S
ScotO
Guest
Tried to get the whole scout troop together for a campout this weekend, but only one other dad and I could make it. Busy weekend as the kids in our area start school tomorrow, but I took my son and my buddy took his, and we had a great weekend at camp.
We generally have several camp-outs throughout the fall and winter, and also in spring. So we spent the weekend collecting some firewood, cleaning up the camp (trimming weeds, trees, etc), and also did a project with the boys....we built a new keyhole firepit.....
The old pit was nothing more that a heaped up pile of rocks in a oval shape....tripping hazards everywhere and it looked terrible. But it was probably there for over 30 years and needed a revamp....
We took the boys up on the ridge and gathered all new rocks, explaining to them what to look for in good masonry rocks. They did a great job, and learned a lot too.
Found some "chicken of the woods" mushrooms while scavenging rocks.....those bright orange 'shrooms glow in the dark forest....
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109522-0ad15e0ea9c2f7b1c4c2e74fbb6f6209.jpg)
After the old rocks and ash were cleaned out and the area leveled, it was time to build the pit.
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109524-36ef81c20a07888c19c35f62d0bbda5f.jpg)
Kids helped out, learned a lot, and did a great job. Not to mention we started our fire with the bow drill friction method. They ate a well-earned supper of foil packed vegetables cooked on the coals, and burgers and cheddar bratwursts....
Even had some bacon, sausage, taters and eggs on the firepit this morning for breakfast...
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109529-48a136d848182a08e210e9cff11e1339.jpg)
I gotta say I really enjoy spending time with my youngest son. I love all three of my kids more than life itself, but he's a lot like his old man. He loves the woods, loves to learn to do things himself, and is just a pleasure to be around. He reminds me so much of my Grandpa, who passed 8 years ago and was and still is my biggest hero.......
We generally have several camp-outs throughout the fall and winter, and also in spring. So we spent the weekend collecting some firewood, cleaning up the camp (trimming weeds, trees, etc), and also did a project with the boys....we built a new keyhole firepit.....
The old pit was nothing more that a heaped up pile of rocks in a oval shape....tripping hazards everywhere and it looked terrible. But it was probably there for over 30 years and needed a revamp....
We took the boys up on the ridge and gathered all new rocks, explaining to them what to look for in good masonry rocks. They did a great job, and learned a lot too.
Found some "chicken of the woods" mushrooms while scavenging rocks.....those bright orange 'shrooms glow in the dark forest....
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109522-0ad15e0ea9c2f7b1c4c2e74fbb6f6209.jpg)
After the old rocks and ash were cleaned out and the area leveled, it was time to build the pit.
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109523-387ec1cdac070bacb84b187d5555dc29.jpg)
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109524-36ef81c20a07888c19c35f62d0bbda5f.jpg)
Kids helped out, learned a lot, and did a great job. Not to mention we started our fire with the bow drill friction method. They ate a well-earned supper of foil packed vegetables cooked on the coals, and burgers and cheddar bratwursts....
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109525-f7ef9865bcc327b4587351b4211c831a.jpg)
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109526-06d98bebb0e0f18dde91fc5f6b4a2eb3.jpg)
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109527-7e1a46b6225678c853f463afc90c0f24.jpg)
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109528-0f8048ca09805ef0b3074f5319eaf63b.jpg)
Even had some bacon, sausage, taters and eggs on the firepit this morning for breakfast...
![Last hoorah before school starts..... Last hoorah before school starts.....](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/109/109529-48a136d848182a08e210e9cff11e1339.jpg)
I gotta say I really enjoy spending time with my youngest son. I love all three of my kids more than life itself, but he's a lot like his old man. He loves the woods, loves to learn to do things himself, and is just a pleasure to be around. He reminds me so much of my Grandpa, who passed 8 years ago and was and still is my biggest hero.......