Camp Joseph- A family tradition

Summers just don't seem complete without our family trek up to Camp Joseph in Sharon, VT. We spent the last 4 days there at our ward campout and had such a wonderful time.  

The town of Sharon is charming, and as we drove into the church historical site marking the birthplace of the Prophet, Joseph Smith, I felt, as I have on each previous trip, like I'm in a corner of heaven. It's sacred land and you don't need to be of any particular faith to feel the peace and note the beauty of the memorial site.

Camp Joseph is just a few minutes (or hours if you get lost--AB & Co!) from the memorial site. We love Camp Joseph! Our first trip to Camp Joseph was back in 1998, the year it was dedicated. There were no cabins back then. During our first ward campouts there, we helped build the small cabins that stand today. They are very small, each sleep 4 people (2 bunkbeds) and there's a small path in between the beds with a chair under a small window. There is maybe a foot or so of space at the foot of the beds as well...small space!  The campsite has a lodge, a pavillion, bathrooms with showers and electricity, and wide open spaces. It's been a constant for us each summer; the source of many fond memories. We've also gone in the fall when the foliage is breathtaking.

Some highlights of our '08 Labor Day weekend at Camp Joseph:

• Chasing butterflies
• Finding frogs, crickets, caterpillars, and critters
• The Joseph Smith movie at the Visitors Center (even Caroline named this as her favorite part of our trip)
• The landscaping at the JS Memorial site- they planted veggies w/ the flowers
• Gourmet grub: Camp Joseph shish-kabobs, chili dogs, grilled veggies (asparagus was A+), Santa Maria tri tip (from Trader Joe's), Leisl's foil dinner, Allison's chicken pot pie, Brian's roast, Sat's potluck, garden veggies, Macy's cookies (I need that recipe!)...
• Peaceful sunrises and capturing this sunset...
  
  
• Watching Wesley discover Camp Joseph for the first time (& trying to keep up with pal, G. Watching those chubby legs move as fast as they could down hill was too funny)
• Rolling down grassy hills- this never gets old
• The spectacular star-filled night sky...shooting stars, dancing & smoochin' under the stars
• Getting to know our ward family better- games, late nights, yummy shared meals, "prank war," campfires, inspirational meetings....

• Thomas' first night sleeping in his own hammock
• Gorgeous weather
• Sports for all
• Christening the boat- Yeah, the patch worked!
• Thomas' adventure getting home from the JSM- Lost....sort of.
• S'mores- classic & w/peanut butter cups instead of Hershey's chocolate....mmmm!
• Tree climbing- Grace fell from a 5' branch & landed on a root. She cried and complained her back hurt. I helped her to the hammock and within 5 minutes she was back in the tree. Grace.
• Simply being there.

I have to say that one thing that makes camping enjoyable for me is that Wayne loves it and loves putting everything together. We collaborate on the menu, we both shop, but Wayne does the food at camp, puts together all of the gear, and is my Joe Camper. Fun for him, fun for me. I also love being in a cabin- no worries about rain and we all sleep better than in a tent. A warm shower was a treat each morning. I had to crack up at Caroline...she was filthy everyday, but would complain if her flip-flops got dirty and would rinse them off at the water spout. 

Wes spent his waking hours exploring when he wasn't taking a good, long nap, Caroline says she found love, all of our kids had lots of play time with friends, and Christina and Thomas loved staying up 'til all hours of the night with pals.

We already are looking forward to our next trip to Sharon, VT....such a beautiful, wonderful, family tradition.