Yesterday I returned home and put a pin in my 4th summer as the Camp Director at Barstow. We were able to grow the youth Scout attendance by 27% from 2019 coming out of COVID and with the bankruptcy. Our staff was amazing and really put on a great camp. My own son and his buddy who attended the final week are still buzzing about their camp memories.

I am leaving in 2 hours to drive to 25th Annual High Country Bus Festival in the mountains of North Carolina. A week of sleeping in, tubing down the river and sitting by the campfire is just what the doctor ordered to recover from 5 weeks of sleep deprived staffing at summer camp.

Before leaving we had a really nice closing staff Cracker Barrel to close out the summer. I spent a little too much on staff gifts (according to my wife) but I got the area directors a banner signed by all the staff members. Everyone who had a leadership position got an embroidered Camp Barstow backpack and the entire staff is getting a Staff Neckerchief (as soon as they arrive!). These folks worked so hard for our campers and leaders this summer and I am very proud of the job they did.

I have 234 live auctions on eBay this week with a bunch of those ending tonight. My Wi-fi access at the VW camper festival is going to be limited (at the camp office only) so hopefully I can still get the Hot Finds out next week. All summer my two rock star employees Julie and Barb have kept the eBay business running so I'm sure they can keep it going for a few more weeks while I take some much deserved family vacation.