Duct tape and began repairs for the whole camp (Oceanside - farthest up the valley). This service wan’t provided for the other sites, and lots of pissing and moaning by SM’s ensued ;-) The poor troops out at War Canoe really had a bad time. They had to walk back in the rain, and their gear was soaked!
We did a tent check as soon as it started raining, and as our campers started returning to camp and it looked like we were one short, so I got to walk all the way down to the office to get a search started... I was in the middle of this little exercise (and admittedly scared to death inside) when two of my adults showed up and told me the boy was fine! He had been in a tent playing cards and hadn’t answered to his name being called! Otherwise, we came through that with flying colors.
The food is marginal - but that isn’t why you go there!
Most of the boys had a great time. I had a very young SPL who was being to much the martinet, and thus he got lots of negative feedback, i.e. I could do the job better than you. I’ve been trying to get him to tone it down all week, but he just didn’t have the skills yet (Even though he served as NYLT staff this year). He was ready to quit! My son ( an Eagle just a year ago, and 19 now) helped talk him down a couple of times. When we got back I found some good articles on “Servant Leaders” and also about “herding cats” that I sent him. He seems to get it - but he is going to have to figure out a new style. Such is the trials and tribulations of being an SM ;-)
How was your experience there?
Ours was good, my first time. Cloudy for most of the week, helped keep the temps down, but the waterfront cold. Just a light sprinkle once, nothing major, but those tents worried me.
We were at Big Sur, last site on the left as you went up towards the last sites. Tents were in terrible shape. I had the “Frankenstein” tent, terrible “repair” jobs.
You’re right about the food, nothing to write home about, then again, I haven’t seen too many camps that do. ;^)
Our SPL, young as well, was the exact opposite of yours. Could hardly get him to do his job. Doing his own thing when not attending classes, not attending to his duties. Forgetful, not prepared with notepaper, etc. during the SPL meeting, etc. He made his job tougher than it needed to be. The ASPL was doing all he could to cover for the SPL. Good kids, just need to keep reminding myself that they’re 14, not 40+.
War Canoe was ok, really enjoyed the snorkeling. Lots of wildlife, seals swimming around us, lobster, fish of various kinds, rays, etc. I didn’t like that logistics was a bit lacking to support meal prep, cook, clean-up. CRAPPY charcoal, had to ensure the entire briquet was lit up before you moved it off the pile. We got sand bagged by it because one of our adults was so used to using Kingsford. Took twice as long to cook the meal.
The dive outfit there was ok, one of the boys going out on on Discover SCUBA had a bit of a time with his tank constantly sliding out of its harness and mask leaking. They didn’t replace his harness or mask which didn’t build his confidence in the equipment at all during the in water training. He bailed out and no refund or discount given.
Too much to tell, but all in all, not a bad trip. The Staff were excellent, especially the Field Sports folks on the ranges. Extremely patient. All the boys completed their MB’s and were praising EB during Rose, Bud, Thorn.
And a shoutout to Gene, one of the adult volunteers who was kept busy at the adult coffee bar. Did a great job keeping it going and making good coffee.